Crankbait Rod for under $100

[tubechucker]

I'm looking to purchase a crankin rod this year with hopes to throw small cranks, jerkbaits up to traps.  I can't spend $250 on a premo rod.  Have you guys used any of the cranking rods that are $100 and under BPS Crankin, KVD, St. Croix, Premiere? 

I am thinking I need a med action 7 footer...  Also, Shimano has 20 off the compre cranking rod bringing it down to $80.

I also noticed a lot of "cranking rods" are graphite and not composite or glass like I thought a crank rod needed to be.  Any advice on what to look for?

[Cy]

I would skip he BPS Crankin' Stick.  I bought one, used it once and sold it.  I was the most "dead" rod I ever fished with.

The other I don't know much about.

Cy

[1javelin]

Companies are making huge advances now in rod production, so where you needed that moderate action before that could only be achieved with glass, they can now build it with graphite, giving you a huge advantage in feel, so you can tell what's going on below the water.
  As for a rod, you might be able to find some nice rods for sale without buying new, if you look in the right sites. Hope this helps.

1jav

[McCarter]

i still have 2 or 3 new Powell 706 CB rods for sale for $100.

Just sayin....

McCarter himself

[Durand Dan]

i still have 2 or 3 new Powell 706 CB rods for sale for $100.

Just sayin....

McCarter himself

OK, I'll take all 3 for $100 total!!

[2k JIGS]

My partner bought this rod last year, and loves it for small cranks. Check it out.
http://cgi.ebay.com/W-M-SKEET-REESE-WMESRCB70C1-7-CRANKBAIT-CASTING-ROD-/400110688863?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5d28749a5f

[djkimmel]

eBay rods, reels, line and tackle

[dartag]

i still have 2 or 3 new Powell 706 CB rods for sale for $100.

Just sayin....

McCarter himself

Got me a couple of them Mccarter garage rods.  Like brand new and a great deal.

[Puma]

Okuma, is making some great rods for around $120 retail. I had a Citrix in my hand at the show and it sure had a great feel.  They are guaranteed for life, even if you get ticked and break it over your knee - and they don't charge you anything to replace it.  Just bring it back to the store where you got it. Tough to beat that.  Downside is they are not American made, but then, what is 100% anymore.  My Ford was made in Mexico, my Honda in Alabama.   

[MadWags]

Your GLB price on a Grandt All American Series in 6'6"-7' would be $109.00 plus shipping.
The blanks are Grandts own high mudulus design made in the USA. The cork comes from South America, the thread from Germany and the components from Japan. They are made in the Grandt facility in Oklahoma. They carry an unconditional lifetime warranty and in my mind are the best rod value on the market.

[tubechucker]

What power/action/length would you guys suggest?  I am thinking a medium action 7 footer would be the most universal rod for most cranks.  I like to throw strike king series 3's and traps.  From what I understand the only thing a med action 7 footer won't work well for is deep diving cranks.  Does that sound correct?

I would love to go out and get a whole arsenal of new rods to fit all purposes but the reality is I can get one.

[2k JIGS]

The med. rod will work good for the series 3, but if you like to rip traps you are going to need med. heavy or a heavy.

[McCarter]

medium action is good for chucking and winding traps, but like sunset said, a heavier action would be better for ripping grass.

the Powell 706 can handle a Strike King Series 5 with no problems, but you wont want to throw a Series 6XD on it.  Its also a great rod for throwing traps over grass flats and tearing them back.

McCarter himself

[Waterfoul]

I don't think you can go wrong with any Shimano product.  If you can get a Clarus for $100 I'd be taking a serious look at it.  Great warranty.

[MBell]

McCarters Powells are sick for $100.  I also like the KVD's but they are $150 and a little wimpy so you'll prob want a MH.
-Matt

[MadWags]

The Grandt 7' Meduim will handle all of the above and some.
Just ask Mojo.

[Cheetam]

The best cranking rod I own is the cheapest one I bought.  It's a St. Croix Pro Glass 7' Medium.  I bought it 7 or 8 years ago for ~$70.  I think that rod is now in the Premier line and over $100, but if you look around maybe you can find one cheaper.  I have owned graphite and composite rods, but none have come close to how that rod fishes.  I can't explain it, but the others just don't "feel" right.  I did just buy a Powell 754 for deep cranking, but I haven't used it yet.  It's on sale at unnamed for under $120 shipped.  I've been looking for a longer glass (over 7 ft) rod that can handle deep divers and for that price, what the heck.  I haven't fished with the others, so....

[JL]

I think I saw somewhere that St. Croix in there Mojo line has a couple of crankbait specific rods that were longer and glass.  I would assume that the blank is similar or the same as the premier line of crankbait rods. 

[t-bone]

Jeff - I picked up the Powell too. Got it in the mail last week from unnamed. Ordered a Lews Tournament Pro reel to pair with it. The Powell really feels like a nice rod to chuck large cranks for some small swimbaits.

The best cranking rod I own is the cheapest one I bought.  It's a St. Croix Pro Glass 7' Medium.  I bought it 7 or 8 years ago for ~$70.  I think that rod is now in the Premier line and over $100, but if you look around maybe you can find one cheaper.  I have owned graphite and composite rods, but none have come close to how that rod fishes.  I can't explain it, but the others just don't "feel" right.  I did just buy a Powell 754 for deep cranking, but I haven't used it yet.  It's on sale at unnamed for under $120 shipped.  I've been looking for a longer glass (over 7 ft) rod that can handle deep divers and for that price, what the heck.  I haven't fished with the others, so....

[Durand Dan]

The best cranking rod I own is the cheapest one I bought.  It's a St. Croix Pro Glass 7' Medium.  I bought it 7 or 8 years ago for ~$70.  I think that rod is now in the Premier line and over $100, but if you look around maybe you can find one cheaper.  I have owned graphite and composite rods, but none have come close to how that rod fishes.  I can't explain it, but the others just don't "feel" right.  I did just buy a Powell 754 for deep cranking, but I haven't used it yet.  It's on sale at unnamed for under $120 shipped.  I've been looking for a longer glass (over 7 ft) rod that can handle deep divers and for that price, what the heck.  I haven't fished with the others, so....

Jeff,
Is this the one you are refering to.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320655108667&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT