Have you ever needed a hammer, but used the back of a screwdriver or something similar instead?
Yes, it did get the job done, but it would have been a lot easier to use a tool that was designed specifically for that purpose.
The same is true when it comes to crankbait fishing. Yes, you can use any fishing pole to get the job done, but you will enjoy fishing more and perhaps be more successful by using the right tools.
In this post, we will discuss what makes a good fishing rod, the best crankbait rod. We will also look at a few of our favorites.
With so many different crankbait fishing poles on the market, it can be difficult to narrow it down to just a few.
What may work for one person, may not work so well for the next. To say that one fishing pole is the best is really subjective to each person.
With that in mind, we want to share with you some of our favorites.
Here is a quick preview of our top favorites:
The Best of the Best Cranking Rods
- G.Loomis E6X Series – Best of the Best
- G. Loomis IMX-PRO 845C – Great for lipless crankbaits
The Best Fiberglass Rods For Cranking
- 13 Fishing Omen Black 2
- Dobyns Rods 704CB GLASS Champion Series – Glass Rod – lightweight, sensitive
- St. Croix Legend Series
Deep Diving Crankbaits
- St. Croix Mojo Bass Casting Rod
Number One Spinning Rod For Cranking
- St. Croix Premier Series Spinning – Best Spinning Rod
Affordable Options
- Dobyns Rods Fury Series
- Lews KVD series
- Lew’s Mach Medium-Heavy
In a few words, we noted why we like these particular models. For a more in-depth look at the rod, please continue reading, but first, let’s talk about what to look for in a good cranking rod.
In this next section, we are going to highlight three important things to consider; the power rating, action, and the length of the rod.
Before we begin, it is important that we define rod ratings that are given to fishing rods.
This will not only help you to understand what these terms mean but also help you in selecting the best fishing pole for your needs.
Table of Contents
Is A Cranking Specific Rod Really Necessary? What to look for in a good cranking rod?
Yes, if you don’t have a cranking specific rod, you need to consider getting one because it could have a direct impact on whether or not you land a fish.
Let’s take a look at what to look for in a good cranking blank.
Power: The power ratings of rods are the following: Extra Heavy, Heavy, Medium Heavy, Medium, Medium Light, Light, Ultra-Light.
The power rating refers to the rod’s strength. Generally speaking the bigger the fish you are fishing for, the more powerful rod you will want to have.
Related to the power rating is line test limits and the weight of the lure you will be using. These factors also come into play when selecting the best power rating for a crankbait rod.
For that reason, I would recommend that you choose a cranking rod that has a power rating between Medium Light to Medium Heavy.
Action: The action ratings of rods are the following: Slow, Moderate, Moderate Fast, Fast, Extra Fast. The action rating describes how much the rod will bend beginning at the tip of the rod.
For example, an extra fast action will flex at the very tip of the rod, whereas a slow action rod will flex throughout the length of the pole. Why is this important?
Having a fishing rod with a fast action means you don’t have to move the rod as much to get to the more powerful part of the rod, thus allowing for a quicker hookset.
These types are rods work very well with single hook lures.
However, if you were to use a fast action rod with a bigger lure, like a crankbait, you may risk pulling the lure out of the fish’s mouth before you have a chance to set the hook.
On the other hand, if a pole is too stiff and doesn’t have much give, there is a chance the fish will throw the lure when surfacing.
So when searching for a good cranking rod you want to find one in the Moderate to Moderate Fast Action range.
Rod Length: The length of most crankbait rods ranges from 6 and a half feet to 8 feet. Selecting the perfect length really depends on your needs.
Longer rods will allow for a longer casting distance. This is perfect if you are working with deep-diving crankbaits, as this will allow it to reach its maximum depth for a longer amount of time.
Shorter rods will allow for more accurate casting. These can work great if you are trying to get that lipless crankbait in the perfect spot.
So now that we have defined some important fishing pole terminology, let’s consider some of our favorite crankbait rods.
What is the best crankbait rod?
G.Loomis E6X Cranking Rod
- Power: Medium-Heavy
- Action: Moderate Fast
- Lure: 3/8 – 1 oz.
- Line 10-20lbs
- Length 7′
One of the best-selling cranking rods is the G.Loomis E6X Series. This is a medium-heavy, moderate-fast action rod. This is a very powerful rod and yet sensitive enough that you can feel a bite.
Works great with medium to large crankbaits. It also comes at a good price point, right under $200.
Without a doubt, this is the best cranking rod under $200.
G. Loomis IMX-PRO 845C Cranking Rod
- Power: Medium-Heavy
- Action: Moderate Fast
- Lure: 3/8 – 1 oz.
- Line: 10-20lbs
- Length: 7 foot
New to the cranking scene is the G. Loomis IMX-PRO 845C
What G.Loomis was able to do with this option is they have created a lighter fishing rod, but still have the power and agility to take control of the fish. In fact, the IMX Pro blanks are 15 percent lighter.
This model is available in a number of different lengths and action/power combinations.
For example, this series is available in 6 foot 6 inches option, great for fishing with lighter lures and making more accurate casts. On the other end of the spectrum, you have an 8-foot extra heavy cranking rod. This option works well when fishing those larger crankbaits.
I personally really like the 845C model. It is a Medium-heavy, moderate-fast action and it comes in at a good length of 7 feet.
I have found this rod to be a good all-around crankbait rod, but it works particularly well when ripping lipless crankbaits through the weed line.
Is a Fiberglass Cranking Rod Better?
Why choose a glass rod? There are many advantages to choosing glass over graphite, particularly when fishing with lures that have treble hooks.
One of the biggest advantages is that they tend to absorb the initial strike better than a graphite rod. This will help to keep the fish pinned and hopefully increase your hook-up ratio.
Another benefit is that glass rods are durable. Simply put, they will last a long time.
However, with that being said the downside is that you are going to have to sacrifice two things: sensitivity and the overall weight.
A glass rod is not going to be as sensitive as a graphite rod would be, and it is going to be heavier.
Sensitivity might not be as important to you unless you are fishing deep diving crankbaits or shallow crankbaits where you want to be able to feel exactly what your bait is bumping into under the water.
With that being said, let’s take a look at some of the best fiberglass rods for cranking.
13 Fishing Omen Black 2
- Power: Medium-Heavy
- Action: Moderate
- Lure: 1/4 – 3/4 oz.
- Line 8-17lbs
- Length: 7 foot
- Handle: 14 inches
The first blank we want to take a look at is the 13 Fishing Omen Black 2.
This is a glass rod that has a moderate action and is available in two different sizes, 7 foot and 7 feet, 9 inches.
It is made with the perfect combination of a Japanese glass blank and 24-ton Japanese Toray graphite.
What this means for you is that you will have the benefits of cranking with a glass rod but at the same time a rod that is not going to feel extremely heavy in your hands.
Lastly, it is relatively inexpensive when you compare it to other fiberglass rods on the market.
So, if you have never tried fishing with a glass rod before and are thinking about giving it a try. I would recommend you give this one a second.
The lower price point and quality materials make this option a steal.
Dobyns Rods 704CB GLASS Champion Series
- Power: Medium
- Action: Moderate Fast
- Lure: 1/4-3/4oz
- Line 8-17lbs
- Length 7′
Speaking of fiberglass rods, let’s take a look at another great option on the market today, the Dobyns Rods 704CB GLASS Champion Series.
It is made with a combination of fiberglass and a high modulus graphite blank. This helps to keep it lightweight, and durable and lastly, it gives you the sensitivity that only graphite can offer.
The results are a medium, moderate-fast action rod that is both super light and super sensitive making it a well-balanced fishing rod for those long days on the water.
It has a lure rating of 1/4 ounce to 3/4 ounce lures, making it the perfect rod for cranking with smaller crankbaits.
St. Croix Legend Series
- Power: Moderate (specs based on 7 feet 2 inches model)
- Action: Moderate
- Lure: 1/4- 3/4oz
- Line: 8-14lbs
- Weight: 5.1 ounces
- Length 7’2″
St. Croix has also entered the fiberglass crankbait rod race with its St. Croix Legend Series.
This series is available in 3 different sizes. You have the smaller, more accurate 6-foot 10-inch option.
Next, up is the all-around 7-foot 2-inch option. Lastly, the 7 feet 11 inches, rocket launcher as I like to call it.
This bad boy has a heavy power rating specifically designed for larger lures. Without a doubt, any one of these will perform well on the water, however, for an all-around option, I really like what the 7’2″ rod has to offer.
By taking a closer look at this one, in particular, we will see what really makes this fiberglass series stand out from the rest.
The 7’2″ model is a moderate pole with a moderate action. It is rated for lures as small as 1/4 ounce all the way up to 3/4 ounce.
Let’s take a closer look at the materials and technology used to create this elite fishing rod. It is made with 100% linear glass and what St. Croix calls it’s Integrated Poly Curve tooling technology also known as IPC.
With this technology, they were able to create a rod that is sensitive, durable, and lightweight. In fact, the 7-foot option weighs a little over 5 ounces which is extremely lightweight for a glass rod.
With that being said, if you are an angler that would like to increase your hook-up ratio when fishing with treble hooks I would suggest you give the forgiving power of the St. Croix Legend Series.
St. Croix Rods Mojo
- Power: Heavy
- Action: Moderate
- Lure: 1/2- 2 oz
- Line: 14-30lbs
- Rod Weight: 5.4 ounces
- Length 7′11
When cranking with deep-diving crankbaits many anglers will choose a very long almost 8-foot rod.
They feel the longer pole will help to launch the lure.
This is true, there are many benefits to fishing with a long rod, however, you don’t always need to choose a longer one for bigger baits.
You also have the option of choosing a higher power rating. For example, this particular rod has a heavy rating.
This extra power is going to be evident not only in your ability to cast the lure, but also to take control of the fish.
One such option with a heavier power rating is the 7-foot 11-inch, heavy model in the St. Croix Mojo Bass Casting Rod.
Made from 100% high-modulus SCIII graphite, this rod has everything you are looking for in a crankbait rod: plenty of fish fighting power, the ability to set the hook with ease, and the capability to cast a mile.
Best of all because it is made with high-quality graphite, it is extremely lightweight only weighing in at a little over 5.4 ounces. Which is pretty good for a rod that is almost 8 feet long.
St. Croix Premier Series Spinning
- Power: Medium-Heavy
- Action: Fast
- Lure: 3/8 – 3/4oz
- Line: 8 – 14lbs
- Weight: 4.6 ounces
- Length: 7′
When cranking, many bass fishermen like to grab their favorite baitcaster.
This is mainly due to the fact that baitcasters tend to work better with heavier lures.
However, fishing with a spinning reel can have its advantages. For that reason, we decided this list wouldn’t be complete without talking about at least one spinning rod.
My choice would have to be the St. Croix Premier Series Spinning.
Because it is made from a graphite blank it is both extremely lightweight and highly sensitive.
It makes for a great fishing pole, especially when fishing with lighter crankbaits. It comes in at a good all-around length of 7 feet. This length is great for both good accuracy and distance.
Affordable Options
So far in this post, we have looked at some of the best fishing poles for crankbait fishing, however, many of them come at a pretty high price point.
For that reason, in the next section, we would like to look at a few options that are more affordable, including a few options under the $100 price point.
Dobyns Rods Fury Series
- Power: Medium-Heavy
- Action: Moderate Fast
- Lure: 1/4- 1 oz
- Line 8-17lbs
- Length 7′
To start off this section, I want to introduce you to the Dobyns Rods Fury Series.
Yes, Dobyns is a premium fishing rod and yes, they have made a more affordable option.
Made from a high modulus graphite blank you have a medium-heavy, moderate-fast action highly sensitive rod at a much lower price than the options mentioned earlier.
Not to mention it comes with a fuji reel seat, Kevlar wrapping, and cork grip.
Lews KVD Series
- Power: Medium-Heavy
- Action: Moderate
- Line Rating: 12 – 20 pounds
- Length 7’4
The Lews KVD series was designed by Kevin Vandam himself.
This is a medium-heavy, moderate-action rod, making it a good all-around cranking rod.
There are a number of different options specifically designed for crankbaits. For example, they have a 7’4″, a 6’8″, and 7’10”. Of course, the smallest one would work best for smaller crankbaits and the larger for deep diving crankbaits.
I particularly like the 7-foot 4-inch option as I have found that length to be useful in most fishing conditions.
However, the nice thing with this series is you have the option to choose the smaller or larger option depending on your personal preferences.
The bottom line is this series of rods is a great way to get into the crankbait technique-specific rods at an affordable price.
Lew’s Mach 7’3″
Power: Medium-Heavy
Action: Moderate
Lure: 3/8 -1/2oz
Line 10-25lbs
Length 7’3″
The next option that we are going to take a look at is the Lew’s Mach 2 Gen. You can get this rod for just under $100, and when you think of all the cool features. This is really a good deal.
Let’s briefly highly a few features that we like.
All the rods in this series are made with an IM7 graphite blank with carbon nanotube construction. This helps to keep it lightweight and sensitive. In fact, this particular rod weighs just under 6 ounces.
It has a medium-heavy power rating with a moderate action. Lastly, it is 7 feet 3 inches long which is a good all-around length when fishing with crankbaits.
Final Thoughts…
There you have it, some of our favorite cranking fishing poles on the market.
What fishing pole do you like to use when fishing with crankbaits? Which one do you think is the best crankbait rod for the money? Feel free to share in the comments below.
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