I'm looking for a rod to throw my small to medium crank baits, I can't decide if I need a medium moderate or medium moderate fast or even a medium heavy. And I cannot decide on rod material because I've heard mixed opinions.

A medium heavy won't be good with your 1/8oz small baits. A medium sized bait I assume is like a KVD 1.5 and if you want the rod to do both I would go to a medium fast spinning rod. It would be probably the best for both weights. I would look at a working range of 1/8 to 1/2 oz. 

14 minutes ago, Brycecover said:

I'm looking for a rod to throw my small to medium crank baits, I can't decide if I need a medium moderate or medium moderate fast or even a medium heavy. And I cannot decide on rod material because I've heard mixed opinions.

Fixed your tiny font for us who don’t see as well in our older age. 😉

 

Casting or spinning preference? Price limits? Reel model? I ask about the reel because some casting reels can handle surprisingly light baits these days, paired with right rod.

If you want casting, I highly recommend the Daiwa Tatula Elite 7' ML rod. Works great with lighter, smaller cranks.

 

https://www.omniafishing.com/p/daiwa-tatula-elite-2023-casting-rods

 

Paired up with a Daiwa Tatula SV TW 70...makes a super fun setup to fish.

 

https://www.omniafishing.com/p/daiwa-tatula-sv-tw-70-casting-reel

11 minutes ago, RipzLipz said:

Fixed your tiny font for us who don’t see as well in our older age. 😉

 

Casting or spinning preference? Price limits? Reel model? I ask about the reel because some casting reels can handle surprisingly light baits these days, paired with right rod.

I have a Daiwa tatula 80 to go with whatever rod I get 

5 minutes ago, NorthernBasser said:

If you want casting, I highly recommend the Daiwa Tatula Elite 7' ML rod. Works great with lighter, smaller cranks.

 

https://www.omniafishing.com/p/daiwa-tatula-elite-2023-casting-rods

 

Paired up with a Daiwa Tatula SV TW 70...makes a super fun setup to fish.

 

https://www.omniafishing.com/p/daiwa-tatula-sv-tw-70-casting-reel

I have the tatula 80 already, same rod? I was thinking about medium light but I feel like I might need more power on my rod for hooksets

@Brycecover Don’t need power hooksets when fishing trebles as much, hence the advent of composite & return in popularity of glass rods.

 

Dobyns makes some good cranking rods, both graphite & glass, as do many other manufacturers. I just have a couple Dobyns & have been pleased with them.

25 minutes ago, Brycecover said:

I have a Daiwa tatula 80 to go with whatever rod I get 

I have the tatula 80 already, same rod? I was thinking about medium light but I feel like I might need more power on my rod for hooksets

Yeah that would work. And like RipzLipz said, you don't need power for this technique. Once you feel the weight of the fish at the end of your line, you just kind of keep reeling and sweep your rod to one side. That's usually enough to do it. Especially if you have sharp hooks. In colder months/water, I may get a little more aggressive with it just because the bass' mouth is a little tougher than when the water is warm.

 

If you're fishing smaller/lighter cranks, this rod does the trick. 

12 hours ago, RipzLipz said:

@Brycecover Don’t need power hooksets when fishing trebles as much, hence the advent of composite & return in popularity of glass rods.

 

Dobyns makes some good cranking rods, both graphite & glass, as do many other manufacturers. I just have a couple Dobyns & have been pleased with them.

What material should I look for? What 

When I started to dip my toe into BFS, I was looking for a similar rod but maybe not something that would throw up to 1/2oz.. I did find one that can (it might struggle a little at the heavy end), the Megabass P5 Six Eleven.  I have thrown 1/8 cranks easily on it and as heavy as the OSP Blitz Max. It has become one my favorite rods. It loads up perfectly for small cranks and is soft enough to keep the fish pinned. 

 

If you can order it at a JDM price, it's one best bangs for the buck I have found. 

1 hour ago, Brycecover said:

What material should I look for? What 

As I stated in my last post, I use Dobyns rods & can only attest for those. If you’re going for a different brand, I’d suggest physically holding one in hand. Regardless of blank material, I wouldn't assume a Daiwa cranking rod, for example, to be the same stiffness as a Dobyns. It’s what suits you best is what I feel is key, not what I prefer/suggest. I say this because the cranking/reaction bait rods I have are pretty much the same stiffness to me regardless of blank material, however I would only be making assumptions in regards to other brand’s cranking rods material differences or lack there of.

 

I would suggest you have a lure weight range in mind & narrow down rods made for that range. I’ve never minded going 1/4oz or a bit more over a rod’s maximum suggested lure weight. Going under the minimum may result in casting difficulties (distance, accuracy, backlash).

3 hours ago, RipzLipz said:

As I stated in my last post, I use Dobyns rods & can only attest for those. If you’re going for a different brand, I’d suggest physically holding one in hand. Regardless of blank material, I wouldn't assume a Daiwa cranking rod, for example, to be the same stiffness as a Dobyns. It’s what suits you best is what I feel is key, not what I prefer/suggest. I say this because the cranking/reaction bait rods I have are pretty much the same stiffness to me regardless of blank material, however I would only be making assumptions in regards to other brand’s cranking rods material differences or lack there of.

 

I would suggest you have a lure weight range in mind & narrow down rods made for that range. I’ve never minded going 1/4oz or a bit more over a rod’s maximum suggested lure weight. Going under the minimum may result in casting difficulties (distance, accuracy, backlash).

so I’m pretty limited in store, I do have academy and sportsman’s warehouse nearby but I mean both don’t have much stock on them. Neither have the exact rods I want to feel. What dobyns rod would you recommend specifically? The Kaden series? I’m trying to stay under 200. 

I like a M F for smaller shallow cranks, especially squarebills.

55 minutes ago, Brycecover said:

so I’m pretty limited in store, I do have academy and sportsman’s warehouse nearby but I mean both don’t have much stock on them. Neither have the exact rods I want to feel. What dobyns rod would you recommend specifically? The Kaden series? I’m trying to stay under 200. 

What weight range of lures do you plan on using? Lure model is fine as well as long as I can look up weight of lure. That will help in selecting/advice from me.

 

I haven’t used Kadens only Champion XP & on up (in cost). If you’re quick (like by midnight tonight), you can possibly get a Champion XP glass or graphite for anywhere from just under $200 to just under $220 (longer rods cost more), shipped, no tax. These would be anywhere from 6’3" to 7’6". Tackle Warehouse should also be having their rod sale soon but no guarantees Dobyns is going to be included.

 

Dobyns rod model codes are something like DC765 CB GLASS. The DC is code for model, 765 is length & power. My example is 7’6" & a 5 power (MH). CB is crankbait, and finally GLASS is obvious I’d hope. I would recommend a 4 power (M) rod regardless of length. Not many, if any at all, will be rated for lures under 1/4oz for their cranking rods.

 

Sent you a PM.

I use a Dobyns champion graphite 704cb. I love it, and it can cast a Rapala Tiny 4 quite easily. It’s a pretty light bait. I love it. It’s super light and comfortable. On sale right now at ALF

48 minutes ago, waymont said:

I use a Dobyns champion graphite 704cb. I love it, and it can cast a Rapala Tiny 4 quite easily. It’s a pretty light bait. I love it. It’s super light and comfortable. On sale right now at ALF

I own that same rod & love it as well. Very versatile rod. Hammered smallies on a prop bait with it last June up at Rainy Lake. I’d even go for a 703CB if they made one - would be perfect for smallmouth & lighter trebled lures.