For the most exciting fishing adventure, it is important to be fully equipped with the right gear. Sure, having a great crankbait reel and a deceiving bait is valuable, but using the best crankbait rod is incredibly essential. Crankbait rods are some of the common bass lures, and come in varying sizes and shapes – but some of their aspects are common.
The process of picking the right crankbait rod isn’t as easy as most people think. As much as a single rod can sort you out on nearly everything you require during your fishing adventures, understanding and comparing different characteristics of these rods isn’t an easy undertaking. Fortunately, we have created a long list of the best crankbait fishing rods and rated them best on their value and quality.
Ready? Here is the list.
10 Crankbait Rod: A comparison chart
Our editors have made the entire process of choosing the right crankbait rod easy by creating a comparison chart for you. Indeed, you can compare many products within a short time and make the right choice
| Ranking | Name | Length | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dobyns Rods Fury Series FR 705CB | 6 Feet 6 inches | 2.4 ounces |
| 2 | Dobyns Rods 704CB Glass Crankbait Rod | 7 Feet | 64 ounces |
| 3 | Wright and McGill Skeet Reese Crankbait Rod | 7-Feet | 8 ounces |
| 4 | Dobyns Rods 705CB Heavy Fast Glass Crankbait Rod | 7 Feet | 7.2 ounces |
| 5 | Lew’s Tournament Casting Crankbait Rod | 6 Feet 11 inches | 4 ounces |
| 6 | Lew’s Fishing David Fritts Stick Series Rod | 7 Feet | 8 ounces |
| 7 | 13 Fishing Omen Crankbait Rod | – | 6.4 ounces |
| 8 | St. Croix Avid Series Crankbait Rod | – | 4.8 ounces |
| 9 | St. Croix Premier Crankbait Rod | – | 5.6 ounces |
| 10 | SHIMANO CURADO – 7’4″ – Casting – Medium Heavy Mod | 7 Feet 4 inches | 7.2 ounces |
1. Dobyns Rods Fury Series Casting Rod
This casting rod is loaded with durable, comfortable features that guarantee the user many hours of exciting fishing experience. Some of these elements include an excellently performing Kevlar Wrapped guides and AA premium handles with Fuji seats and butts Hypalon.
Generally, this Dobyns casting rod is fully equipped with all necessary features an angler needs for a successful fishing trip. It’s a technique-specified product with various options that prepares uses for various types of fishing applications that they might encounter. According to a larger number of client reviews, this crankbait rod is a greatly valuable item.
The casting rod has high and powerful modules blanks for maximum security and strength. It offers a higher level of comfort, generally lightweight, and made of high-quality, professionally-chosen materials. Its tipoff is very sensitive, making it easy to use even for beginners.
Pros
- Light weight
- Easy to use
- Very sensitive
- Durable
Cons
- The seat threads are usually short
2. Dobyns Rod 704CB Glass Crankbait Rod
If you’re preparing to go out fishing, one of the essentials you must pack is a good fishing rod. A crankbait rod that’s easy to cast should be a priority when acquiring your fishing gear. This rod can easily bend at the tip, and that means a higher level of action from this fishing rod.
The product features AA-grade cork grips, Kevlar wrapping, high-quality graphite reel seats, proprietary high-graphite blanks, and other excellent features. Besides, this crankbait rod is excellently balanced, light, and strongly sensitive. It is rated for ¼-3/4 oz lures as well as 8-17lb line. The Dobyns Rods 704CB crankbait rod set higher standards for balance, weight, sensitivity, and strength. It is easy to adjust the rod’s soft-tipped glass and doesn’t disappoint when retrieving.
Pros
- Reliable retrieve and casting
- Better sensitivity
- Functional design
Cons
- It isn’t visually appealing
3. Wright and McGill Skeet Reese Crankbait Rod
Are you an angler looking for a crankbait rod that provides versatility for different types of fishers? This Wright and McGill Skeet Reese Crankbait Rod is a great choice. It is well-known among experienced anglers and beginners for its durability, reliability, and strength.
The rod’s S-curve blank construction offers a higher level of sensitivity, power, reduction in weight, and lifting power. This is what you need during an entire day of fishing adventure. On the other hand, the split handle design offers equal weight distribution and enhances overall balance. This crankbait rod is equipped with a molded rubber handle that boost the overall comfort grip, and the large fighting butt enhances the performance and durability of the fishing rod itself.
Pros
- It’s made of high-quality, durable materials
- The flexible tip makes the fishing experience better
- Has a reliable sensitivity
- It’s lightweight and comfortable to use
Cons
- It’s challenging to cast especially light crankbaits
4. Dobyns Rods 705CB Glass Champion Series
This crankbait sets a higher standard for strength, sensitivity, balance, and weight. The Dobyns Rods 705CB Glass Champion Series features kigan zero tangle guides inserts made of sic,proprietary high modulus graphite blanks, Kevlar wrapping, graphite Fuji reel seats, AA-grade cork grips, and other features intended to offer the user a more exciting fishing experience.
Pros
- It is a 70-inch medium-heavy fast action fishing rod
- Rated 8-20 lb test and ¼-1 oz lure weight
- It’s best for jerkbaits, crankbaits, topwaters and spinnerbaits
Cons
- Compared to other products, this crankbait rod is less visually appealing
5. Lew’s Tournament Casting Crankbait Rod
Do you plan to upgrade your fishing rod performance? This Lew’s Tournament Casting Crankbait Rod is made of lightweight IMG graphite, making it stronger and more sensitive. Users can expect accuracy and more exciting fishing experience.
Lew’s Tournament Casting Crankbait Rod is an American tackle micro guide system that comes with an endless list of benefits. Experienced anglers and beginners can choose different types of fishing rods with varying levels of strength, power, and other aspects. Note that each type is suitable for the most common bass fishing activities as well as baits such as target casting, spinnerbaits, crankbait, frogging, and more.
The fishing rod is equipped with an American microwave tackle guide system that eliminates wind knots, enhances casting accuracy and efficiency, and boosts the overall casting distance. It’s also fitted with a custom smooth touch graphite seat for comfort. This Lew’s Tournament Casting Crankbait Rod is made of high-quality materials, but it is an affordable option. Besides, it is suitable as a different ranges of bass fishing rod.
Pros
- Durable
- Lightweight
- Comfortable and facilitates many hours of fatigue-free fishing
- It’s quite sensitive
Cons
- It can be difficult to use especially for beginners
6. Lew’s Fishing David Fritts Crankbait Speed Stick Series Rod
Generally, a reliable crankbait rod is all you need to spice up your fishing adventures. This Lew’s Fishing David FrittsCrackbait Speed Stick Series Rod is ideal for any angler who intends to catch more fish with ease.
This fishing rod features premium quality graphite construction that offers strength and flexibility while keeping the product lightweight. Some of its components are stainless steel for durability and has high-quality, high-quality cork handles for comfort. Besides, this crankbait rod has light seats that facilitate continuous casts and offer a higher level of support to the user.
Pros
- The rod is flexible
- It’s durable – you can be assured of many years of seamless fishing
- The product is lightweight, and that means users who experience fatigue
- The product is rust-resistant
Cons
- The crankbait rod is not as attractive as other products in the market.
7. 13 Fishing Omen Crankbait Rod
Most anglers often overlook the importance of a quality bass fishing rod that’s well balanced. Acquiring this 13 Fishing Omen Black 2 Crankbait Rod offers you the chance to enjoy seamless fishing all day long. Indeed you will realize the difference between this rod and any other rod you have ever used. The thing is, poorly-balanced fishing rods are inefficient, associated with awkward casting motions, and cause unnecessary fatigue.
This fishing rod comes with a Japanese T-glass composite and 24-ton Toray balnks, Zirconia inserts in ALPS guides, engage evolve reel seats, and other stunning features for the optimum fishing experience. The product is lightweight for efficiency and making sure that the user is comfortable. This crankbait rod is ideal for anyone seeking outstanding fishing experience.
Pros
- Practical details
- It is sturdy and very sensitive
- It’s perfectly balanced
Cons
- The product is very costly
8. St. Croix Avid Series Crankbait Rod
This crankbait rod was designed to be an affordable option for an angler on a budget while offering strength, speed, and the desired accuracy level. If you have been throwing crankbaits for quite some time, you already know that it takes an efficient fishing rod to catch fish seamlessly. This St. Croix Avid Series Crankbait Rod ensures that the hooks aren’t torn out and can move a big bass.
The rod is made of rust-resistant aluminum oxides and lightweight SCII graphite blanks. Besides, the cast of this gear is uniform, stable, and balanced. You can fine-tune the action to fit your specific needs. The rod’s cork handle is ergonomically designed, and the rod has a high-quality Fuji reel seat.
Pros
- Outstanding sensitivity and accuracy
- The product is rust-resistant, making it more durable
- It is flexible and strong
- It’s easy to use for both experienced anglers and beginners
Cons
- It’s expensive
9. St. Croix Premier Crankbait Rod
This crankbait offers the full value of your money. The company took a long period of product testing to ensure that this rod performs precisely the way a good crankbait rod is supposed to. The rod is very sensitive and allows you to feel the lure ticking via brush and grass, no matter how light the take is. And this rod is designed to transfer more energy to the lure correctly.
Pros
- Reliable sensitivity for accuracy
- High-quality blanks ensure the rod can last for many years
- It’s lighter compared to other crankbait rods
Cons
- The maximum rod length is 7.’
10. SHIMANO Curado Crankbait Rod
This Shimano Curado Crankbait Rod offers sporting versatility with an outstanding blend of responsiveness and durability. The hybrid modulus UD carbon construction ensures an efficient power transfer with higher sensitivity. This is a technique specific casting rod created to excel at fishing a broad range of crankbait styles and even sizes. It’s excellently designed cork offer optimum handling comfort, while the Fuji Alconite guides are lightweight for easier handling.
Pros
- Casts very well
- Versatile in various conditions
- High-quality rod build and lasts longer
- Can handle big fish too
Cons
- The reel seat might unscrew with time. So, check it from time to time.
The best crankbait rod: An ultimate buy guide
Generally, crankbaits are one of the most popular bass lures in today’s markets. They are available in different sizes, shapes, and colors. One of the unique characteristics of these products is that they have a lip on the front side that facilitates easy penetration through the water. Indeed, crankbait rods are well-known for their diving depths, a reason you get one for more exciting trips.
What to consider when choosing the right crankbait rod
Weight of the lures
Finding a variety of crankbait rods with a variety of lure weights challenging. Most of the available options are 2 ounces or even less. However, this is changing with most weights exceeding this specific amount so that fishing enthusiasts can have more choices. The primary factor you must take into account is the specific type of crankbait fishing you intend to do.
For example, if your preferred crankbaits are deep, their weight is likely to increase as it goes deeper into the water. Thus, pick an option that’s a little bit heavier. Choose a lighter option if you fish shallow running crankbaits. But there are exceptions. Therefore, examine the products you use frequently, then choose one that best suits your needs.
Length of the rod
Generally, the length of a crankbait rod is between 6.6 inches and 8 inches. Analyze your requirements to be able to choose the right rod to use. Fishing rods are like levers. A long fishing rod can pull more fishing line when set the hooks properly. This will improve the leverage you hold, and should, in turn, increase your catch ratio.
Besides, a long fishing rod generates a higher amount of power when cast. If you intend to work with a crankbait, it is an excellent option as it offers better control, no matter the depth of water. Also, it makes for longer lure times whenever you want to catch a larger number of fish.
You don’t require an 8-foot rod to accomplish your fishing requirements. Everything boils down to how you use what you have. In some cases, short fishing rods will offer you better levels of accuracy, and it becomes easier to fight with the targeted fish in tight quarters. Therefore, it is better to work with a short rod, and you should consider all the tradeoffs prior to making any choice.
The strength of the line
The length of the line is usually determined by the size of the line, an element that varies significantly. Often, the size ranges between 6 and 30 pounds test. A lighter line casts a longer distance, and as a result, the crankbait will run deeper. On the other hand, heavy lines are somewhat more accommodating to structure and offer more fighting power.
Rod action
If you prefer crankbaits, you won’t go wrong if you choose a fishing rod that has moderate or fast action. This opinion is likely to differ, especially when talking to highly experienced anglers. Besides, some cases may require differed actions. Here are some of the benefits of using fast or moderate action.
- They offer better chances of fighting fish with treble hooks. That means it’s less likely to throw the lure you are using.
- Softer actions eliminate the sudden increase in line tension. This maintains its stability and reduces the chances of tightening too fast.
- When used with efficient guides, mid-range action rods facilitate longer casts in the specific hook set. Thus, the lure can go far enough to offer the bait enough distance and time to reach maximum depths.
- Slow action rods are associated with delays in the hook set. This reduces the risk of ripping out the hook from the fish’s mouth.
Understanding these aspects of fishing rod action can help you analyze crankbait rods of varying levels of action. Remember, the specific needs of different anglers vary, and knowing what you need boosts chances of making the right choice.
Rod power
There are three general ratings of rod power and work perfectly for crankbaits – medium, medium-light, and medium-heavy. Your choice will majorly depend on your specific requirements regarding line sizes and lure weights. Each crankbait rod model has the line size and lure weight specifications in the product descriptions.
Keep in mind that these aren’t casual recommendations. Instead, they are the set limits. By choosing the right rod with the correct power rating, you’re guaranteed excellent fishing experience. The piece of fishing gear will be efficient and accurate, and reduce the chances of damage to your fishing rod. In case your needs fall in between two specifications, it’s recommended to choose the heavy option.
Materials
The strength and flexibility of your crankbait rod will depend on the specific component materials. Graphite and fiberglass are heavier, durable, and slower. For instance, graphite is more sensitive to force, lightweight, and is associated with faster action.
Conclusion
When looking for a crankbait rod, it’s best to do your research to the most reliable, efficient, and affordable option. Choose a product made of materials that will facilitate the most exciting fishing day. Before you make any choice, it is best to consider your options and get well acquainted with the terminology used to get the best crankbait rod for an optimum fishing experience.