hello everyone. I am sure this topic has been gone over many times before but I am pretty new to rod building and would like some input on good relatively inexpensive crankbait rod blanks. I am looking to build a few different ones for various applications. I am debating between fiberglass or graphite. just wondering what other peoples thoughts are regarding this. pro's and con's of both? here is a list of some of the blanks I have been looking at. I am sure there are many others I am not aware of. happy holidays

rx7 crankbait series
forecast e-glass
mhx blend

Check out the Batson line at Get Bit Outdoors, there on the left side. Nice bunch to work with and very helpful and fast on service.

Chester

May your line be tight and your beverages be cold!

Get hold of Lance at swampland ( sponsor on left) and get a Seeker RFLE in S glass of a length and power to suit the fish, waters you target and the lures you throw. I like them spinning others like them casting.

I personally don't care for glass due to its weight. Graphite can be made to have any action wanted, and it will always be lighter and more sensitive than glass. (OK, everyone, shoot holes in the argument). The Amtak Bushido blanks are really nice and moderately priced. I've built the lighter of the CB blanks and love it.

You're correct, action has nothing to do with the material the rod is made from.

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I build just about all of my Crankin rods on Popping blanks anymore. You can get them in various powers. My guys love them.

J.B.Hunt
Bowling Green, KY

thanks guys

give Lance a call at Swampland and ask about some of their Castaways if you like graphite or as previously mentioned as them about the blanks that were designed by Rich Forhan.

A lot of bassing folks have used fiberglass for cranking because the rods are softer than graphite and less likely to pull the hooks out of the fish's mouth on hookset. I have
two casting rods of fiberglass and really like them. I also have some graphite casting rods and really like them. It is a matter of taste. Either will work, you just have to
experiment and find what you prefer. I definitely use graphite for the finess type rods. All of the vendors mentioned above are first class and will help you with selections.

James, I prefer graphite casting rods for crankbaits/spinnerbaits. The graphite gives me better feel of the lure wobble and if it bumps into rocks or wood or picks up debris. But yes I also like the rod to be a little softer. So I use the St Croix Premier 70MF. Their Avid and more expensive rods are a little too firm or "tight" for my taste in this application.
Like anything else, each individual develops a personal preference so there isn't one "right" answer.

John

James
You need to have an idea on what type of c-baits you will be throwing. I use Batson's myself but the brands listed above are fine. I have 4 different blanks, 3 are out of their crankbait line and 1 is a popping blank. Thats not counting the jerk baits. Crankbait rods are like a bag of golf clubs. What is it, 13 clubs to a bag?