OK, I'm looking online for some spinning rods that will handle at least 1/4-3/4. This will cover the majority of bass cranks, topwaters, and jerkbaits. I know that I will have better luck with a casting rod, but I think I am going to stick with spinning gear for awhile seeing how my fishing is only done for recreation and fun. I know my fishing would be benefited my casting gear with better casting and more power, but I'll pass those up for not having to worry about backlashes killing my fishing trip.

Anyway, I found a couple different ros that are listing various models as cranks/topwater and crankbait. The problem is, these rods are fast action graphite rods. I always thought a moderate action composite or glass rod was the norm. I have had a couple fish shake the hooks easily while fishing cranks when fishing with my Lighting rod. But I have only had one fish shake the hooks when using a glass rod. The problem is, you don;t find many quality glass rods these days. And the only composites I know of are Ugly Stik Lites, Cabela's Whuppin Stick, bass pro cranking stick(only in casting). The Whuppin is the only one that covers up to 3/4 which is needed for larger plugs and deeper cranks when trolling.

Can I get away, or I should say would you reccommend using a fast action graphite for cranks/tops etc? Or should I stick to composite glass with a more moderate/slower action?

Any rod recommendations would be appreciated, prefferably under $100.

I just found this rod, the reviews are great. All 8 reviews are 4-5 stars praising sensitivity and performance. Problem is it is graphite, and may not be a good cranking rod. It's only $80, priced well enough that I could get two, a ML and MH. These rods may be used for trolling too, is graphite a good choice for trolling? I have heard of them snapping, but I suppose drag setting would help this.

There is nothing wrong with graphite, in fact, with the exception of very deep divers with heavy resistance, I much prefer graphite crankbait rods over glass.  The big difference in the two is physical weight- the glass is much heavier. Look to find a graphite rod in mod-fast or moderate action and it will act much like a glass rod only lighter and more sensitive.

You can use a fast action but the two thing you want to remember is to loosen your drag extra and use it as a cushion and be sure to use mono as it will also give you a little extra cushion.

For most treble hook lures (crankbaits, jerkbaits and topwater) I fish a couple of graphite rods:

St. Croix Avid AC66MF which has a soft tip

St. Croix Avid AC70MM which is a traditional graphite rod with Moderate Action

Fenwick Techna AV AVS70MM, spinning tackle used mostly for night fishing

For heavy lures and deep-diving baits, I prefer glass.

Specifically, Lamiglas SR705R designed by Skeet Reese (2007 AOY)

As an "all-around" treble hook rod, my recommendation is the AC66MF which you might find on sale for either side of $100 during the St. Croix liquidation sale at some retailers. (The company is introducing a new Avid series).

Ok, until recently I never owned a technique/lure specialized rod, for more than two decades what I 've been doing to compensate the stiffness of pure graphite rods for fishing treble hooked baits is to reduce the power for a lighter power rod, for cranks depending upon cover I use a ML or M power rod with a fast tip, what I gained was the enhanced sensitivity of graphite, something that allows me to fish a crankbait through very heavy timber and brush, I can manuever the crank because I can feel what it 's hitting. When I fished with my old glass rod such thing was almost imposible to do.

Back in Dec. I purchased my first specialized rod, a Kistler Mag TS crankbait rod, even though I hate the reel seat I find the blank to be not only light but very sensitive ( not as sensitive as a pure good quality graphite rod ) but sensitive enough to allow me manuever the bait through the cover, as for the behavior of the blank compared to my pure graphite ML and Ms, it sure does bend like a ML when under pressure.