Although my medium power rod seemed to work fine for cranking at first, I realized that there were some issues. For instance, I was losing a lot on casting distance and obviously losing fish as well. So, to remedy this, I thought it would be much better to use crankbait rods.
It took me some time and a lot of research, including testing out different crankbait rods, before I found something that worked for me. The great news is that during this process I also learned a lot about fishing rods, what works, what doesn’t, and so much more.
This is why I decided to do this guide and share all this information with someone out there who may be thinking of investing in the best crankbait rods themselves.
Table of Contents
Best Crankbait Fishing Rods
Much of this review will focus on a list of eight products. In essence, I will be listing down the best crankbait on the market based on my experience and the research I have done.
I’m hoping that this list will give you a variety of solid rods that you can choose from. I invite you to read carefully and discern the features of each rod before making a decision on what to go for.
1. Dobyns Rods Fury Series Casting Rod
This Dobyns Rod is designed for people looking for something a bit less heavy but nonetheless quite durable.
It’s perfectly suited for shallow waters as well and even though it’s relatively short, the rod will give you excellent service for a long time.
You also get a wide range of lengths to choose from with the Dobyns rod. The standard model, however, measures about 7 feet and roughly 9.6 ounces so it’s very light.
The Dobyns rod is also fast-acting and while this may be a huge advantage when catching fishes that hide in pools, it requires a bit of getting used to for first-time users. This product is one of the best crankbait rods for the money and it should be worth your consideration.
2. SHIMANO Curado Crankbait Casting Rod
The SHIMANO Curado Crankbait Casting Rod is a budget-friendly crankbait that surprisingly comes with a lot of exclusive, high-end features. The rod is extremely versatile and should be a great choice for bass fishing anywhere in the world. Besides, you also get a lightweight design for easy handling and excellent power to haul off even large fish.
The rod comes in a standard 7 feet length. You also get a high-grade AAA cork known for its impeccable durability and long-lasting service. The cork offers impressive grip and comfort as well. Although the SHIMANO Curado Crankbait Casting Rod works with several reels, you’d be better off combining it with the Curado K which is actually made especially for this rod.
Additionally, the product comes with Fuji stainless steel K guides and highly durable Alconite rings. There is also a sleek matte finish along with the reel with a bit of gloss for that superb modern look.
The SHIMANO Curado Casting Rods are designed to work in both fresh and salty water. They are some of the best crankbait rods you can get and even though they are a bit pricey, they are worth every penny.
3. G. Loomis E6X Inshore Fishing Rod
The G. Loomis E6X series has been around for some time but in 2020, the rods were revamped and improved to cater to the changing needs in the market. As a result, what we have here is a series of well-built rods with some amazing features.
First, they come with a brand new, modern and sleek look. The rods are also fitted with a firm full cork fore and very comfortable rear grips for easy handling. The spinning reel has also been beautifully streamlined for better aesthetics and incredible performance.
Additionally, the G. Loomis E6X is lighter than it used to be and comes with a well-balanced design that should deliver outstanding performance for any angler. The rod comes with a standard length of 7 feet and excellent durability for long-lasting service.
And just to give you more assurance about the quality, the rods are handcrafted in Washington State in the US. You get high-quality Fuji guides, full cork grips, and exposed trigger reel seats. If you’re looking for a good crankbait rod that won’t bust your budget, this is perhaps the best option for you.
4. Lew’s Fishing David Fritts Crankbait Rod
The David Fritts Perfect Crankbait rod is a well-built product that comes with a tough stainless-steel frame and rust-resistant aluminum oxide inserts.
The rod also features a premium graphite/glass composite blend and offers very little drag on your line as it passes through the guides. This means that you get less resistance from the guides, something that makes it possible to have longer casts.
This crankbait rod is also available in different lengths. For those of you who’d prefer deep diving crankbaits, consider going for the 7’6” version. Speaking of deep fishing, one thing we know is that throwing the bait deep down into the water may reduce the intensity of a catch to a point where you can’t feel it well.
But the David Fritts Perfect Crankbait rod solves this by enhancing the bait’s sensitivity. The rod also comes with a super lightweight graphite reel seat neatly protected by a stainless-steel hood for impeccable performance. Additionally, you also get a strong and comfortable grip. It’s a rod that simply delivers excellent value for money.
5. St. Croix Mojo Bass Series Glass Casting Rod
The St. Croix Mojo has some pedigree in the crankbait market having been around for quite some years now.
However, the rod got a major upgrade in 2016 and it’s now much better. First, it features the innovative St. Croix Integrated Poly Curve tooling technology for outstanding performance.
The rod also features durable water-resistant guides and rings constructed from a strong aluminum oxide compound. It has a solid, somewhat augmented reel seat that features a black hood. This enhances usability and grip remarkably.
You’ll also get a premium-grade cork handle with a superb split grip configuration that enhances rod sensitivity very well. Just a point to note, out of the rods that I have highlighted in this review, the St. Croix Mojo is the best choice for moderate depth fishing. It’s also one of the best crankbait fishing rods made from fiberglass.
6. Dobyns Rods 705CB Crankbait Rod
The 705CB is one of the best products from Dobyns Rods and for good reason.
For starters, the rod features the same proprietary high modulus graphite blanks that are often typical in many Dobyns Rods products. It’s also a high-performance fishing rod that offers excellent sensitivity and balance.
You will love that the Dobyns Rods 705CB is super lightweight and highly durable as well for long-lasting service. Additionally, the rods are fitted with a strong AA-grade cork grip with tangle-free Kigan guides.
Premium Fuji graphite reel seats are also included here to enhance overall casting performance. As for length, the Dobyns Rods 705CB series measures a good 7 feet and should offer medium-heavy action.
7. Okuma Tournament Concept TCS Carbon Bass Rod
Okuma TCSs are personalized rods that are actually designed by Scott Martin, a professional angler who knows what it is to do bass fishing. Nonetheless, these rods come with a super-sensitive 30T carbon blank construction and equally light and well-built guides.
You also get high-quality premium Fuji Frames that deliver superb performance. You’ll love that the Okuma TCS rods feature a sturdy carbon fiber reel seat that feels very comfortable even for all-day casting.
Additionally, this rod is specifically designed for crankbait applications so it works really well. On top of that, you get excellent strength to help you reel even large prey. The Okuma TSC is traditionally used for tournaments but you can also use them in ordinary casting escapades, especially if you love top-of-the-line performance.
The rods also range in terms of length starting from 6’9” and going as high as 7’11” inches. There’s no doubt in my mind that this is indeed one of the best crankbait rods money can buy.
8. Daiwa ZIL801MHRB-G Zillion Crankbait Rod
The Daiwa ZIL801MHRB-G Zillion is a medium-fast action rod that comes with an array of incredible features.
The rod is constructed from a series of high-quality materials including graphite and fiber. These materials do two things. First, they give the rod a sleek and attractive look. Secondly, they make them more sensitive and lightweight, something that enhances handling and effectiveness.
You’ll also be happy to know that the rods are super long, reaching up to 8 feet in length. The product is easy to use and should be a great choice for both experienced and novice anglers. In case you’re looking for a rod for heavy cover fishing, no doubt the Daiwa rod will work for you.
Additionally, the rod is fitted with an EVA split grip handle that comes with a stunning ergonomic design for comfort. For all its features, the rod, as you would expect, is a bit pricey. But is it really worth the money? Absolutely yes, especially when you consider the many positive crankbait rods reviews under its belt.
What is a Crankbait?
Typically, a crankbait is basically a fish-shaped plug that’s normally made either from wood or plastic. The bait often features two treble hooks that hang slightly off the bottom.
Additionally, a big portion of crankbaits tends to feature a bill at the front. The bill is designed to drive the bait down into the water as you start reeling.
This is an integral feature since it significantly contributes to the lure action that the crankbait is designed for in the first place.
As you can imagine, crankbaits are available in many different shapes and sizes. You can easily find fat baits with rounded sides wholesome tend to have flatter sides. It’s important to note that the design of the crankbait will massively affect its lure action.
For this reason, it’s not uncommon to find some bait with a tight action while others may feature a vibrating wiggle or a wobbling action.
Crankbaits are more effective when they run into something. It could be anything, including a chunk of trees somewhere in the river or lake or even the river bed itself.
How to Pick the Best Crankbait Rods
Rods aren’t all the same. Some have a few features that make them stand out while others excel in certain specific areas.
For this reason, you need to pay special attention to a series of factors if you’re going to secure a top-quality product that eventually works for you.
Here are a few important considerations to keep in mind:
Length
Crankbaits feature different lengths. However, the average length often comes down to around 6.6 feet and 8 inches.
There are a few rods though that tend to be a bit longer than that. Some can even hit as high as 7 feet.
The length matters for one main reason. It determines the power it exerts and how far it can move inside the water. As you can probably guess, a longer trout rod will typically move for longer distances.
However, greater distance also means that you won’t be able to exert as much pressure compared to a smaller or shorter rod.
Power
The power of the cranking rod often depends on the size of the line and its overall weight. The power is crucial in determining the speed of action you get from your rod.
In essence, a rod rated with higher power will be much slower compared to a rod rated with less power.
Weight
If you intend to use your crankbait for deep sea fishing, then you must get a heavier lure.
This will, however, negatively affect handling but if you’re an experienced angler, you’ll be able to use it quite well.
Water Environment
There are rods that work in any water environment. But it helps to get something specific to where you’re going.
For instance, if you intend to fish in salty water, get a rod that’s specifically designed for salty water. Be sure to also do the same for freshwater as well. But if you’re fishing on ice then you definitely need a cordless drill for ice auger to drill holes.
Strength of the Line
It may also be a great idea to check for the line’s strength before you buy a rod. Strength is determined by the weight and the length as well.
If you want your line to have more power and hurl in a big game, then make sure it’s relatively heavier.
Price
So, price isn’t always the most important consideration because many people would pay a premium if indeed the rod quality is worth it.
But still, you need to go through all the options and pick something within your budget.
Conclusion
Finding a quality crankbait rod that works for you shouldn’t be a hard job.
I know we have listed quite a number of solid rods above. But if I were to choose a product to recommend, it would be the Dobyns Rods Fury Series Casting Rod.
These rods feature high modulus graphite blanks and are super lightweight for easy handling. It will absolutely be worth the money for any angler out there.
One of the most important factors to consider when buying a fishing rod is the material it is made from. Remember, there are different fishing rods in the market. Some of them are made of fiberglass, while others are made of carbon fiber.