I'm looking at getting a St. Croix Premier PC66MM for crankbaits.  I was just wondering what you guys think of it.  Also, should I be looking at the Medium Heavy instead of the Medium power?  So far I'm liking the M but I was just wondering what you like for you cranks.

Thanks

kbkindle here   i like a med with a fast tip   but i use braid and it gives me a little give. kb

For crank baits I like a rod that a lot of forgiveness, I use a MMF rod. I can't tell you about a St Croix rod as I don't have any.

Happy Holidays!

In their e-glass series I use a 6'6" MedHvy power Mod tip action, for larger deep divers.

In their graphite I like the 6'8" Med power Extra Fast tip action. for smaller shallow divers.

Tight Lines!!!  

I own several ST CROIX Premier rods and I like the MF for shallow to mid-depth cranking. I have a 7'MF and a 6'6"MF, both are great for crankbaits. Great rods IMHO.

Shallow to Med divers - M power

Deep divers - MH

I have been using M power rod for the past 3 years, but the last year and a half I have really started getting into deep cranking.  IMO the crankbait rod I have doesn't have enough backbone to cast bigger cranks.  I will be adding a MH crankn' rod when I have some extra money.  For all around though you can get away with a M power rod though.

It depends on the rod company.  For Loomis, the CBR845 is the most versatile (IMHO), and I can throw 1/4oz baits without a problem.  I use the 845 significantly more than my 843, which is a little lacking in power.  So for Loomis, you would want a MH and a H for deeper baits.  If you went St. Croix, I would go M for 1/2oz and under, and a MH for larger baits.  So get both!

Shallow to Med divers - M power

Deep divers - MH

I have been using M power rod for the past 3 years, but the last year and a half I have really started getting into deep cranking.  IMO the crankbait rod I have doesn't have enough backbone to cast bigger cranks.  I will be adding a MH crankn' rod when I have some extra money.  For all around though you can get away with a M power rod though.

If I'm going to a deep lake I will do this too.  Pulling in a deep diving crank on a medium rod can feel like your pulling in a whale.

It 's not about power it 's about action.

Back then in the age of the dinosaurs when I started to fish there were no graphite crankbait rods, the way to compensate the stiffness of the tip was to reduce the power, but now since there are crankbait specific rods with moderate actions there 's no point in getting a "general prupose " medium rod for crankbaiting, you select the power depending upon your needs the action will be the same.

Very little cover you can go with a medium, lots of cover you can go with a medium heavy.

I certainly like very forgiving rods when the temps drop into the low 50's.

Bass are really starting to get lethargic, and their bites are subtle sometimes, even on cranks with trebles.

The forgiving rod makes up for an aggressive hookset, or loading up the rod to quick.

As usual, good info all around on this topic.

Matt.

For larger deep divers or for shallow cranking in heavy cover, I like a MH.

For smaller baits and open water, I like M and even ML for some baits.

Brad