wanna buy a good casting rod

[Boar]

Looking to buy a good casting rod for crankbaits.what do you guys suggest. Boar

[PerchJerker]

In the last year or two I picked up a couple rods for casting cranks. One rod is Med power and the other is MH power, and both are Moderate action (which I think is really important in a crankbait rod).

I ended up going with Shimano Compre TC4 rods --- I started out looking at rods that were twice the price, but I love the feel and the action of the Compres. Rods should be all about feel and what works best for you.

Compres have an over-the-counter replacement warranty, which I hope to never use but it's nice to know it's there.

I cast small Salmo Hornets on my Med power Compre with a Curado reel --- those are really small, lightweight baits, so I think they're a good testament to how well that rod and reel work together.

[Boar]

thanks perchjerker, Whats the price on that, was looking at a fenwick an stcroix earlier tonight in the 1-150 range. I was tempted with the stcroix an the only reason was the fenwick had a very long cork handle like a musky rod would to fit tight against you side to burn jerkbaits. just didnt feel right. The croix felt right but the wife was tapping her foot an had to go. Was the shimano a MH? I need to feel that subtle "Tick" of a walleye. Your alot of help tonight< I appreciate it. Boar

[PerchJerker]

The Compres were $100, maybe $120, somewhere around there. The first Compre I bought was the Med power, that's the one I use for smaller baits ---- hornets, shallow shad raps, small husky jerk-baits, etc. I like it, but that rod is too whippy to handle heavier, harder pulling cranks, which is why I also bought a MH power Compre.

Moderate or Medium actions are good for crankbaits --- the action is slower and the whole rod loads up, not just the rod tip like with a fast or x-fast action rod. Fast actions are better for jigging and rigging, and that's where you feel the subtle tick you talked about. With crankbaits, fish smack them and you don't need to feel a subtle tick --- and the slower action is better for getting good hooksets and keeping the fish hooked, especially with a no-stretch superline.

Hope that helps. Have fun shopping

[Boar]

That dose help alot, but I do need to feel that tick cause i run my cranks extreamly slow, I probabley get one cast to anothers three cast.Alot of times the fish will smash it an many times its just a tick, like i was jiggin in the rainy. Sounds like I need a MH Moderate action, fast probabley wouldnt work cause im using bigger baits than your smaller ones, Thanks again. boar

[bemidjibasser]

boar-

How big of baits are you using? A 7ft medium moderate should be fine for most walleye cranks. In some cases a medium heavy moderate would be better. If youare crawling your baits back to the boat slowly, I would go with the 7'0"mm or even longer up to 8' or so. If you are going to troll and move the baits fast, and they are big deep divers, go with the mhm in 7'0" to 8'0"

[Boar]

Geeze I cant remeber number sizes, 7s to 5s I think. Distance is a big need an with casting there is technique involved also, so I figured atleaste 7' but dont know ab out fast, moderate, medium ect,for casting. Thanks boar

[rattleL]

7 foot medium works nice the extended length gives you that extended leaver for long casts cabelas has 7 foot mediums pfluger comboes on sale at the moment.

[Heatseeker]

It all depends on what you are fishing. How big are the crankbaits? Are you trolling or casting? Here's my take on casting your average sized cranks for walleye or smallies as i suspect that's your idea. Go with a spinning rod and reel combo. Here's why: easier to cast lighter lures and no backlashes ever! Much, much easier to fish into the wind. I like St. Croix rods personally, but go with what you can afford. I would get a longer rod in the 6'9" to 7'5" range either a medium light for walleye(unless throwing larger cranks) or medium for bass which will allow for greater casting distance and contrary to some peoples opinion i would get a medium fast to fast action tip as this just works better, trust me it does. I would spool it up with some Powerpro and do it right! Add a copolymer or fluoro leader if you want. Hope this helps!

[Boar]

Well I bought a Fenwick Med. 7 fter. nice rod, got it home an turned around an went back, returned it. bought a St.crouix premier Med.fast. i sat for an half an hour with the st. crouix an a shimono 7ft med. x-fastcompre. Now i'm not one for playing with rods....... but this was a tough decision. Finally chose the St. croouix. I think this is the start of a beautiful relationship. Thanks for all the advise guys. Boar