I am looking to buy a crankbait rod/reel over the winter, and figured I would ask around about what you guys like.
I will not spend more than 100 on a rod, so that limits options a bit. Any suggestions?
Depends upon how much you are going to use it. For the money the Bass Pro Shop "Crankin Stick" is a good deal. I have a couple I'd let you try if you want. I have a 6'-6" and a 7'-0'. Usually $49.00 but often on sale at $39.00. If you like them I might be willing to part with them. The only problem with them is they are a bit heavy, and I'm used to thorwing a much lighter rod. They also have a "hump" handle better suited for the larger hand. If the actual weight of the rod doesn't bother you, they'll be fine. They are an IM6 graphite/fibreglass composite rod, which I also prefer for crankbaits. Let me know if you want to try them, I'll bring them to the meeting Thursday if you are. These two rods are best suited for medium and deep crankbaits.
If you want to spend a little more: St. Croix makes a specific cranking rod in it's Premier line. They retail around $90, if I was limited to the $100 ceiling that's probably the rod I'd buy.
i have some abu garcia,reels ,high speed and crankn speed
Yeah, Ron, but tell him how much those custom crankin rods set you back. They are sweet....
you mean the shamano reels i paid 200 dollars apiece for,
i am talking about 50 dollar abu garcia reels
No, Ron, the rods that Don Jones made for you.
What sort of gear ratio do you all recommend for a cranking setup? I'm a little new to buying rods/reels for specific types of lures/presentations, so that's what I am looking for...
5:1 some where around there for diving cranks. I don't like the fast retrieve reels for medium/deep cranks. I prefer a reel with a bit more power to move the baits (LOL) and raise those green beasts from the depths. You really don't want to crank them real fast once you get them down and the lower ratio allows the "slow" cranking, otherwise you'll wear yourself out. Lipless cranks on the other hand - I prefer a fast retrieve reel to burn those baits should I so choose.
I also prefer the slower retrieve for crankbaits to keep the lure in the strike zone longer. Sure self control should work, but ...
I am not looking to buy anyone's reels/rods...just looking for product suggestions. I will likely not be able to make the Thursday meeting anyways.
I wasn't really offering the rods I mentioned for sale, as I'm not totally sure I want to part with them. I did offer to bring them to Thursday's meeting so you could handle them, maybe take them home and try them. Y'know handling different rods, reels, etc. is an opportunity not everyone gets, and it makes the choice easier and more informed.
No no - I got what you were saying. I woudl like to get a feel for the BPS Crankin Stick and appreciate your offer. I was letting Ron know cuz it sounded like he was bringing them for a potential sale...
I have a fiberglass cranking rod I bought from Seb... check the other board, I think it's a Diawa. I like that a LOT. Loads well and casts far. Not too heavy but it is not light like the snooty brands.
For a reel, get a very high ratio reel. They sell them up to 7:1 ratio now. You can alway slow down your retrieve, although you might have to "learn" how to, but you can't speed retrieve a slow reel. Take my word on this. When Dave B is buzzing along casting in front of the boat trying to cover a lot of area and you have to cast diagonally forward, you need a quick retrieve to work your lure and not have it slide around behind you so you are dragging it in from behind the boat at speeds approaching Mach I. A 4.4:1 or even 5:1 is very tough to impossible for this.
I have some righty Quantum reels with a gear ration of 6.2:1 that I am going to sell used as I am switching to all lefty. Let me know if you are interested in some/all of them. I also have extra gear sets at 5:1 and 4.4:1 if you really want to slow them down.
I am a left handed guy too...love throwing right and retrieving lefty!
I've been buying quantum TE1171PT and E761PT reels on ebay, new, for between $140 for the E761 and up to $170+ for the TE1171PT which is the 7:1 ratio reel, really nice. But there's been a price increase for the TE1171PT reels so they are going up in price, hard to find them lower. Better snap a couple up reel fast. (pun intended)