Throwing a crankbait is one of the most effective and universal techniques for catching bass. Whether you are targeting largemouth, smallmouth, or spotted bass, using the right rod for crankbaits can make a significant difference in your success. A rod specifically designed for crankbait fishing allows for better casting distance, lure control, and hook-setting efficiency. But with so many rods on the market, how do you choose the best one? You don’t. You BUILD the best one! I will walk you through factors you need to consider when selecting a crankbait blank and highlight some of the proven blanks we carry at Mud Hole.
Why a Crankbait-Specific Rod Matters
Growing up in Florida we did not have many opportunities to throw crankbaits. When 90% of the ponds we fish are shallow, sandy and largely covered in vegetation, a lipped bait with treble hooks hanging off it, just doesn’t fit. As we got older, sunk money into boats and even traveled out of state, throwing diving plugs really opened our eyes!
Crankbaits require a unique rod due to their diving action and treble hooks. Unlike single-hook lures, crankbaits need a rod with a softer tip and a moderate action to absorb the shock of fighting a fish and keep the hooks from pulling. Using a rod that is too stiff can result in missed fish, while a rod that is too soft may lack the power to drive the hooks home. The right crankbait rod provides the perfect balance of power, action, and sensitivity.
What to Look for in a Crankbait Blank
We see this far too often. Amateur and professional anglers constantly confuse power and action. They get on stage or on social media and talk about how great their “medium-action” worked while snatchin’ bass. Well, there is no such thing as “medium-action”. Medium is a power. Just like heavy or medium-heavy, those are powers of rod blanks. Action refers to speed. Fast, extra-fast, and slow are all speeds which are listed as the rod’s action. Now, there is not typically a rule on which comes first so list the power and action as you wish but you need to understand the differences when choosing an fishing rod properly.
Ideal Rod Action
Since action of a rod refers to how much it bends or deflects as pressure is applied, a moderate or moderate-fast action is ideal. As the more moderate-action rod flexes, it allows for a more controlled sweeping hookset while providing the right amount of shock absorption to reduce the chances of pulling the hook. In addition to allowing you to land more fish, the right crankbait blank also enhances lure movement, giving crankbaits freedom to have a more natural wobble.
Ideal Rod Power
Rod power refers to the amount of force needed to bend the rod. For crankbaits, this can be subject to the type and depth of crankbait you are throwing but a medium to medium-heavy power rod is typically a good place to start.
For example when fishing a lighter weight square-bill like the famous KVD 1.5, a medium power works well but as you step up to a series 5 you will want to fish a medium-heavy as the lure weighs more plus it pulls more on retrieve.
Ideal Rod Length
The length of the rod affects casting distance and control. A crankbait rod is similar to all your other technique specific rods and most will fish lengths between 7 and 7'6". Do not over think this part of the equation. If you are pitching square-bills or wiggle warts around cover most anglers opt for rods that are on the shorter side. Choosing a 7 footer or even trimming it to a 6'10" will help you with pinpoint casts that will result in more bites and keep you out of the trees. Just as longer rods allow for longer casts with chatterbaits, swimbaits and others, many of our deeper diving crankbait rods are 7'6" and even up to 8 footers.
Does Material Matter?
Fiberglass Blanks: Fiberglass rods are known for their slower action and durability. Although I do not particularly like glass many anglers far better than I love the classic feel of fishing a fiberglass blank. Fiberglass can be the blank of choice in crankbait fishing because they provide a soft, forgiving bend, preventing hooks from pulling out and there is a cool nostalgia vibe as well.
Graphite Blanks: Graphite rods are lighter and more sensitive but tend to have a faster action. While not always preferred for all crankbait techniques, some anglers prefer them for shallow cranking or for lipless crankbaits.
One of the great things about graphite is there are different strains or modulus of graphite. Plus, each type of graphite behaves uniquely when different resins are used. So, when most people say, full graphite isn't great for a cranking rod, they aren't really correct.
MHX has a line of crankbait blanks designed with full graphite in specific types of graphite matched with a unique resin that creates a moderate-fast action across a wide range of powers. Check out the full line of CB blanks and I will mention our favorites down below.
Composite Rods: A blend of fiberglass and graphite, composite rods offer the best of both worlds. They provide sensitivity and strength while maintaining a moderate action ideal for crankbaits.
To add another sub-category that isn't fully carbon, isn't all glass and isn't mixed like a composite, MHX has their Moving Bait Series that features a full graphite butt and mid section and just the last 10-15% of the rod blank's tip section is fiberglass. It is an incredibly unique but popular rod blank with hardcore anglers.
Custom Crankbait Rod Components
Cork and EVA foam are the two main handle materials. Cork provides a comfortable grip and excellent sensitivity, while EVA foam is more durable and weather-resistant. The handle length is also important—longer handles offer better leverage when casting and retrieving deep-diving crankbaits.
We always suggest to check your current favorite rod before settling on a handle length for you cranking rods. Yes, the shorter squrebill rods will likely have a shorter handle and the longer deep diving crankbait rods will have a longer handle but keep in mind the weather and conditions you will be fishing when planning out a handle.
In addition, since deep cranking rods do not need to be the most sensitive you can always opt for a non-exposed reel seat so you can plan out your build once you receive your parts. With a reel seat like the Fuji TCSM or American Tackle G2 P-Seat
Our Favorite Blanks for Popular Crankbaits
Finally, here is the best of the best!
Starting shallow, the CB843 is great for those light weight squarebills and wiggle warts. Give the you chance to use fluorocarbon line and light wire hooks so you never miss a bite!
CB843 Specifications: 7'0" | 8-14 lb. | 3/16 - 5/8 oz. | Mod-Fast Action | Medium Power
Since I mentioned sometimes we use fast action blank for shallow crankbaits the SJ833 is a sleeper blank that many overlook. Well, you shouldn't. I love this blank for heavier squarebills and power fishing around heavier cover where you need heavier hooks and a little more power. I would fish this with 16lb flurocarbon with the Storm Arashi squarebills.
SJ833 Specifications: 6'11" | 8-12 lb. | 1/4 - 1/2 oz. | Fast Action | Medium Power
Staying with the fast action I wanted to mentioned the MB873 and NMB873.5 as they are perfect for lipless cranks in and around submerged vegetation. Granted, you can fish them in open water as well but we like the fast action in hydrilla because a moderate-fast will wear you out trying to rip a trap through grass!
MB873Specifications: 7'3" | 10-17 lb. | 1/4 - 3/4 oz. | Fast Action | Medium-Heavy Power
NMB873.5 Specifications: 7'3" | 10-20 lb. | 3/8 - 1 oz. | Fast Action | Medium-Heavy Power
Now lets talk mid-range to deep cranking blanks.
The CB905 is the one that started it all. The first crankbait MHX ever started designing was the 7'6" medium-heavy and it is still one of the best sellers by a long shot. That is why they make it in 14 colors! This is perfect for your Norman Deep Little-N or the Rapala DT10. Although it is rated up to 1 ounce is exceptionally good at throwing lighter weight crank baits like the ones I mentioned.
CB905 Specifications: 7'6" | 8-17 lb. | 3/8 - 1 oz. | Mod-Fast Action | Medium-Heavy Power
For the Big Guns MHX has two 8-power deep diving crankbait blanks that can throw just about anything that you can!
The CB928 and CB968 are it when you are looking to fish the Strike King 10XD or Berkley Dredger 20.5. With the ability to handle upto 2.5oz and the added length you can cover more water, fish deeper and since they are graphite, fish longer than your buddies throwing fiberglass rods.
Crankbait Hook Keepers
You know I am going to mention hook keepers! Although I do not always use an enclosed keeper, I suggest it for crankbaits. Since some blanks can be a little softer than your normal all-around rods, you do not want your favorite crankbait bouncing around the front deck and trebel hooks flying every where. Use the Deluxe Hook Keeper from American Tackle to keep your cranks in check.
