Pinnacle Perfecta Cast Rod 7'8" Med Hvy Cranking (DHC5-781CAMHCB Cranking)

TW delivered my cranking rod today, and I went out for a couple of hours to my local lake. I don't have a cranking reel yet, so I took off my Citica (spooled with 10 lb Sufix Elite) from another rod and slapped it on.

FWIW, these are my first impressions.

Although the action is described as *moderate*, it felt more like moderate-fast.

I usually don't care about looks, but certainly I have seen better looking $150+ rods.

The reel felt a bit wobbly unless the screw was tightened down really really hard.

The rod felt a tad overpowered. It's rated for 3/8 to 1 oz. I started with a 5/8 oz LC pointer 100SP. This is my first pointer and I bought it today, so I don't know if it's the rod; but I could cast it barely 50-60 feet, and the rod is 7'8".

Dwelled enough on the points I don't like too much. Casting performance with a 3/4 oz red eye shad was impressive. Even with 2 brakes on out of 6, I was getting 45-50 yards casts, which is a noticeable improvement over my 7' MH/F Shimano Compre + same Citica. I had only 3 strikes, 2 on the pointer and 1 on the red eye shad. All 3 bass were less than a pound, and I landed all of them. The rod kept the pressure on the dinks nicely. Sensitivity is excellent (at least for a cranking stick). Feeling strikes/ structures and hook-set performance was pretty good.

In the end, I am happy with the purchase; but not overjoyed (like I was when I bought and fished with my Powell Max). In fact I chose the Pinnacle over a Powell Max cranking, and the Quantum KVD signature 7'10". I still have to find out whether the $169.99 was well spent.

Oh, and I was wondering if a Revo Winch would be a good fit for this rod.

EDIT:

Follow up:

I take back my comment about the taper. It's moderate all right. Took out the rod for another spin today. I got snagged a couple of times, the top half of the rod bent nicely when I put enough pressure. I got 70+ yard casts with the 3/4 ounce red eye shad, and 30-40 yards with a SPRO swimbait (4", 7/8 ounces) today. It does load up well with the right (heavier) lures. I still think it's under-rated for its lure range.