When crankbaits are involved, you need to invest in the correct fishing rod if you don’t want to go home frustrated after a long day of casting.
We recommend the Dobyns Rods Champion Series Crankbait Rod with its lightweight construction and excellent sensitivity.
In this guide, we’ll show you the best crankbait rods to consider, regardless of budget.
With these options, your chances of having a bountiful catch and returning home fulfilled are greatly increased.
Let’s dive right in!
Here are our top 5 picks.
Best Crankbait Rod – Reviews & Buying Guide
Best Overall: Dobyns Rods Champion Series Crankbait Rod
Featured Specs
- Material: Graphite
- Size: 7ft
- Technique: Multi
This Dobyns crankbait rod is a medium-heavy mod-fast action fishing rod rated for 1/4 ounce to 1 ounce lures and 8 – 17 pound line.
It is designed to offer exceptional strength and weight without compromising flex, balance, and sensitivity.
Dobyns engineered this crankbait rod with high-end, premium features, including zero tangle guides with SiC inserts and Fuji graphite reel seat.
The light rod is a bit more expensive than many other crankbait rods, but it is worth considering if you want the very best option.
When bass fishing legend Gary Dobyn set out to design and create the 705CB Champion Series rod, you know you are getting the best crankbait rod for the money!
This rod is expertly crafted using graphite material for lightness and increased sensitivity. In fact, it is one of the most sensitive rods you’ll find for crankbait. You can literally feel the slightest hits.
When you get bites, the action is flawless and the fish easily hooks itself when you slightly lean into the hook set.
And while it is a very lightweight rod with incredible balance, it does not lack the necessary strength to fight even the most stubborn fish.
The medium-heavy mod-fast action rod has a length of 7feet, making it a great option for casting over great distances.
Being a moderate-fast action rod, it has ample flex that allows the hook to set properly, even if the catch is swimming away.
With the 705CB crankbait rod, you can easily use an 8 – 17 pound test fishing line without issues and cast lures weighing anywhere from 1/4 ounce to 1 ounce.
This model features Kevlar wrapping, AA-grade full cork grip, Fuji graphite reel seats, and zero tangle guides with SiC inserts.
For best results, consider using this rod with crankbaits, Staycee 90, Sammys, Lipless Rattlebaits, LV500, and Jerkbaits.
Pros
- Outstanding sensitivity and balance
- Kigan guides reduce chances of tangles
- Fuji graphite reel seat
- Lightweight yet strong
- Suitable for a variety of applications
Cons
- The real seat threads tend to be on the shorter side
Runner Up: Halo Fishing Crankin’ Series II Crankbait Casting Rod
Featured Specs
- Material: Glass
- Size: 7ft
- Technique: Multi
The reasonably-priced Crankin’ Series II Crankbait Casting Rod from Halo Fishing is a well-made rod featuring some major improvements over the original series.
This all-new model is designed to deliver technique-specific crankbait and reaction bait applications. It comes in a lightweight glass construction, EVA butt grips, and premium stainless steel guides.
The rod is equipped with a cork handle and a custom-designed reel seat. This is arguably the best crankbait rod under $100.
The good folks back at Halo Rods took things up a notch with the new Crankin’ Series II Crankbait Rod.
Anglers will be pleased with this superbly-built lightweight crankbait rod, thanks to its premium glass construction. It has an excellent soft tip and provides just the right bend necessary for fishing crankbaits and reaction baits.
With the Cranking Series II in your hand, you can be sure of being in complete control even when fighting large fish. That’s because the rod loads up pretty well with all the backbone a good crankbait rod needs to tackle a big fish.
In addition to plenty of backbone, the rod offers superior sensitivity while being very strong and durable.
In terms of features, Halo Rods equipped this new model with a handful of remarkable characteristics befitting of a good crankbait rod.
You get a custom-designed high-quality reel seat that provides an ergonomic and comfortable base for your fishing reel.
You also get EVA butt grips with a good-quality cork handle that minimizes fatigue even if you choose to cast all day.
To maximize casting performance, Halo Rods fitted the rod blank with precisely spaced guides.
The guides are made from high-quality stainless steel materials, making them suitable to withstand braided fishing lines.
Consider this model if you want a suitable crankbait rod that’s great for a variety of crankbait and reaction bait applications.
Pros
- High-quality glass blank
- Strong and durable crankbait rod
- EVA butt grips provide all-day comfort
- Stainless steel guides increase casting performance
- High-quality guides are suitable for use with braided lines
Cons
- Seems to be a little tip heavy
Alternative: Denali Rods Lithium Crankbait Casting Rod
Featured Specs
- Material: Composite
- Size: 7ft
- Technique: Casting
The Denali Lithium Crankbait Rod boasts eye-catching graphics with a distinctive silver-graphite construction toward the rod’s bottom.
The feature-rich rod comes in an interlocking blank design and is incredibly versatile. Consider going with this option if you want a reasonably-priced crankbait rod that’s as light as a feather.
Besides all the bells and whistles, this rod delivers superior casting performance and has plenty of backbone to fight big game fish.
Plus, Denali Rods backs it up with a limited lifetime warranty so you can confidently buy the rod without fear of something not working as advertised.
Want to feel every slight touch on your bait? You’ll hardly go wrong with Denali’s Lithium Crankbait Casting Rod.
It offers incredible sensitivity for a rod in its current price range. And on top of this, the rod delivers the perfect action for casting heavy baits over long distances as well as the right amount of backbone for fighting large fish.
The Lithium casting rod is probably one of the lightest rods you’ll find on the market for throwing jigs and crankbait.
That’s not surprising considering it is constructed using interlock blank technology that’s 20% lighter than other models in the manufacturer’s lineup.
It is so light that you’re not likely to feel exhausting with this rod even if you choose to fish from sun-up to sun-down.
In addition to this, the rod features a split grip cork handle with soft EVA accents, giving you ultimate control and better comfort.
While this is one of the most gorgeous-looking crankbait rods on the market, it is designed to offer exceptional durability. So it’s not just about cosmetics.
Denali fitted this rod with several ring-lock semi-micro guides and an ultra-light ergonomic reel seat, giving it a well-deserved spot on our list of the best crankbait rod.
Pros
- Outstanding sensitivity
- Feather light blank
- The remarkable parabolic nature is suitable for jerkbaits
- Sleek design, well-built, and versatile
- Limited lifetime warranty
Cons
- Split grip handle design might not be suitable for catching stubborn fish
Alternative: Lew’s KVD Crankbait Casting Rod
Featured Specs
- Material: Graphite
- Size: 7ft 10in
- Technique: Casting
Lew’s did some amazing job with the KVD series. The rod gives anglers a perfect balance of strength, lightweight, and sensitivity so they can fish in just about any condition.
Some of its distinguishing features include and the brand’s proprietary full contact reel seat that offers increased contact with the blank.
The rod also features a No Foul Hook Keeper. It might not be as expensive as other crankbait rods, but it definitely is worth considering if want something designed to provide competition-level performance.
Our best crankbait rod list would be incomplete without this rod designed by the all-time money winner in professional bass fishing, Kevin VanDam (or KVD for short).
Lew’s KVD comes in a premium IM8 graphite blank for increased sensitivity and lightweight performance. The rod features a split grip EVA handle, making it a great pick for an all-day fishing adventure.
To take the sensitivity to a higher level, the reel seat has a full-contact feature with the blank. This enhances the transmission of vibration into your hand so you can feel even the slightest hit.
Casting with this rod is extremely smooth, thanks to the stainless steel guide and aluminum oxide insert.
You don’t have to worry about braided lines causing any damages because Lew’s equipped the rod with a zirconia insert tip top for maximum durability.
With the No Foul Hook Keeper, your fishing line won’t get fouled up even when it goes slack. Plus, your baits are secured when you transport them.
One more thing we like about this rod is the finish. The graphite blank has a rich midnight fire red finish from top to bottom with a black guide wrap.
Pros
- Proprietary Full Contact reel seat
- Line flows smoothly during casts
- No foul hook keep for securing baits during transport
- Suitable for use with braided lines
- Durable construction
Cons
- Split grip handle might feel weird to cast for some people
Alternative: Lew’s Fishing David Fritts Crankbait Rod
Featured Specs
- Material: Graphite/Glass Composite
- Size: 6ft 8in
- Technique: Casting
We recommend the David Fritts Perfect Crankbait Rod for anyone looking to buy a good budget crankbait rod. In fact, this is the best budget crankbait rod you can find without too many tradeoffs for its considerably low price.
Some of its noteworthy features include a lightweight graphite reel seat, rugged stainless steel frame with aluminum oxide insert, and cushioned hood for the reel seat.
Choose this option if you want the best deep diving crankbait rod. Plus, it is an ideal choice if you want to cast crankbaits over great distances.
Constructed from a fine blend of graphite and glass, Lew’s David Fritts Perfect Crankbait Rod should be on your radar if you are in the market for a cheap rod that can perform nearly as high-end options.
Don’t be fooled by its low price tag; this rod is specially designed with ample strength for long-distance casts with crankbaits as well as for controlling them.
And when it comes time to fight big fish, you can count on its flexibility and backbone to make a solid hook set and effortlessly boat your catch.
The rod is fitted with durable guides made from stainless steel frames and aluminum oxide inserts. This combination helps you launch crankbaits into greater distances.
It also comes with a lightweight graphite reel seat that has a stainless steel cushion hood. That means the reel will fit comfortably in your hands, allowing you to cast for long periods without feeling wrist fatigue.
In addition to being an excellent budget pick, this is also the best crankbait rod for deep diving crankbaits on this list.
Its extreme sensitivity will allow you to feel even the slightest hit from deep down the water.
The solid construction combined with its impressive performance makes this option the best crankbait rod under $100 currently available on the market.
Pros
- Affordable crankbait rod
- Stainless steel cushioned hood on the reel seat
- Smooth line flow during casting
- Best lipless crankbait rod
- Strong rod yet very flexible
Cons
- Might have some quality control issues
Crankbait Rod FAQ
What is the best size rod for crankbaits?
Casting distance is a top consideration when choosing crankbait rods. This means a longer rod will provide the right amount of energy to make longer casts.
Conversely, choosing a rod that is too short or even too long will negatively impact your overall effectiveness, especially during casting.
However, it is important to understand the benefits and downsides of the different crankbait rod lengths to help you decide which one works best for your fishing condition.
Longer Rods
Consider choosing crankbait rods that fall in the range of 7-foot to 8-foot if you want to achieve the longest distance. While these options will cover a lot of water, you will not likely get plenty of accuracy.
Fortunately, casting further or longer is more important to most anglers, particularly when covering a deep ledge or large grass flat.
Extra-long rods might be great, but portability and transportation might be an issue. You want to strike a balance between size and convenience when choosing the best crankbait rod.
Shorter Rods
If you plan to fish up close, a shorter rod would be an ideal choice. Of course, you won’t the advantage of casting distance but a short crankbait rod will allow you to throw lures with greater accuracy.
Rod lengths within the range of 6-foot to 6.5-foot will be ideal if you fish around covers, such as laydowns and docks.
How do I choose a crankbait rod?
Keep the following in mind when you go shopping for a good crankbait rod:
Material
When it comes to construction materials, the two most common options are graphite and fiberglass.
While both are great options, they have their downsides.
One of the best things about fiberglass crankbait rods is their action. They have a naturally slower, more moderate action, which is great for fishing crankbait.
But fiberglass rods tend to be less sensitive than graphite rods. They are a bit heavier, too.
Thanks to modern technology, graphite rods tend to have moderate action. But this action is not as slower and more moderate as fiberglass.
On the plus side, graphite rods are usually more sensitive and lighter than fiberglass rods.
Their lightness means you are not likely to feel tired even if you cast crankbaits all day. And their sensitivity allows you to easily tell whether you have an actual bite or its vibration from grass, rock, mud, or something else.
Rod Power
The rating for rod power can be a bit confusing because manufacturers tend to rate their products differently. What one manufacturer describes as medium power, another may call medium heavy.
The important to know is that power refers to the amount of pressure it takes to flex a rod. In other words, be sure to choose a rod that matches the lure weight you plan to cast.
A crankbait that’s too heavy for your rod will lead to wrist fatigue after a short time out on the water. It can also cause the rod to break during casting.
On the other hand, a lure that is too light for your rod will compromise casting distance as well as accuracy.
For this reason, it is important to read the specifications of a rod, giving particular attention to the suggested lure weight. This will help you to avoid mismatching.
Rod Action
Rod action refers to where the rod bend starts. The backbone starts where the rod stops bending.
For the best results, it is usually best to choose a moderately slow action rod if you want to fish crankbaits. This type fishing of rod will bend halfway down the blank.
Is a fast action rod good for crankbaits?
Fast action rods are not the best option if you plan to use crankbaits. These types of fishing lures require a rod with a moderately slow action.
Casting crankbait is a lot easier and more effective with a moderately slow action rod. Also, it allows for better hookups.
Keep in mind that you want the treble hooks of your crankbait sink in deeper when the fish strikes. This can only happen seamlessly if you use a rod that has the correct flex.
A fast action rod is typically stiffer. That means it is likely to rip or tear the lure out of the fish’s mouth when the strike happens.
Consider choosing a soft or medium action rod, whether that’s a baitcasting rod or the best crankbait spinning rod you can find.
In addition to doing an excellent job of keeping the fish hooked, a soft or medium action rod will provide the following benefits:
- Less likely to hang up your lure when fishing in rocky or stump-filled areas. That’s because a moderately slow action rod is a lot more forgiving. Stiffer action rods will drive your crankbait into these obstacles.
- Allows for greater casting distance which lets the crankbait to sink to its maximum depth in the water.
- Allows you to maintain a steady and correct amount of tension when fighting fish, even when your catch tries to suddenly swim underneath your boat or toward cover.
What is a heavy rod good for?
Heavy action rods are good for spinnerbaits, bladed jigs, buzzbaits, or lures with treble hooks. A heavy-action rod will be an ideal choice if you prefer lures that generate reaction strikes.
They are also good for single-hooked baits, such as jigs and plastic worms. Anglers who use flipping and pitching techniques will also find heavy rods well suited for these fishing styles.
Conclusion
The most important thing to keep in mind when choosing the best crankbait rod is the type of crankbait you plan to fish with and where you will be throwing it.
While rod weight and length are important, you want to choose a rod with moderate to slow action if you want great results working with crankbaits.
All the models on this list are great, but consider going with the 705CB Champion Series if you want the absolute best crankbait rod. If the price is a bit out of your budget, you may want to consider Halo Fishing’s crankbait rod.
Reference Articles
