Question on Crankbait rods...

Cindy · #1 10-05-2007, 09:19 PM

Hi BM members,

Since the release of our full graphite Black Diamond Crankbait rods a couple years ago, I have noticed there is some hesitation with the name crankbait among customers. I would like to know what you as the angler understand about Crankbait rods. What is a Crankbait rod?

I realize that ourselves and Loomis are the only company (that I am aware of ) that sell full graphite crankbait rods here in Australia so many of you may not have had experience with a rod built for and called a Crankbait rod.

From my experience, it seems that Australia is not used to the term. It is more of an American term so that could be the case. For those who have used our Crankbait rods, it would be interesting to hear your thoughts on these rods and their uses. I have had a couple up for sale at a very special price as I am trying to encourage the hesitant angler to check them out. It seems from the questions I have received over time is that customers are confused by what the term means and what kind of rod it may be.

For those who have had some experience, please post your thoughts. I am sure there are BD Crankbait rod users on here and Loomis Crankbait users as well. So I would be happy to hear from you both. Although the Loomis ones are much softer in action than ours, (we used to build them so we are very familiar with them) Loomis and our BD Crankbait rods both are meant to serve the same purpose. Whether you like a firmer or softer blank will determine I suppose whose rod you buy. But that is not my concern here. Mine is to see what the anglers of Australia think of such rods.

We had a pod cast on Crankbait rods that was posted way back (2005) which you may want to hear.
http://www.blackdiamondrods.com/mult...crankbaits.php

In the mean time, please post your questions and answers. It appears even to me from my experience that WA anglers have different uses for the Crankbait rods than here on the east coast. So you will most likely hear some new uses on here.

After I get some responses, I will post some info that may help those not familiar with these kind of rods and what makes them different in design (type of blank ~ not brand name).

I look forward to your responses.

Thanks for reading this.

Cindy

NewtotheGame · #2 10-05-2007, 09:31 PM

Why not post the info on crankbait rods now and then they can be discussed. Its hard for people with no knowledge of what they are to get involved otherwise.

Shane · #3 10-05-2007, 09:35 PM

I was under the impression crankbait rods where prodominately HB rods and grunt work.

Hence why I got 2*FR 1-3kg because I am flicking small SP's and small HB's.

Cindy · #4 10-05-2007, 09:37 PM

Time is a factor now as I have to run so I have posted a link to our Pod Cast which explains some. I am also asking those who have experience to post their response. Later today I will post more...

Also, I want to know what people think now before I post some details.

Bear · #5 10-05-2007, 09:59 PM

It was a style of rod we had been talking about for a number of years Cindy. After evolutions with other blanks and lengths you brought in the blank which has now become the Crankbait.

The idea behind it initially was that the blank was more suited to HB casting and loaded quicker than some blanks for locking up on those fish that want to stitch you up in big timber.

After the rod was released and we played with it a bit it also became apparent that is was also great as a stiffer rod for plastics. An ideal twitching rod.

Cindy · #6 10-05-2007, 10:16 PM

Thanks Shane and Sean. Your comments are appreciated.

Shane: the 6'6 2-5kg Crankbait rod would handle any bream HB's very easily. So, that is another option.

I just ran back to add something that Steve Ross (BD's rod designer/builder) has reminded me of which I had forgotten. When we used to build the Loomis rods for Australia, Steve designed a spin Crankbait version for the Loomis Australia branch as at that time there were no spin, only cast models. (US only use the latter). I am not sure if the spin models still exist in current Loomis models for Australian now. Maybe those on here who are Loomis users would know. If not, that means our BD Crankbait rods are the only spin models in Crankbait here. Meaning, that using Crankbait spin rods for breaming may be quite new to many. Although of late I have had some requests for us to build it in a cast version as well, as some anglers are turning to cast rods for breaming!

Of course we already build 7ft models in the cast versions for Bass and Barra .

Hooked · #7 11-05-2007, 04:49 AM

Confused as to what this post is all about Cindy.lt sounds like the the current owners of said rod's are being asked to tell if they have other use's in terms of securing fish for this particular make but as you have pointed out you believe you have a formula as to what this rod is intended for and the reason's behind it.HB use.

l dont understand what you are really searching for.lf the rod has an intended use wouldnt it just be easier to disclose this here and put people who have doubts at peace with the rod's correct intentions for use as opposed to asking and getting 10 diffenrent answer's.(Soft body rod or HB rod, intermediate.)

l own a 6'6 Crankbait and find it too soft in term's of fishing smaller lure's as alot of the action the lure display's is lost through it .l feel the dampening is to the point of lost feel to the lure itself,yet it work's for me better in the larger lure size's no problem(Static shad's,Jackell's and the like's).

lve yet to try a 7ft version and wonder if it would be better suited to the smaller profile lure's such as SX 40's , attack's and baby vibe's?

l just think it muddy's the water of the rod's intended use if everyone has a different use for the current range of rod's mentioned.As a rod builder supplier the novice is purely basing their choice and selection in your hand's as opposed to vise versa. All be it from your own testing point of view and maybe some of your current Black Diamond team.

l know l have a rod now (Loomis drop-shot) that l am currently using as a spinning plastic's rod and am impressed with it but it's not it's intended use .lt work's for me and l think this is where people who are starting out need clearer guidence(including myself ) in term's of what there rod was initially designed to do.This is of course JMO and people may differ in their view's but it's not to say they are right or wrong we are all just different l suppose.

l guess what lm saying is the question is a little to up in the air for me and searching....

Steve.

Cindy · #8 11-05-2007, 06:29 AM

Hooked,

The Crankbaits were created for hardbody lures. They have a much slower action. I think some people are not used to such a slow action as many rods out there are fast or medium fast. The reason for the slower action is to allow the lure to stay in the mouth of the fish longer which will thus increase hook up. They are a cast and retrieve rod..crank the baits (HB's) in. The retrieving provides the action for the HB, the fish sees it passing by and grabs on (hopefully) but because the rod has a very slow action, the fish will not unhook as quickly.

When I said it appears these rods have had different purposes than what was intended, I was surprised to hear from many WA anglers that they like to fish soft plastics on these rods. But as Hooked said, Dropshot rods are not being used for what they were intended. This is not a bad thing rather it is great when an angler finds more uses for a rod than its original design.

Cindy · #9 11-05-2007, 06:40 AM

Some may wonder why I posted this question on Crankbait rods. I truly am trying to find out what anglers think. I want to see if people find crankbait rods useful or are they just not what Australians want. This fishing world is all about sharing ideas and hopefully each of us contributing something that will help all.

Some have tried Crankbait rods (Loomis or BDs) and like or dislike this type of slow action rod. It may be a love or hate thing in an angler's preference for a certain action. That is fine but I am trying to see what people actually know about this type of rod (not so much brand) and if they do have experience with them, why they like or dislike them.

Hope that helps...

turley · #10 11-05-2007, 08:42 AM

Crankbait rods are fairly well accepted in the impoundment bass fishing community so I am sure there will always be a place for them. Also with Tim Morgan,and many others now, using flourocarbon when fishing hard bodies because of the stretch perhaps it is only a matter of time before a crankbait style of rod is all the rage for the breaming community at large?

My experience with slower actioned rods has always been that though they offer the give required for helping hook up (especially with braids), the softer they are the less sensitive they are. I havent used one of the BD crankbait rod but I would assume with the higher quality blanks that BD uses, this would not be an issue. In general, I do personally prefer a fast action rod for spin, and a slower action for baitcasting.