Crankbait rods under $100

[Jmcfarland]

I am really wanting to get a new cranking rod for this summer. I am thinking a 7' 6" is the longest I want as I am 5'10" tall and anything longer is awkward for me. Also my boat is a 18'er. I am wanting to use this in open water applications. I would like it to be able to handle crankbaits in the 3/8 to 3/4 ounce range. I want to be able to throw the bait a hundred miles and use cranks that dive up to 16' deep with a 10'-15' being the most common. I like a softer action and am thinking medium action fiberglass is the way to go for me???. I know there are a lot of good rods out there for cranking but money is an issue for me with the economy and gas prices (still want to be able to afford to fish with it    The cranks I plan to use are fat free shads, rapala dts, and maybe some of the deeper diving strike kings. Any suggestions, comments or concerns are appreciated. Thanks

[skeeterman190]

 powell has a nice rod im looking to buy for cranking myself this year.. its listed for 140 on [REMOVED - see No Links Policy List] but if you get on ebay you can prolly pick one up for about what your looking to spend. also shimano compre has a crankbait rod too thats prolly right around 100.

[skeeterman190]

and id go with med heavy over medium for that big a bait..
just my 2 cents

[thedude]

pure glass rods are pretty forgiving - go MH at least

[FishermanJohn]

I really recommend the Powell Rods.  I have a 7'5 MH glass that I love for cranking.  If you're going with glass or composite then I definitely recommend going to a MH.  I also have a St. Croix Premier 7'0 MH.  It's graphite but has a moderate action which also handles my crankbaits and traps nicely. 

[Jmcfarland]

Thanks guys. I will keep this in mind as I make my final choice. I really like the suggestions for a medium/heavy. I haven't used a glass rod in quite a while so that is nice to know.

[5poundhooker]

I agree M/H for sure and maybe check on the new Rick Clunn glass rods from Wright and McGill. I have never used one, but the price is there. The Powell rods are probably good also. Just some thoughts.  

[detroit1]

Clunn rods....i'm sorry but it just cracks me up. He has a "clear water"  *squarebill* and a " dirty water" squarebill rod. Are you kidding me? What about a tailspinner rod for lakes, and one for rivers. I'm sure next year their will be rods for balsa, and one for plastic cranks. How about wide wobbles and tight ones. I remember a few years back he talked about fishing all the same rod/reel/line combos..all the same exact outfits, because it kept him "in tune" with his bait, and he would not have to waste time readjusting to this length or that ratio etc...

[Manxfishing]

Clunn rods....i'm sorry but it just cracks me up. He has a "clear water"  *squarebill* and a " dirty water" squarebill rod. Are you kidding me? What about a tailspinner rod for lakes, and one for rivers. I'm sure next year their will be rods for balsa, and one for plastic cranks. How about wide wobbles and tight ones. I remember a few years back he talked about fishing all the same rod/reel/line combos..all the same exact outfits, because it kept him "in tune" with his bait, and he would not have to waste time readjusting to this length or that ratio etc...

I'm not sure what's going on with Rick Clunn
Last year he fished the classic in a 18' tracker, this year he diodn't make it there
And he's really pushing the luck e srike baits that are all copies of another bait
My thoughts are. he's on his way out

[t-bone]

I have a powell crackbait rod and like it. The KVD cranks rod runs around $140 and is very good for deep diving big cranks. You should look at that too.

[Cheetam]

Powell has a new line of rods for $70 called Diesel.  There are a couple fiberglass cranking rods in the lineup.  The catch is, they come without a warranty.

[5poundhooker]

Jmcfarland said under a hundred and glass, So that is why I mentioned the Rick Clunn series and those two identical rods are rated at M/H vs. H not the same. There is not much out there for that price unless you can build them yourself. Shimano has three different series to choose from under $100, the Sellus, Compre, Clarus. Just trying to be helpful and not negative.