I've got a cheepo spinning rod I've been using for lighter bait and a crucial 7' medium heavy.

This bass pro shop gift cert is burning a hole in my pocket and it's time for a cranking rod.

I was thinking a 7' medium or medium heavy cranking rod would round out the quiver. These will be the three rods I'm working with until I replace the spinning setup next year.

Any suggestions on m vs. mh? Something different entirely?

THanks a lot for any advice. Just getting into this and I love it.

Clack

Well first off, I would use a bait caster for cranks if you can, otherwise, the spinning gear will keep the crank or spinner baits twirling.  If you feel more comfortable with spinning gear, I would put a barrel swivel on the bait to keep it from twirling while retrieving.

Now, with that said... I would get a medium rod with a fast action tip.  Something that is very soft in the tip, that way when a bass engulfs the bait, the rod will give so you don't jerk it out of its mouth. 

I know that BPS has a Crankin' Stick that is out of this world great!!!!  I would recommend that, but I do not know if they make a spinning Crankin stick. 

I would also recommend a 7' rod, that will help you make longer casts.  Hope this helps.

the spinning gear will keep the crank or spinner baits twirling.

What are talking about?  That couldn't be farther from the truth.  :-?

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I use a Medium power, moderate action rods for small cranks up to mid divers.

For the big diving plugs, I use a MH mod. action rod.

BPS Cranking Sticks Are a good deal if you don't want to spend a fortune.

I use St. Croix Avids, AVC70MM and AVC70MHM

Thanks guys. I am getting another baitcaster for my cranking rod and putting a curado e5 on it as I've got an e7 on my crucial and kind of like the idea of having the "same" reel.

So, for one "all around" cranking rod, a 7' medium gets the vote?

Was planning on spending up to $130 but am definately happy to spend less if there's a great value rod.

Any other suggestions? Was thinking crucial just because I have one already but not stuck on it by any means.

Thanks again.

7' medium power/moderate action is what you want. 

A 7' Med power, Mod action is very well rounded for crankbaits. I throw anything from tiny 3/16 oz balsa Rapala floaters to 3/4 oz lipless cranks on it. It also makes a nice rig for small, 1/8 to 1/4 oz buzzbaits in not-too-heavy cover.

But if you want to primarily use heavier, deep diving cranks, then look into MHM power rods because the drag from the large diving bill will overpower a MM rod.

Well, whenever I used a spinning reel for cranks or spinners or any type of constant moving lure, I have had trouble with them twirling. Same way with swim baits and the such.

I have said that to some of my friends and they say I was stupid too, but I have talked to other people that have had the same problem. Maybe it is just me and some of the other people I have talked to! Maybe it was my crappy gear?

It has happened to me a lot!

Well, whenever I used a spinning reel for cranks or spinners or any type of constant moving lure, I have had trouble with them twirling. Same way with swim baits and the such.

I have said that to some of my friends and they say I was stupid too, but I have talked to other people that have had the same problem. Maybe it is just me and some of the other people I have talked to! Maybe it was my crappy gear?

It has happened to me a lot!

I dunno, but spinnerbaits and cranks should never twirl if they're tuned correctly. These are two lures that are least likely to need a swivel on the line.

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_10204976_100002000_100000000_100002000_100-2-0

I've got a cheepo spinning rod I've been using for lighter bait and a crucial 7' medium heavy.

This bass pro shop gift cert is burning a hole in my pocket and it's time for a cranking rod.

I was thinking a 7' medium or medium heavy cranking rod would round out the quiver. These will be the three rods I'm working with until I replace the spinning setup next year.

Any suggestions on m vs. mh? Something different entirely?

THanks a lot for any advice. Just getting into this and I love it.

Clack

Where are you located? I have a Kistler Magnesium TS cranking rod for sale on a local forum for $100. I didn't list it here because I really didn't feel like shipping it...

Just like this one: http://www.tackledirect.com/kistler-mgajcbsggm70-alton-jones-crankbait-casting-rod.html

Very good. Thanks for all the quick feedback.  New rod tomorrow!!!!

Not a fan of open ended threads so here's the final conclustion. Drove 1.5 hours to BPS with the full intention of making the wife happy and buying the less expensive 7' mm cranking stick. I couldn't believe that in this 100K sf store they didn't even have a full supply of their own rods so I had to start looking at alternatives. Mind you this place is full sucker retail on everyting so Avids and Crucials were out of the budget.

The sales people were really no help. It came down to a St. Croix premiere or Compre. I went with the Compre based on nothing more than I knew there was a good waranty on the Shimano.

Marketing bs on construction says glass with im wrap. mf action instead of medium. As far as I can see the only difference between this and the $150 Crucial crankbait was the guides and no etched endcap. Threw a couple DT10s with it this weekend but was still too cold I think so this rod's still a virgin. Only bite was on a jig setup.

Thanks again all.