Could someone explain the differences between and respective advantages of these two styles of blanks for throwing crankbaits and jerkbaits.

Crank bait rod typically has a soft slower action tip...popping rod is generally faster

Phil,

I have a Rainshadow IP903 7'6" Popping blank that I use as a crankbait rod. I've had many crankin rods and this is by FAR the best one I've ever used.

I don't think it's very fast at all, it's a moderate action and I thought? all popping blanks were moderate action/slower to help keep fish attached on treble hooks and allow the fish more of a chance to suck in the lure before the rod reacts and pulls it out of the fish's mouth.

DR

Most popping and crankbait blanks have similar rod actions, usually in the medium fast to medium range. But most guys prefer to have soft tip with a stronger butt for cranksbaits, so the rod still casts good but you don't have to worry about using too stiff a rod and you can still fight a decent fish. These is especially true of rods for deep divers. But popping rods typically don't have a much backbone compared to most crank rods. You stee, when you fish topwater with a popping rod, you're more likely to hook'em when they hit. You have to be patient on your hookset when a fish blows up on a topwater and a heavier rod can be hindrance. Since the popping rod is "soft" and has enough tip to bend a bit without the fish feeling you, you can wait and get your nerves together for just a second or two longer before you set the hook. Plus, they are usually much lighter in overall weight and can toss a little 1/4oz. popper longs distance all day without wearing you out. I know a lot of guys who using both types of rods for their cranks and rip baits(jerkbaits), and many guys love the popping rods for both topwater and ripping. I use a Loomis CB blank myself because I need more power to get fish away from cover.

I use an 8ft Lamaglas popping blank that I love for fishing big crank baits. But use a "CRANK BAIT" blanks for the rest of my crank bait fishing. The advantage of my 8 footer is
1-I can cast it further than any crank bait rod I've ever had my hands on
2-I can stick 3ft' of it down in the water to get my bait down deeper with out doing what
is known as "kneeling and reeling"
3- the softer upper end provides a lot of cushin for fighting larger bass.

Down side- I have found, because of it’s softer upper 1/3 that If I use standard mono line, that has a lot of stretch. I lose more fish. (Not enough backbone for good hook set). So I use fluorocarbon to eliminate the problem.

I plan on building another one soon on the blank that DR suggests. Mostly because of some other input he offered in the past on that blank. But if they make it in an 8footer I will probably use that length.

Just to clarify....I did not say a Popping blank was fast.

"Crankbait" rods that I have seen have very slow tips.....for a while there were several manufactureers making commercial rods with a graphite butt section and a glass tip. I have never seen a popping rod like that???

For the record I don't like this type of rod...but each to his own. I also don't do a bunch of crankbait fishin either.

The only blank listed as 'popping' that I've used up to this point is the AmTak Matrix 6-12# model. For the line class I would list it as somewhat fast action with a good backbone. Makes for a great trout (saltwater) rod. I am interested in other 'popping' blanks, but it seems they don't all share the same action? I try to look at the tip and butt diameters and make an edjumacated guess at what the action will be like...I'm probably wrong most of the time!

I've never used a crankbait blank.

Jay

Have used my Loomis 7 ft 4 power popping rods for cranks for many years, also work for jerkbaits. I have some 4 power Lamiglas XP964 8 ft 4 power blanks that I'm playing with now to see how they do, so far they appear very similar. The 3 and 4 power popping rod blanks are a very versatile blank that can be used for many species and situations, stretched a 8 ft Lamiglas to 8 ft 6 in blank and trying it a salmon spinner rod.

Spencer,
that 964 is what Emory uses quite a few of and I think he also extends them to 8'6" and possibly 9' for the application you referenced. I use the 7'6" IMP764 model extended 3" and they are my goto rod for running plugs and small diver & baits. it really allows the plugs to perform well.

Todd

Regards,
Todd Vivian
Mud Hole Custom Tackle

todd@mudhole.com