I've barely fished crankbaits but with the summer here and some fish in deeper water I figure it's time to throw them.

 

To me, it seems like you can break them up into 3 categories? Squarebills, medium, and deep. Right?

 

Can you get by with one or is two really ideal, or heck even three?

 

For right now, I'm just looking to purchase one.

 

I know it's almost an impossible question to answer, but what would you recommend?

 

Do I get one that can throw squarebills and mediums? Mediums and deep?

 

I do have a dedicated rod for jerkbaits that I threw a 3XD on the other day. It seemed to work fine but I normally always have a jerkbait rigged up so that rod is normally in service.

 

I'm probably leaning towards the medium/deep, for some reason I don't see myself throwing a bunch of squarebills. Probably because I never have. But would a rod that throws squarebills also be good for treble hooked topwater lures?

 

Sorry, I'm rambling.       Thoughts?

 

Makes and models?

 

I've been buying high end rods lately but I doubt I need a $650 rod for a crankbait. Maybe a step down from that?

 

THANKS!

 

 

 

 

I have one.   I throw mostly square bills and maybe 6 foot deep cranks.    I don’t love fishing a deep diver since it always pulls me around on my kayak.  But I go try occasionally to run them deep.  (Exhausting too)

 

my single rod is the Orrichi Bandersnatch.  It’s been pretty good.  Very good actually.  It multi-tasks like a boss.    It gets such crazy distance in casting : effortlessly 

I use the same rods for cranks that I do for shaky, 7’6”m square bills, RK and warts.

On the high end... Megabass p5 javelin... Lower budget.. Dobyns champion 704cb or 705cb..non glass versions... 

P5 Madbull, obviously. Obviously.

Javelin too. People love that rod.

 

71 MH Valkyrie, also obviously.

 

($500 is a step down from $650.)

 

I have an old Flatside Special that I use for DT 6, 8, 10 and 1.5 squarebills. The thing bends just about in half instantly so it's poor for jerkbaits and walking topwaters. I don't throw crankbaits that often so it gets benched most (all) of the year and the squarebills go on something else.

 

Jerkbait rods tend to make good topwater rods; harder to say for squarebills. Squarebill rods strike me as very personal and it depends on your use. Are you trying to deflect off wood? Rock? Get a little hung in grass and rip?

 

The nice thing is squarebills seem to work on a wide variety of rods.

 

The above recommendation of an X10 Bandersnatch is a good shout as well for a versatile moving bait rod.

 

@PGA Dropout  reminds me of a good point. I don’t love the BanderSnatch for jerkbaits. 

I personally prefer Dobyns action for crankbaits over any other brands I've tried. In my case I have a Kaden 735cb and that one is good but would suggest looking at the Champ XP 735 glass. Good action for average crankbaits, lipless crankbaits, walking baits, and smaller bladed jigs.

33 minutes ago, PGA Dropout said:

Are you trying to deflect off wood? Rock? Get a little hung in grass and rip?

 

 

Good question, thanks for asking.

 

Very little wood in the lakes I fish, mainly 3 close ones.

 

The lake I really want to get more familiar with has a ton of rock in it. They did a multi million dollar project on it. Tons of riprap added, etc. Last year I watched a guy bang crankbaits off of rocks and caught a 4 lber. He was maybe in 8 feet of water, not sure. This lake is also by far the deepest and clearest. There's a lot of 20+ feet of water.

 

My main smaller lake has a bunch of grass and I rip swim jigs all the time in it. Works great. Max depth is only like 15 feet. The other lake maxes out around 20 and there's not much of it. The majority of the deep water is roughly 14 ft.

2 minutes ago, HawkeyeSmallie said:

 

Good question, thanks for asking.

 

Very little wood in the lakes I fish, mainly 3 close ones.

 

The lake I really want to get more familiar with has a ton of rock in it. They did a multi million dollar project on it. Tons of riprap added, etc. Last year I watched a guy bang crankbaits off of rocks and caught a 4 lber. He was maybe in 8 feet of water, not sure. This lake is also by far the deepest and clearest. There's a lot of 20+ feet of water.

 

My main smaller lake has a bunch of grass and I rip swim jigs all the time in it. Works great. Max depth is only like 15 feet. The other lake maxes out around 20 and there's not much of it. The majority of the deep water is roughly 14 ft.

 

Run squarebill into rock. Squarebill bounce off rock. Bass eat Squarebill.

 

Repeat.

 

A little slower or softer rod is good there. I run into trouble getting hung up with squarebills on a faster rod.

3 minutes ago, PGA Dropout said:

 

Run squarebill into rock. Squarebill bounce off rock. Bass eat Squarebill.

 

Repeat.

 

A little slower or softer rod is good there. I run into trouble getting hung up with squarebills on a faster rod.

 

Yeah I fished that area and lost a brand new crankbait within 5 minutes.

 

I was on the shore (jetty) so getting it out wasn't on the menu.

 

BTW, were you a golfer?

13 minutes ago, HawkeyeSmallie said:

 

Yeah I fished that area and lost a brand new crankbait within 5 minutes.

 

I was on the shore (jetty) so getting it out wasn't on the menu.

 

BTW, were you a golfer?

 

Yes, one knee ago. I'm the worst 7 handicap you've ever seen. 😂

 

There's also some very nice glass rods in Expride and Adrena lines that are worth a look. Easier to find than a Valkyrie but not quite as cool. 

7 minutes ago, PGA Dropout said:

 

Yes, one knee ago. I'm the worst 7 handicap you've ever seen. 😂

 

 

Oh ok, I thought maybe you tried making the tour or something.

 

My boy plays D1 college right now.

 

I quit playing and just fish now. No regrets!!!!!

3 minutes ago, HawkeyeSmallie said:

 

Oh ok, I thought maybe you tried making the tour or something.

 

My boy plays D1 college right now.

 

I quit playing and just fish now. No regrets!!!!!

 

Oh gosh no, not the Tour. Just wanted to be a PGA Professional. Could never get my knee right enough to play the 36 holes for the playing test.

 

Fishing is better anyway. No regrets indeed.

Dobyns 764cb.  I’ve had mine four 14 years.  You throw 3/8 to 3/4 ounce baits regardless of what depth they run.  I use it for lipless up to a 6XD.  It was designed for the Deep Little N but can handle bigger divers.

I run two crankbait rods.

 

A 7’ Tatula glass M/R (regular is like mod fast) for open water.

 

A 7’2” Daiwa Tatula Glass MH/R for deep divers but it also has a bit more tip so it works for square bills in grass. The M/R model definitely throws them further, but sometimes I just take this one with me on my kayak and change the lure out. It’s still passable for open water use. You can also overload it a little and it works well, 6xds cast fine.

 

My kid has a Dobyns Fury 705cb. That does well for general use but tops out with a 5XD - but there are lighter deeper cranks you can use like the River2Sea Tactical Bassin models. Dobyns also makes a glass rod in the champion line that will handle heavier lures well.

I have the IMX Pro Deep Flex 866C and I have thrown from a 3/8oz to 1oz crankbait on it.  It struggled a little with a 3/8oz but the tip is soft enough to cast it. I believe it has been discontinued but a few places still have it. It really shines with cranks in the 6ft to 15ft range. 

I’m sorta leaning towards Dobyns right now. That or the Loomis IMX crankbait rods.

 

If possible, I’m hoping to get something to throw 3XD’s up to 6XD’ds.

 

I should have something for shallower water and if I get in the real deep stuff I’m sure that’s going to be a whole different setup.

FWIW I personally feel the 735 series does good up to the 5xd mark but for the 6xd type lures I like the 736cb in the champ xp line. You could probably get away with one on a 5xd but wouldn't be ideal. Right now I think the 2 adrena crankbait models or the champ xp 735cb and 736cb ones are the best options out there in terms of bang for the buck. I would probably get the champ over the kaden if I had to do it again, but not enough of a difference for me to sell my current kaden and swap it. The 736 / bigger adrena is what I'd use for bladed jigs and 6xd type lures and the 735 would be my go to for lipless cranks, medium size cranks, spooks and jerkbaits. 

Yeah I’m definitely looking at the Champion XP series.

 

Eyes on the 804CB currently. Also the 805CB.

 

Looks like the only difference is medium vs med hvy.

I’m going to say if you don’t even know if you want to throw deep diving crank baits why are looking to spend top dollar? Just my opinion but heck there are a ton of options anywhere from the $99.00 13 Fishing Oath Crankbait Bait rods to Mega Bass rods that will all work and if it’s not your cup of tea you can sell the rod for a loss as it’s used or start out on the cheaper end and upgrade if it’s something you feel you like. Me personally I throw my crank baits on a couple of BPS crankin sticks and love em but hey to each their own.

Lots of suggested rods.   No subjective measurements of what the rods actually are for power and action.  Oh how nice it would be know what the numbers (CCS) are for some of these "great rods."  

41 minutes ago, Eric 26 said:

I’m going to say if you don’t even know if you want to throw deep diving crank baits why are looking to spend top dollar?

Oh I know I do, I just haven’t yet.

 

Threw the 3XD last week or so and enjoyed it. Want to keep throwing it and deeper.

 

I can get one of those Dobyns right now to my door for around $230. That ain’t bad and a hell of a lot cheaper than my last rod purchases.

Just now, HawkeyeSmallie said:

Oh I know I do, I just haven’t yet.

 

Threw the 3XD last week or so and enjoyed it. Want to keep throwing it and deeper.

 

I can get one of those Dobyns right now to my door for around $230. That ain’t bad and a hell of a lot cheaper than my last rod purchases.

I really enjoyed this response 👍🏻 the only thing I will add is I’m a sucker for the latest rod/reel purchases thread so some pictures would be cool if you’re up to posting when you make your final decision 😉

Im not a huge dobyns guy ( great rods just not what i prefer) but they do make a great crankbait rod. a 734 or 735 will handle most small to medium crankbaits pretty well. around here in summer our fish get pretty deep you need a 6 8 or even 10xd sized gait to get down to them. the best rod i have found for that is the 806cb champion. i use that one alot this time of year and it is fantastic for big deep diving plugs.

IDK, I think looking for a "perfect" rod to handle 3XD up to 6XD might be a pipe dream.

 

It's either going to be too light for the 6XD or too heavy for the 3XD.

 

I think it needs to be up to 5XD.

 

6XD and up needs a whole different stick.

 

Still looking to just purchase one right now. Wife wouldn't be too happy as I've already purchased a high end combo this year. 

 

The search continues.