Hey Guys…
I am narrowing down my rod locker to fewer albeit different rods. Thats why you see my four 2011 LTBCs for sale in the classifieds at a low price… 
I’m looking to do more cranking and want two longer (7.5-8′) rods for shallow and deep cranks, especially on Chequamegon Bay and Green Bay…big water-long casts.($100-$350)
I will look at any brand as these are personal use rods…
Opinions/Experiences?…Thanks! 
Last year I bought the KVD one and the Bass Pro one…the big sticks and I already have the St. Croix LT Magnum Cranker.
The KVD rod is definately the whippiest. Definately a classic moderate action cranking rod. The LT, you already know. You had a newer one than me tyhough. The one I have really wasn’t you classic cranking rod. A bit fast for the action. Then the Bass pro one is moderate but pretty stiff.
For fighting fish and keeping them on with a crankbait,I give the KVD rod the nod. If I awnt to rip through weeds though, I want something stiffer like the LT or the BPS rod.
If I’m checking out a new area looking for rocks, I use the LT, I can feel the bottom much better with it. Once I figure out the casting lanes to get me hitting rocks I switch to the KVD rod.
If I’m ripping through weeds, I pick up the LT or the BPS.
For the most part I use the LT for scouting, the KVD for fishing clean rocks, and the BPS rod has been relegated to pike duty.
I tried doing the 12#/14# flourocarbon KVD system and it just doesn’t have enough feel for me so I am throwing braid on all of the rods. I don’t know how the pros feel anything throwing flouro on a crankbait rod.
I considered the Mojo as well. It was a bit stiffer, less moderate than the KVD rod.
Shimano has some too that I’ve tried but it’s been too long for me to remember what they were like except less stiff than the LT.
Tom, last year I focused on crankbait fishing the entire season. I actually had only two rods that were meant for using crankbaits, a 7′ St.Croix premier medium/moderate crankbait rod coupled with a Shimano 50e curado and a 7’10” Legend Tournament magnum cranker fit with a curado 200e5.
Both set ups I used 10 and 12 pound flourocarbon and personally, it worked excellent for me, very sensitive and strong. The premier was used for all of my shallow to mid cranking and I wasn’t afraid to cast into some heavier vegetation. It handled it well, but a bit heavier rod would’ve helped in a few situations. Overall it was a very light and sensitive combo and had more than enough power for good hook sets. I used the Magnum for all of my deep water crankbaits and it did an excellent job, although the curado 200e5 was too slow of a retrieve and I couldn’t get the deep divers down fast enough into the strike zone. This season I plan on putting at least a 6:4:1 on the rod to improve the speed.
The rod that i’m most interested in for this season is the G Loomis deep flex. It sound’s like they have a very soft taper which is what I prefer for crankbaits. The spongier, the better for all that head-shaking, tail dancing action that big bass seem to provide every time. Once I pick one up, most likely the MH version, i’ll be sure to post some feedback. Bass opener is only a few months away and it can’t come quick enough.
P.S.,,,Tom, let us know what you get and what you think of it. You always have very good insight on the products you use. 
The 7’10” Croix is certainly on my Radar screen…I also am very impressed with the Dobyns line and their 765 McAbee Signature won WOW reviews on TackleTour. Glen Walker is a good stick and he loves the Skeet Reese/ Rick Clunn rods from W&McG…they are amazing for $100 as are the Mojos.
You are correct on the reel ratio…I have learned alot from Chris Beeksma and that was one point.
I am running 6.3:1 on my crank reels and 7.1:1 on the Burners. New Loomis rods are intriguing…
I’ll have to pray on this one…too many choices 
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The 7’10” Croix is certainly on my Radar screen…I also am very impressed with the Dobyns line and their 765 McAbee Signature won WOW reviews on TackleTour. Glen Walker is a good stick and he loves the Skeet Reese/ Rick Clunn rods from W&McG…they are amazing for $100 as are the Mojos.
You are correct on the reel ratio…I have learned alot from Chris Beeksma and that was one point.
I am running 6.3:1 on my crank reels and 7.1:1 on the Burners. New Loomis rods are intriguing…
I’ll have to pray on this one…too many choices
There are so many choices!!
Im looking at getting either the Dobyns rod or the KVD quantum rod.. I just joined the fishing club at UW Stout and we are sponsered by each of these companies so we will see… Im leaning towards the Dobyns rod with a quantum reel.. 
Matt you also get discounts at Tackle Warehouse, so don’t limit yourself to just a quantum or dobyns. Hope that helps make your decision easier… 
Oh I know that… I have looked through that site maybe 6 times in the last 2 days looking at rods and reels..
Castaway used to have a long rod called “the launcher”
For the money, I think the Skeet/Clunn deals be good. I myself will stick with 7 fters… Got 3 glass crankin rods do just fine…
river guys here in NY, seem to like the BPS 7-6 cranker…
Tom, might be a chance here to get a custom rod done, just the way you like it…
Got my Repair/Upgraded LT Small Cranker yesterday…drool…what a sweet rod!
Tom, let me add you may wanna take a look at some saltwater rods… 7-6 or 8ft popping rod could be good. I got a 7-6 hvy popping rod that is great for swimbaits…
a med or med light could be just what Tom ordered…
I’ve got my eye on a shimano crucial. IM-10. 7’11” MEDIUM MEDIUM FAST
Ended up choosing the Dobyns 764CB RM…Randy McAbee model for shallow to Med cranks and a KVD 7’10” for the DT 20s, DD 22s, etc…
Checked a ton of boards and reviews…Talked to Richard Dobyns on the phone and went with his advice… and Randy Weiland, who is a good “crank” head!
Nice!!!
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Ended up choosing the Dobyns 764CB RM…Randy McAbee model for shallow to Med cranks and a KVD 7’10” for the DT 20s, DD 22s, etc…
Checked a ton of boards and reviews…Talked to Richard Dobyns on the phone and went with his advice…
Did they suggest the KVD rod too?
Richard Dobyns was very helpful in picking the “right rod” for my waters/techniques for most of my crank bait plans…
Randy and I talked about Deep Cranks for summer and fall on the Great Lakes…He has a lot of experience and does seminars on Crankbait techniques…Hence the 7’10” KVD…
I’ll post reviews/reports as soon as I can fish some bass…which wont be for 7 weeks yet… 
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Randy and I talked about Deep Cranks for summer and fall on the Great Lakes…He has a lot of experience and does seminars on Crankbait techniques…Hence the 7’10” KVD…
I’ll post reviews/reports as soon as I can fish some bass…which wont be for 7 weeks yet…
The KVD rods are a composite mix. My favorite application for them is deep crank’n. I fish a few reservoirs and lakes that require deep divers (12 to 20′)for both bass and walleye. That 7’10” KVD7106ma is a bit of a meat stick and an over kill for tiny bass. But it has the perfect backbone and softer tip for running those high torque deep divers and driving the hooks home.
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