I have a number of Kistler LTAs that I use for weightless plastics, jigs, jerkbaits, and plastics with 1/4 oz bullet weights.  In general I am happy with those rods.  I also have other rods for spinnerbaits, frogs, and flipping that are not part of this discussion.

I also have some of the older BPS crankin sticks that I use for topwater and cranks.  While I like the way they work with a fish on I feel like I am swinging a broomstick with them compared to the Kistlers.

I want to get a better rod for the cranks.  Would I be better off getting a higher end rod for that application, or would I get more return by upgrading the sensitivity on the plastics/jig rods, and using one of those for the cranks where sensitivity isn't as important?  I could get something like a Loomis CBR for the cranks, or a Loomis BCR for the jigs or senkos and use a Kistler for the cranks.  I'm not stuck on the Loomis; the same concept would apply to any brand.  Just using that as an example.

If you get ready to lose a couple of those Crankin sticks let me know.

You really don't need a high end rod for cranking unless you have extra money you don't need and if you do  , buy the most expensive rods that you can afford.

If you can't have it all, and most of us can't, it really comes down to priorities. I am not a big  crankbait user, so a lower end rod is fine for me. I have a friend who fishes CBs a lot. He has a Loomis CBR783 that he uses for small/mid-size shallow runners. It is sensitive and light as a feather. For him it is a great choice. For me that same $200+/- would be better spent on a good quality jig/plastics rod.

without knowing the 'stats' for the Kistlers it's hard to know if they would be good crankbait rods, but i'm sure you'll be glad you bought the bcr for worming and jigging!

Yeah, you really don't need something very sensitive for crankbaits. But if you do get one get something like a st. croix mojo, premier, or avid.

I agree with the statement about we need to know rod stats to tell you. I crank a lot and own two Daiwa Fle-X-Lites in a 7'M and a 7.2 MH I love them and have sold off some Evergreen cranking sticks that I thought I loved once I used the Steez... to me high end Cranking rods are just as important as high end worm and jig sticks... but thats come from someone that cranks about 40% of my time on the water.

...to me high end Cranking rods are just as important as high end worm and jig sticks...

Because you can feel the lure, every contour and each rock

or limb. Some guys claim they feel the fish as it approaches.

At any rate, if you are going to become a dedicated crankbait

fisherman, the equipment is key. For occasionally throwing a

Rat-L-Trap, anything will do.

8-)

Since my original post I have given this a lot of thought.

I don't throw crankbaits often, but I think it is because I don't like using the BPS crankin sticks as much as my other rods. I seem to have a worm rod in my hand more than anything else, so I am going to upgrade the Kistler He69mc I use for that to a GLX BCR802 or 852. The Kistler will be moved to a crankbait rod for now. (I already have one He69mc rigged as a hard jerkbait setup so I know what to expect.) If having the Kistler there gets me to use cranks more I can always change to a more appropriate CB rod if I want.

Thanks for all of the responses. I have a 51mg I can put on the BCR. Anything more appropriate out there? I will be throwing 3" to 5" weightless senkos most of the time.