Looking for a cranking combo. I am looking at geting a shimano curado reel. I am still in the air about the pole. I have a couple shimano crucials and really like them. But seen the St.Croix Avid and really like that to. I fish shallow water crankbaits. Dont really know to much about casting rods and reels so any advice is appreciated.
I currently use a st croix mojo as my crankin set up and its not bad, its great for shllow cranking and squarebills…I have used this set up for deep crankin and it sucks. I have a GL2 loomis in transit now so I hope to get better results all together. if you’re fishing shallow a 6’6-7 foot rod would be fine fast action medium is my basic set up. There so many options with material rod/length/action etc. but as for the avids, the are really nice rods and think its a good option. The crucials are also great. I’m sure if you choose between the two you will be pleased.
Thanks allstar. Thats good to know about the length power and action. I was looking at the mojos but for some reason i didnt like the way it felt in my hand.
The st. croix avid is a fantastic rod, will work perfectly. Cant beat st. croix, hand made and assembled in the USA.. and by hand made I mean hand made, not machine made with a guy pushing buttons.
I have an avid spinning rod that is a good 20 years old and still works fantastic. The thing has caught everything from bluegill to carp.
Thanks for the advice fellas. I have only been using 6’6 and 6’8 rods. I am going to go with a 7’0 for my crankbait rod. Everybody that replied said 7’0 medium action. I do throw alot of Kvd 1.5’s. Will a 7’0 medium handle the 2.5’s?
You may want to also look at the St. Croix Triumph http://www.stcroixrods.com/product/triumph which is a fairly inexpensive rod about $70 at Dick’s Sporting goods. I use a 7’ Medium Heavy with a fast tip which works well with both the 1.5’s and 2.5’s. I personally like the back bone for ripping it out of the grass. I just set my drag lighter to make up for the stiffer rod. And as BBK stated, built in the good old USA.
You may want to also look at the St. Croix Triumph http://www.stcroixrods.com/product/triumph which is a fairly inexpensive rod about $70 at Dick’s Sporting goods. I use a 7’ Medium Heavy with a fast tip which works well with both the 1.5’s and 2.5’s. I personally like the back bone for ripping it out of the grass. I just set my drag lighter to make up for the stiffer rod. And as BBK stated, built in the good old USA.
Triumphs are build in China I think….the triumph is the same thing as the premeir, but cheaper because its assembled in China (yellow label)
You may want to also look at the St. Croix Triumph http://www.stcroixrods.com/product/triumph which is a fairly inexpensive rod about $70 at Dick’s Sporting goods. I use a 7’ Medium Heavy with a fast tip which works well with both the 1.5’s and 2.5’s. I personally like the back bone for ripping it out of the grass. I just set my drag lighter to make up for the stiffer rod. And as BBK stated, built in the good old USA.
Triumphs are build in China I think….the triumph is the same thing as the premeir, but cheaper because its assembled in China (yellow label)
I stand corrected, they are made in Mexico. Still a nice rod.
I’m no expert…well, heck…I’m not even remotely good &/or expirenced enough in cranking to give an opinion…I’m just loyal to Quantum because I’ve always liked their products. I’ve got (not used yet) a KVD Tour reel (5:3:1) & KVD Tour Rod… You can use all the same equipment that KVD uses, not being a fanboy…it’s just that if it’s good enough for him, then it’s more than good enough for me.
Thanks guys for the the knowledge. I thought all st.croix where made here in wisconsin. I was wrong. Would it be safe to go with a medium heavy. That way I can throw the 1.5’s and 2.5’s on this set-up. Or would a medium heavy be to much for the 1.5’s? It would be nice to get a rod thats a little versatile for cranking.
Im not going to doubt any of the guys who posted above, they are all good fishermen, But I will say this….Dont let something get complicated that really isnt…It all depends of your budget. Until last year I never had anything bigger than 6’ and 6’6” Rods, My Budget only allowed so many poles and I had to throw everything on those same poles. Dont get me wrong, If I had the money I would have certain models for certain things. I throw the same cranking rod for 1.5 as I do 2.5 as I do 6XD, My Crankbait rod is my crankbait rod , Period, no matter what Im throwing unless its a DD22 or a really small crankbait like a Rapala SR5, then it may change a bit. My Swimbait rod is also my Carolina Rig Rod. My Worm Rod is my Jig Rod…a Medium Heavy will cover just about anything except crankbaits…Just get something that feels balanced for you and feels right in your hand, there is always time later to fine tune and adjust brand and Model #. You dont need a Medium heavy to throw a 2.5, Other than casting distance, there isnt that much drag on a Medium Rod, Remember on a cranbait rod you want flex to keep from tearing the lip and losing crankbait fish.
I would avoid your 49.00 wal mart rods though, your just not getting the Quality. There are a lot of $100 Rods that are great Rods. Powell makes some great rods and are about 139.00, If Your not on a tight Budget, Kistler and Dobyns makes the best rods you can get, but those near the 350.00 mark.
Thanks top 10 for the info. I will be going to the wisconsin sportshow this weekend to pick up my pole an reel. I will let you guys know what I end up with.
Im not going to doubt any of the guys who posted above, they are all good fishermen, But I will say this….Dont let something get complicated that really isnt…It all depends of your budget. Until last year I never had anything bigger than 6’ and 6’6” Rods, My Budget only allowed so many poles and I had to throw everything on those same poles. Dont get me wrong, If I had the money I would have certain models for certain things. I throw the same cranking rod for 1.5 as I do 2.5 as I do 6XD, My Crankbait rod is my crankbait rod , Period, no matter what Im throwing unless its a DD22 or a really small crankbait like a Rapala SR5, then it may change a bit. My Swimbait rod is also my Carolina Rig Rod. My Worm Rod is my Jig Rod…a Medium Heavy will cover just about anything except crankbaits…Just get something that feels balanced for you and feels right in your hand, there is always time later to fine tune and adjust brand and Model #. You dont need a Medium heavy to throw a 2.5, Other than casting distance, there isnt that much drag on a Medium Rod, Remember on a cranbait rod you want flex to keep from tearing the lip and losing crankbait fish.
I would avoid your 49.00 wal mart rods though, your just not getting the Quality. There are a lot of $100 Rods that are great Rods. Powell makes some great rods and are about 139.00, If Your not on a tight Budget, Kistler and Dobyns makes the best rods you can get, but those near the 350.00 mark.
