Best Rod For Square Bill Crankbaits? 2024
AC79Angler reply :
Hey Guys. I'm new here and somewhat new to bass fishing. Forgive me if this topic has been covered, i'm slowly making my way through past threads. Anyways, i'm in the market for a new rod that i want to throw mostly square bills with. I've noticed there aren't many rods dedicated to this application. I'm a St. Croix guy and one of the things i'm trying to do is keep it St. Croix. I do believe using one companys rods and getting use to their power and balance is a good thing. Saying that, I'm mostly interested in the power, action and length that you guys use for square bills. I used a Avid 7 ft. medium heavy/fast action for square bills last year. Suprisingly, i caught a lot and didn't really have a problem with losing fish on it. So, why fix whats not broken?
Well, i guess its a comfort thing. I fished the rod but was always really nervous that i would lose the fish because of the mh/f action of the rod. I fish off a boat but also fish from the bank a lot. 50/50 almost. Using kvd 1.5s, 2.5s, rapala dt6. What do you guys use for these type of lures? Rod length, power, action? Is glass necessary for squarebills? (for you other st. croix guys? What rod do you use for square bills specifically?) Thanks in advance! -AC
Mattfrom_NJ reply :
How often were you losing fish vs landing them w your current set up? Like you said, if it is not broken...
Alonerankin2 reply :
I use a mh/ f... For squarebills too...I have 0 issues .. Though I know this time of year , a lot of folks can use a medium/ moderate...it sounds like you are doing just fine! St. Croix is a fine company .. You're rod choice is solid. I don't care for 100% glass.. But that's me... Just me.. Other crankbaiters like it real well. Maybe try a glass rod? You may be pleasantly surprised....
Happy fishing!
roadwarrior reply :
AVC70MM for all medium weight treble hooks and especially square bills!
MichiganFishing1997 reply :
Just picked my square bill rod saturday, I know you want another St. Croix and I can't blame you, but I thought knowing what others used might help. I got a 7' MM Shimano Clarus that im very excited to use for cranks. More specifically KVD 1.0, 1.5, and other similar squarbills and mid depth cranks. I put a 6.4:1 PQ on it, spoiled with #12 diameter braid and a leader.
AC79Angler reply :
On 3/11/2014 at 12:21 AM, Mattfrom_NJ said:How often were you losing fish vs landing them w your current set up? Like you said, if it is not broken...
Honestly, i almost landed them all. I guess a good ratio would be 1-2(on a really bad day) out of 5 i would miss. There would be days though i would land all 5. I guess what had me look into getting a dedicated rod was because of the friend i fished with. I would land all 5 but some of the fish i caught were barely hooked as oppose to his fish who would just swallow the whole thing. We were using the same squarebill, same color. Only difference was that he was using a medium moderate and i was using a mh/fast. I tried his medium moderate but it felt really whippy to me. Kind of in a spot now where i feel like maybe i should learn and get use to a medium moderate if its the proper action and power?
AC79Angler reply :
On 3/11/2014 at 12:23 AM, Alonerankin2 said:I use a mh/ f... For squarebills too...I have 0 issues .. Though I know this time of year , a lot of folks can use a medium/ moderate...it sounds like you are doing just fine! St. Croix is a fine company .. You're rod choice is solid. I don't care for 100% glass.. But that's me... Just me.. Other crankbaiters like it real well. Maybe try a glass rod? You may be pleasantly surprised....
Happy fishing!
Glad to hear someone else is using a mh/fast! Maybe i won't have to switch. Just wondering if there was a better option out there. Never fished glass and i want to be pleasantly surprised but more afraid of being unpleasantly upset and disappointed. lol
OkeechobeeAngler reply :
I use a 7'6" medium Falcon Intercoastal for traps and squares.
Bass_Fanatic reply :
I have 3 Powell square bill rods. They are 6'9" h/mf and are a beast! I spent years looking for the perfect square bill rod and I finally found it.
AC79Angler reply :
On 3/11/2014 at 12:51 AM, Bass_Fanatic said:I have 3 Powell square bill rods. They are 6'9" h/mf and are a beast! I spent years looking for the perfect square bill rod and I finally found it.
Wow, a heavy? Didn't even think about that. I like the moderate fast action. Are they glass, composite or graphite?
Crankinstein reply :
On 3/11/2014 at 12:44 AM, AC79Angler said:Glad to hear someone else is using a mh/fast! Maybe i won't have to switch. Just wondering if there was a better option out there. Never fished glass and i want to be pleasantly surprised but more afraid of being unpleasantly upset and disappointed. lol
I actually use a MH/fast as well and I haven't had any issues with trebles tearing out. I'm in a similar debate though because I'm starting to throw a few more medium divers and would like to have just a little softer tip so I'm shopping around looking for the perfect rod. I don't really care for the rods that are just like a noodle. I'm going to make a post here in a month or two about my crankin set up and I have about 10 crankbaits I'm going to test out and review and hopefully that will be ready as well.
WIGuide reply :
I used to use a M/MF and a M/F without any issues. The only thing I did was make sure my drag was set fairly loose. This year I'm planning on trying out the St. Croix LTB Small Cranker. It'll be my first time using a moderate action rod for crankbaits, so I'm excited to see how it goes.
roadwarrior reply :
On 3/11/2014 at 1:52 AM, Crankinstein said:I actually use a MH/fast as well and I haven't had any issues with trebles tearing out. I'm in a similar debate though because I'm starting to throw a few more medium divers and would like to have just a little softer tip so I'm shopping around looking for the perfect rod. I don't really care for the rods that are just like a noodle. I'm going to make a post here in a month or two about my crankin set up and I have about 10 crankbaits I'm going to test out and review and hopefully that will be ready as well.
The OP said he likes St. Croix so I posted the AVC70MM which ilike a lot. However, if you are open to another suggestion
take a look at this Pinnacle: http://www.bassresource.com/fishing_lures/pinnacle-optimus-xlt-dhc-review.html
AC79Angler reply :
On 3/11/2014 at 1:52 AM, Crankinstein said:I actually use a MH/fast as well and I haven't had any issues with trebles tearing out. I'm in a similar debate though because I'm starting to throw a few more medium divers and would like to have just a little softer tip so I'm shopping around looking for the perfect rod. I don't really care for the rods that are just like a noodle. I'm going to make a post here in a month or two about my crankin set up and I have about 10 crankbaits I'm going to test out and review and hopefully that will be ready as well.
Great, i'm looking forward to your post. Maybe i'll wait to get a rod till after your reviews. Appreciate it.
Tim Kelly reply :
I don't know if this observation is going to help or just muddy the waters, but here goes. I have a St Croix Mojo 7'4" crankbait rod. It is glass and while the recovery time of the blank is slow, being glass, I would say that the rod has a fast taper in old school terms. I think this gives good backbone and solid hook setting and weed snapping. I have never used another crankbait rod, so don't know if that is standard spec, but I was pleasantly surprised at the way the rod works. If I were getting a rod specifically for squarebills I think I'd give the Mojo 6'10" a good squint first.
AC79Angler reply :
On 3/11/2014 at 2:53 AM, Tim Kelly said:I don't know if this observation is going to help or just muddy the waters, but here goes. I have a St Croix Mojo 7'4" crankbait rod. It is glass and while the recovery time of the blank is slow, being glass, I would say that the rod has a fast taper in old school terms. I think this gives good backbone and solid hook setting and weed snapping. I have never used another crankbait rod, so don't know if that is standard spec, but I was pleasantly surprised at the way the rod works. If I were getting a rod specifically for squarebills I think I'd give the Mojo 6'10" a good squint first.
This is exactly the rod i was looking at. Well the 6'10 version specifically. Seems like this is the only glass line that st. croix offers. Was worried about using it for casting into cover and structure because of the slower glass action. I think i'll jump in and give it a shot though. Thanks.
Bass_Fanatic reply :
I think it is a composite rod. It has a ton of backbone to bury those thick trebles on squarebills, but a forgiving tip that loads up just right and keeps fish buttoned. If you use squarebills like I do then you need a lot of backbone to pull fish out of heavy cover.On 3/11/2014 at 12:54 AM, AC79Angler said:Wow, a heavy? Didn't even think about that. I like the moderate fast action. Are they glass, composite or graphite?
Missourifishin reply :
On 3/11/2014 at 3:14 AM, AC79Angler said:This is exactly the rod i was looking at. Well the 6'10 version specifically. Seems like this is the only glass line that st. croix offers. Was worried about using it for casting into cover and structure because of the slower glass action. I think i'll jump in and give it a shot though. Thanks.
I've also had my eye on that rod for a while, to use for square bills and other shallow cranks. I've only been hesitant to buy it because I've never used a glass bass fishing rod before.
Delaware Valley Tackle reply :
I like a glass rod for deep cranks with long casts. I fish square bills shallow an around cover so the fish don't have as much chance to jump and throw a hook. I build my square bill rods on a M/MF composite blank. The M/M Avid Roadwarrior suggested is pretty comparable.
Siebert Outdoors reply :
I bought this one last fall. LXC78MHM Its a 7'8" Legend Xtreme MH Mod action. So far its the best crankbait rod I've ever thrown. Square bills are about the only crankbait I throw anymore.
TrapperJ reply :
i have more medium action rods than anything i to been keeping my eye on a potential SqB Rod. But leaning Duckett just cause i favor those rods.
my thinking is MH for bigger SqB and a M for smaller SqB?
mjseverson24 reply :
I have two squarebill rods, and i love both of them, the first is the skeet reese 7' glass, and the other is the shimano Clarus 7' M/M. These rods are perfect for the way i fish squarebills, which is predominately in grass and wood. If i were to get a st. croix for SB's I would go with the 6'10" Mojo glass...
Mitch
iabass8 reply :
dobyns 705cb glass. get one and you won't search for another cranking rod ever.
edit: sorry, didn't realize you wanted to stick with one company. I was a st. croix user for a long time. I used the 7' MHM mojo, 3 different LTB, and still have an xtreme 7'2 MHM. I don't like the LTB because of the sk2 real seat. I can't stand it. otherwise they were amazing. arguably the best moderate action on the market. the 7'MHM mojo was one versatile rod that could do a whole lot of everything.
AC79Angler reply :
On 3/11/2014 at 3:55 AM, Missourifishin said:I've also had my eye on that rod for a while, to use for square bills and other shallow cranks. I've only been hesitant to buy it because I've never used a glass bass fishing rod before.
Same worries here but I gotta try it at some point right? Or do I? Lol
AC79Angler reply :
On 3/11/2014 at 4:43 AM, iabass8 said:dobyns 705cb glass. get one and you won't search for another cranking rod ever.
edit: sorry, didn't realize you wanted to stick with one company. I was a st. croix user for a long time. I used the 7' MHM mojo, 3 different LTB, and still have an xtreme 7'2 MHM. I don't like the LTB because of the sk2 real seat. I can't stand it. otherwise they were amazing. arguably the best moderate action on the market. the 7'MHM mojo was one versatile rod that could do a whole lot of everything.
I have read a lot about this specific rod. The 705cb glass. I guess I'm a little too brand loyal. I've got a decent collection of st. Croix and want to stick to them. Mainly cause I'm use to the way they feel. I've heard pretty much nothing but great things about dobyns rods. Very tempted.
Crankinstein reply :
On 3/11/2014 at 2:38 AM, AC79Angler said:Great, i'm looking forward to your post. Maybe i'll wait to get a rod till after your reviews. Appreciate it.
I'm going to be doing the review on approx. 10 crankbaits and I'm going to be using three different rod/reel combos (2 mid range price, 1 high end). The crankbaits are going to mostly be high end because I feel like most people here are already familiar with/already have used SK, Rapala, etc. I'm hoping to eliminate some of that estimating we have to do about a baits value when we spend $10-20 on a single lure and also try out some small high end brands that most people may not be familiar with. The list I'm working with so far is..
Duo Realis M65
Megabass MRX cyclone and Griffon
Savage gear bone crank
Jackall Bling 55 and D Cherry
Lucky Craft mini MR
Munkin reply :
St Croix guy here as well and I use either a 6-6 or 7' MHM Premier rod. You can find these used at decent prices and they just work great. For tight spaces the 6-6 is more accurate by the 7' works better for open water.
Allen
masterbass reply :
I also use a mojo glass 7'4" for squarebills and other cranks. It keeps everything pinned.
SoFlaBassAddict reply :
On 3/11/2014 at 4:57 AM, AC79Angler said:I have read a lot about this specific rod. The 705cb glass. I guess I'm a little too brand loyal. I've got a decent collection of st. Croix and want to stick to them. Mainly cause I'm use to the way they feel. I've heard pretty much nothing but great things about dobyns rods. Very tempted.
Don't fall into temptation.... Dobyns rods can quickly empty your wallet 
That 705 CB Glass is just a killer rod. Use mine for traps, squarebills, jerkbaits, etc. It's an all around great rod for treble hook lures. I'm probably going to pick another one or two up before long.
Sherlock 60 reply :
Just picked up a Denali Kovert 6' 10" medium/moderate cranking rod last month for squarebills and other shallow cranks. Seems I pretty much hit the nail on the head regarding rods specs. Can't wait for the doggone ice to disappear so I can try it out.
Crankinstein reply :
On 3/11/2014 at 10:58 AM, Sherlock 60 said:Just picked up a Denali Kovert 6' 10" medium/moderate cranking rod last month for squarebills and other shallow cranks. Seems I pretty much hit the nail on the head regarding rods specs. Can't wait for the doggone ice to disappear so I can try it out.
That's one of the rods at the top of my want list right now and the 6"10" is the perfect length. Let me know how you like it
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