Need crankbait rod & reel advice. KVD convinced me... 2025
chris55552 reply :
I was very fortunate to see Kevin van dam win the elite series on Toledo bend last weekend, I witnessed him catch several bass using a crankbait in deep water on Toledo bend and would like to learn to use a crankbait in deep water. What would you guys recommend for throwing 5-10 XD crankbait said in deep water.
Rod?
Reel?
Line?
new2BC4bass reply :
Deep cranks are something I don't use, but have done a bit of reading on it. The reel is the easiest to suggest. One with a ratio around 5.4:1, I think it is roadwarrior that said the best deep cranking rod is a Lamiglass that is no longer made....a 705 something. I bet Phenix X-rods are another contender. I'd be willing to bet some are going to mention Dobyns. I just got the 704CB Glass (thanks to a generous member or I couldn't have afforded it), but I think the 705 would be suggested for deep divers. I heard the Airrus Micropuls is a nice rod, but it isn't one you will find mentioned here.
Now if you are like me these rods are going to be a little too expensive. I have a couple that I think would work....both HMGs. A 7'2" Medium Mod-Fast and a 7'2" M-F-CB. Got both off FFO for $58.88 plus tax and shipping so almost $73. Possibly an older Airrus Ultra XL 7' MH Co-Matrix (a surprisingly light rod). But like I said, I don't throw deep divers so I am only guessing.
I use a 12# mono or co-polymer on rods of that power and see no need to switch.
EDIT: Okay. Where are all the knowledgeable guys hiding out at? I know they aren't out fishing. At least not in my part of the country unless they are catfishing. 
Mumbly reply :
I don't use deep cranks either so I am of little use in terms of equipment needed but perhaps info from KVD himself on what he used will help.
There was another video after the event but I am unable to locate it at the moment. Maybe the one below will help a bit.
http://www.bassmaster.com/video/first-look-davy-hite-kevin-vandam-toledo-bend
lakeannaangler reply :
I don't throw them much but when I do I throw them on a 7' 11" veritas winch with a low gear real and 10lb fluorocarbon.
papajoe222 reply :
A reel with a low (4.5-5.5) gear ratio will make the task of deep crankin a little easier. Look for a rod that can handle the heavier baits. In this case a technique specific rod is the way to go. Having one with a long handle will also make the task a little easier. Line choice boils down to personal preference, but small diameter combined with low stretch is beneficial.
The line is the only item I'll recommend and it's 10lb. Yo-Zuri Hybrid UltraSoft. It's the best, all around, cranking line I've found. I'm sure there are others that opt for one of the fluorocarbon lines, but I feel this one is not only affordable, but a better choice over them.
gulfcaptain reply :
Simple answer, Quantum EXO 200 5:4.1 or a Smoke 150 (same gear ratio) and for say 5XD/6XD's I use a 7'11" MH Quantum Tour KVD Cranking rod, but if you're looking to go with the 8XD/10XD size, well better bump up to the Heavier version. You want a composite rod and these are actually quite light. Also crank with a EXO 100 5:4 on a KVD Tour 7'4"MH which will also throw the 5XD's as well as smaller cranks like a 3XD.
Line, well I fish braid on everything so I use 30lb flourobraid on the 200 size reel with 12lb FC leader and then normally 20-30lb regular braid on the 100 size with 10-12lb FC or mono depending on what I want. if I want to fish a deeper crankbait shallower, then I bump my line up to 20lb mono which keeps them a little higher in the water. Can result in using a 5XD which will run 15ft on 12lb up to 10ft on 20lb.
kcdinkerz reply :
I also used the veritas winch with a revo winch. Since I'm downsizing I had to let it go. Wright n McGill made a Rick clunn series for fairly cheap it was big and heavy but handled every dd crank I threw.
BrianinMD reply :
Dobyns champion 765CB with a curado 200e5. Works great. I have mine spooled with 12lb abrazx flouro.
A-Jay reply :
On 5/18/2016 at 7:36 AM, chris55552 said:I was very fortunate to see Kevin van dam win the elite series on Toledo bend last weekend, I witnessed him catch several bass using a crankbait in deep water on Toledo bend and would like to learn to use a crankbait in deep water. What would you guys recommend for throwing 5-10 XD crankbait said in deep water.
Rod?
Reel?
Line?
Why not just use the same gear KVD used ?
You know it works.
A-Jay
roadwarrior reply :
On 5/18/2016 at 7:11 PM, A-Jay said:Why not just use the same gear KVD used ?
You know it works.
A-Jay
Well, if I were looking for something new I'm with A-Jay, duplicate KVD's gear.
GetJigginWithIt reply :
Look at the bps cranking stick for a rod. These rods excel for crank baits. I use 12lb pline c21 for all of my cranking. I am beyond the norm for reel since I use a tat 6.3 ratio. You cannot go wrong with the cranking stick from BPS.
lakeannaangler reply :
On 5/18/2016 at 7:38 PM, GetJigginWithIt said:Look at the bps cranking stick for a rod. These rods excel for crank baits. I use 12lb pline c21 for all of my cranking. I am beyond the norm for reel since I use a tat 6.3 ratio. You cannot go wrong with the cranking stick from BPS.
How good are the longer heavy powered crankin sticks. I have one but it's the 6'6" medium light and i'm thinking of getting another one in a heavier power and longer length.
Choporoz reply :
10XD weighs about 3 pounds. I throw it and 6th Sense Crush 500DD with my telephone pole - TCS Mat Daddy (7'11"H)
I'm less worried about having glass characteristics than about casting them
zdunham reply :
Check out the Kistler Mark Rose Offshore rods. They have 2 different 7'11" models depending on the size of crankbait you are using. I would pair it with a Lews BB1 in a low gear ratio.
roadwarrior reply :
If you plan to fish deep divers and/ or heavy lures you REALLY NEED dedicated gear. On the other hand, if you are only fishing these lures occasionally, your jig rod will work. The main advantage of a long rod is a significant difference in casting distance, but for me, I prefer using the trolling motor and long lining the lures over, in and around structure and cover...no casting distance required.
Bass_Fanatic reply :
I throw 10xds religiously. I use a Dobyns 806cb with a daiwa tatula in 5:1 gear ratio. As for line, I like 16lb sniper of 10xds. I'll drop down to 12lb sniper for 5,6, and 8xds. The Dobyns 805 is better suited for 5,6 and 8xds.
new2BC4bass reply :
On 5/18/2016 at 9:19 PM, Choporoz said:10XD weighs about 3 pounds. I throw it and 6th Sense Crush 500DD with my telephone pole - TCS Mat Daddy (7'11"H)
I'm less worried about having glass characteristics than about casting them
Wow. Wish all my fish weighed at least that much. 
GetJigginWithIt reply :
On 5/18/2016 at 9:05 PM, lakeannaangler said:How good are the longer heavy powered crankin sticks. I have one but it's the 6'6" medium light and i'm thinking of getting another one in a heavier power and longer length.
All the models are good. Great sensitivity and backbone when needed.
fishballer06 reply :
A 5xd and a 10xd need totally different rods. A 5xd is only 5/8oz. Where as the 10xd is 2oz.
To throw oversized cranks like a 10xd, you need a cranking rod that will easily handle 2.5 - 3oz.
pverdugo53 reply :
On 5/18/2016 at 8:56 AM, new2BC4bass said:Deep cranks are something I don't use, but have done a bit of reading on it. The reel is the easiest to suggest. One with a ratio around 5.4:1, I think it is roadwarrior that said the best deep cranking rod is a Lamiglass that is no longer made....a 705 something. I bet Phenix X-rods are another contender. I'd be willing to bet some are going to mention Dobyns. I just got the 704CB Glass (thanks to a generous member or I couldn't have afforded it), but I think the 705 would be suggested for deep divers. I heard the Airrus Micropuls is a nice rod, but it isn't one you will find mentioned here.
Now if you are like me these rods are going to be a little too expensive. I have a couple that I think would work....both HMGs. A 7'2" Medium Mod-Fast and a 7'2" M-F-CB. Got both off FFO for $58.88 plus tax and shipping so almost $73. Possibly an older Airrus Ultra XL 7' MH Co-Matrix (a surprisingly light rod). But like I said, I don't throw deep divers so I am only guessing.
I use a 12# mono or co-polymer on rods of that power and see no need to switch.
EDIT: Okay. Where are all the knowledgeable guys hiding out at? I know they aren't out fishing. At least not in my part of the country unless they are catfishing.
I would suggest a higher gear ratio maybe around 7 to help you get it down deep quickly and then slow up on your retrieve once at depth. I don't fish that deep but I would also suggest at least 15-20 lb poly not only because of depth but the old saying of deep water big fish and I know if I hook up with a fish 20+ feet down I'm not loosing it because my line couldn't handle it.
new2BC4bass reply :
On 6/1/2016 at 10:37 PM, pverdugo53 said:I would suggest a higher gear ratio maybe around 7 to help you get it down deep quickly and then slow up on your retrieve once at depth. I don't fish that deep but I would also suggest at least 15-20 lb poly not only because of depth but the old saying of deep water big fish and I know if I hook up with a fish 20+ feet down I'm not loosing it because my line couldn't handle it.
I am getting so I like the faster ratio reels. However, I thought the main idea behind slower ratio gears for deep cranking was for the torque.
blckshirt98 reply :
On 5/18/2016 at 7:11 PM, A-Jay said:Why not just use the same gear KVD used ?
You know it works.
A-Jay
I think there's still some stigma about buying Quantum gear even if it has KVD's approval. In almost every thread where someone is asking for rod/reel recommendations I hardly ever see anyone mention anything by Quantum...they're like the black sheep of the fishing world. They need to figure out and copy what Lew's did to get their reels pushed up to top tier of recommended reels.
A-Jay reply :
On 6/2/2016 at 12:34 AM, blckshirt98 said:I think there's still some stigma about buying Quantum gear even if it has KVD's approval. In almost every thread where someone is asking for rod/reel recommendations I hardly ever see anyone mention anything by Quantum...they're like the black sheep of the fishing world. They need to figure out and copy what Lew's did to get their reels pushed up to top tier of recommended reels.
I'd tend to agree. That said, the Quantum products in their entry level and secondary lines have earned a poor reputation which no doubt negatively affects the products at the top of the line. Deserved or not, I use a ton of the top gear and it works for me; especially the cranking gear. And it's not really that $$ relatively speaking.
As for following the Lews company Brand profile http://www.lews.com/ourstory.php ~
I'll say Quantum is doing the best they can with what they have - and who they have speaks volumes - at least to me.
http://shop.zebcobrands.com/pros
A-Jay
blckshirt98 reply :
Oh man that Hackney glamour shot almost made me spit out my coffee lolol
WRB reply :
Cashion makes a specific 10XD crankbait rod.
Tom
Robert Riley reply :
I use a Dobyns 806cb with a Lew's BB1 in 5:1 spooled with #10 YZH.
rangerjockey reply :
I never throw the 10xd ,but for the 5 and 6 ,DD22, Z boss ect. I use a mojo big crankster along with a curado E5 and 8 lb. Invisx.
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