I've never had a rod dedicated just to crankbaits, but after using a friends recently I think I am going to pick one up to use with traps, spinnerbaits, cranks, and maybe jerkbaits.  I am looking to stay inexpensive at least at first just in case I don't like it.  With that being said, I'm considering either the BPS Crankin Stick or I see BPS has the KVD Quantum crankbait series rods on sale.  Anyone have experience with either of these, or can you suggest other options in the under $100 range?

All Star and StCroix have several under 100 crankin sticks, between them and BPS or Quantum it 's a no brainer.

I guess I will look into those.  Like I said I've never thought I would want a dedicated crankbait rod so I've never done a lot of research on them.

I was in the same boat as you.  I never thought I would own a crankbait specific rod either.  Now I own 2 Loomis crankbait rods and love them.  You can't beat a rod designed just to fish cranks.  It feels much better for this application.  They also double nicely as a topwater & jerkbait rod.  These rods run about $180-$200.  I know that is more than you want to spend but you won't be sorry if you get one.  I think I just may have to pick up antother one ; )

The crankbait rod I have used is a Loomis, and they are great and light, etc.  However, I can't justify my first Loomis being a crankbait rod.  Now, if I were to first buy a GLX rod for jigs and plastics, and then a spining rod for finesse fishing, maybe I could then justify a Loomis crankbait rod.   Hmm........

Shimano Compre cranking rod.  Perfect for me.  I initially bought the M power one, but it was just too weak for the majority of my cranking (Deep and lipless cranks 75% of the time).  It had a hard time casting big cranks like DD22's and really didn't have enough backbone to rip lipless crankbaits effectively.  I stepped up to the MH and I couldn't be happier.  Perfect.

I have two rods that I use for cranks.  One is the loomis cr722glx.  this little gem is feather light, you can feel every bit of wobble or if it bumps anything.

the other is a st croix tournament bass medium action. Used for the bigger cranks and topwaters.  Not as sensative as the glx but with the bigger baits it's not so much an issue.

St. Croix Premier about $90 each. I bought 2 of them a couple of years ago with the intention of upgrading to Loomis in the future. These work great and I do not plan on upgrading and if they break I will just replace with the same rod. Another option is to buy a cheap IM6 rod at Wal-Mart for like $20? Low end rods have more of a parobolic flex that you are looking for. The downside would be that they are heavier and not built very well but you are not out much money.

Allen

IMO any brand just as long as it is FIBERGLASS!  

I've been looking at the Shimano Convergence 7' MH.  I think I handled just about every rod at Gander Mountain the other evening and compared weight, balance, action, etc. and of course, price, and I thought

this would fit the bill for cranking.  I even compared it with a St. Croix and I just thought thie Shimano felt better.  Of course, handling in the store and actually using the rod are two separate things.  Does anyone have any experience with this rod for crank baits?

I would suggest Allstar in the category as well.  GREAT rods!

I have found that my crankbait rod is my "general purpose" rod. I fish 90% of all treble hooks, spinnerbaits and buzzbaits with a St. Croix Avid AC66MF (soft tip.) For light lures (X-Rap) and at night, I fish a Fenwick Techna AV, AVS70MM. For big treble hooks (Pointer 128) and deep divers, Lamiglass SR705R (glass), Heavy Power/ Slow Action. All three of these rods run about $160.

As a more general recommendation, I suggest a 6 1/2' or 7' Medium Power/ Moderate Action rod.

I've been looking at the Shimano Convergence 7' MH. I think I handled just about every rod at Gander Mountain the other evening and compared weight, balance, action, etc. and of course, price, and I thought

this would fit the bill for cranking. I even compared it with a St. Croix and I just thought thie Shimano felt better. Of course, handling in the store and actually using the rod are two separate things. Does anyone have any experience with this rod for crank baits?

They are well worth it  and they have a lifetime warrenty also a 39$ rod with a warrenty like that plus it does the job also cant beat that