I have been deep crankin for 8+ years now and I still haven't found that perfect rod and I'm sick of buying a new one every year that I end up using for other techniques...My most recent rod was a 7'6" MH XMLti, but it doesn't have the power I need to rip out of the heavy weeds we have here in MN. I also don't think I like the length...

So my question is, have any of you found the "perfect" rod for fishing deep cranks in areas with high amounts of vegetation?

Have you tried a Lamiglas sr705? My personal use one is built on 765 for the extra casting distance. Even though this is a glass blank, it's sensitive enough to transmit wobble from the bait. This a MH blank with a lot of back bone.

Are you adjusting the running depth to tick the tops of the weeds? Is it possible that the bait is just digging a little too deep?

Thanks DVT,

No I haven't tried that rod, but I have heard good things and I might have to try that rod...I am adjusting accordingly, but I do like to dig in the weeds a bit then rip out, the rod just feels too whippy.

Pinnacle Perfecta 7'8" MH.

For cranks heavier than 3/4 oz, this is the BOMB. The perfect action, perfect sensitivity and great power. It's got enough power to fish even matt's baby bass..

Ya there's a compromise to made there. A fast action rod makes more pop to break free from weeds but then you have to keep them from throwing the hook. I don't know how much fine tuning you feel like doing, but a Mod Fast action is nice for ripping traps in 6-8 fow, not quite what I consider deep cranking. When I'm deep cranking it's usually 12> and weeds are in clumps not constant ripping.

I have the Kistler all day power tool and it works great for this application. At 7'-8" you can get the cast on out there and down deep. Great rod for those deep fish and enough back bone to pull em out.

Have you looked at the st croix legendXtreme. XC72MHM-7'2" MH Mod 3/8-1oz? Or the XC711HMF-7'-11" H Mod fast 1/2-2oz? Pricey rod for cranks but they will get the job done.

Yes I have found the perfect rod. St Croix Legend Tournament 7'11" H power/moderate action "Magnum Cranker". The areas I deep crank are probably very much like yours. Out side the "wall" of milfoil and coontail in depths from 7' all the way to 15'+ dependeng on the lake. The best areas often have rock or other bottom comp. changes along with cuts, bends, turns, points or other irregularities in the weed line. When my crank is not banging off those rocks and stuff, I want it in the skirting/and occasinaly hanging in the edge of the grass so I can rip it free. I find this rod to be the best of both worlds, enough of a moderate action to really load up and fire cranks a mile AND keep fish hooked, enough power to rip the bait free with out over loading the rod, and to keep hooked fish from going back into the "wall" . It handles 1 oz baits like 6xd's and Little Johns DD's with ease, and can fling a 1/2 oz bait like a 5xd as far as I want it.

On my quest for the perfect crank rod this year, I believe I've found the three best rods that suit my deep crank needs. I fish a lot of water that has weedlines in the 20-30 foot range, and we often find ourselves ticking the tops of that grass, even ripping in and out on occasion. When I need to really get after a bait, the Cumara 7' Heavy Med-Fastt is the perfect rod for the job. I like the 7' length, and don't feel that I'm losing all that much in casting distance for this technique. I fish a lot of deep baits on this rod, such as the Little John DD, the DD22, Koppers Craw, Rapala DT20, and LC Flat CBD20. The second rod that I've fallen in love with is the Lamiglas SR705R. It's a beautiful casting rod with a tremendous amount of power in the butt section of the rod, yet still has a soft enough tip to protect your trebles. I really, really, really like this rod for fishing squarebills as well as deep diving cranks. I very often switch between this rod and the Cumara; I'll have two different baits rigged, one silent. Often times following through an area with a silent bait will get you bit. Sometimes, too, the different color of the same bait will cause a strike. The final rod that I've been using consistently is the Cumara 7-7M. IT really excels at 3/8-5/8oz baits in grass, as well as lipless baits across the board. I like the power that it has, and yet again, it has a great feel that you can tell just what the bait is doing. You can really get smaller deep cranks to work rock and wood very well, bouncing and deflecting lightly off things. It's the best lipless bait rod I've ever thrown, it will rip small traps out of grass with ease, as well as move large baits with no issue at all. The biggest thing that appeals to me about this rod is that it does very well as an all around rod from squarebills to moderate deep divers. You can fish a DT14 or DT16 on it with no problem at all.

Thanks for all the suggestions! This is really going to help when it comes time to upgrade!

I use a Loomis CBR 947 and love it. Might also check out the Deep Flex series.