9 Best Crankbait Rods In The Market

Most spinning rods can work fine in any given condition but they will start to struggle if you cast them further.

This is because the majority of them are shorter rods and they are not good for long casting distances.

Even if you are able to cast them further, they will not perform as well as a cranking specific rod.

Most crankbait rods are designed to cast further with perfect accuracy, most manufacturers use a cranking reel to get the most out of these rods.

In short, cranking rods are the best remedy for your casting distance issues.

However, you will need to do a lot of research to find the best rod for your crankbait fishing.

Worry not because we have compiled a list of the best crankbait rod reviews down below for your ease.

At a Glance

Top 9 Crankbait Rods Of 2022

The St. Croix Rods Mojo Bass Glass Rod is a highly efficient and high-performing glass rod for crankbait fishing.

The Croix Mojo Bass has a glass construction that allows longer casts and gives your crankbait a better action in the water, allowing you to catch more fish in a shorter time.

Although most casting rods can be used for throwing crankbaits, especially smaller ones, they can start to struggle if you use larger ones.

The Croix Mojo Bass is a crankbait-specific rod that provides excellent performance with square bills, lipless cranks, and chatter baits.

The Mojo Green Metallic color is aesthetically pleasing and will surely turn many heads.

Pros

• Glass construction provides slingshot ability
• Aesthetically pleasing look

Cons

• It does not have a full cork

The St. Croix Rods Mojo Bass Glass Casting Rod is the best crankbait rod because of how smoothly it can cast heavy lures and its increased sensitivity.

It is a great rod for casting quarter-ounce crankbaits and allows you to handle them relatively easily.

Moreover, the rod offers great casting and you will see that your lures will go further with the same reel and line.

The rod is a great action that allows easier casting for your bass fishing expeditions.

Most bass anglers complain that the fish throw out the hooks because the hooks tear holes in their mouth.

This is because most rods are too heavy and they tear holes when you set the hook.

On the other hand, St. Croix has medium power moderate action, allowing the rod to bend along its length and providing a cushion when the hook is set.

Most rods now are graphite, but this construction makes the rod stiffer than a glass rod.

Therefore, St. Croix has used fiberglass for its crankbait rods.

In conclusion, St. Croix Mojo Bass Glass Crankbait rods are some of the best for crankbait fishing under $150.

They are available in various lengths and actions so you can choose the perfect one.

The St. Croix Bass X Casting Rod is a great crankbait rod for bass anglers and offers great value for money.

This dedicated crankbait rod has the best in class casting performance and allows you to target areas that are far away.

Moreover, it does not compromise on the handling and accuracy when you cast it at longer distances.

This rod features new engineered SCII carbon fiber construction that is not only strong but provides it with a lightweight body.

This fishing rod uses a proprietary Fortified Resin System (FRS) technology.

It is the best rod for fishing crankbaits and lighter lures.

Pros

• Well-built
• Uses Aluminum oxide inserts
• Full-grip premium-grade EVA handle

Cons

• Cost more than other crankbait rods

The St. Croix Bass X is the best crankbait rod for quality construction and excellent casting distance.

This rod has an SCII construction that provides strength and integrity and makes it reliable.

The SCII material also makes this rod sensitive so you can feel every twitch and nibble from the fish.

BassX is versatile with rods specialized in fishing a finesse drop shot to a swimbait.

The rod blank has two coats of Flex-Coat with a slow cure finish to protect it from harsh conditions.

It also has a hybrid guide platform, aluminum-oxide guides with black frames, and stainless guides with a PVD-coated tip.

The full-grip premium grade EVA handle on swimbait casting models offers a comfortable handling position for your hands.

You will find a parabolic bend along the rod length, which provides power to throw crankbaits at a further distance.

Moreover, the 5-year warranty provided by the St. Croix Superstar Service makes it an attractive option for people who want a rod that will last for years to come.

The St. Croix rods are well known for their premium quality features, high performance, and the Bass X meets these expectations.

Therefore, if you are looking for a decently priced rod from St. Croix for crankbait fishing, you should choose this option.

It is a versatile rod that will last for years to come.

The Lew’s David Fritts Perfect Crankbait Rod is available in various sizes and power options.

It has a black finish and stainless steel frames with aluminum oxide construction.

Providing the rod a smooth and easy flow of line while casting and retrieval.

For $80, this crankbait rod lies in the affordable range, therefore it is very popular among newbie anglers.

This crankbait rod has excellent flexibility, allowing it to bend over when battling larger hard-hitting fish.

It can easily handle headshakes and all efforts made by the fish to set itself free, which makes it a highly dependable crankbait rod.

Pros

• Lightweight
• Good flex
• Great with crankbaits

Cons

• Heavier than others

The Lew’s David Fritts Perfect Crankbait Speed Stick Casting Rod is one of the best crankbait rods because of its flexibility and excellent built quality.

The rod blanks of this series are made from 42 million modulus graphite/fiberglass composite construction.

This not only provides strength to the rod but also makes it flexible and lightweight.

This is a moderate action rod that provides a parabolic arc along the rod length, therefore helping in casting longer distances.

The stainless steel guides have aluminum oxide inserts that provide a seamless casting experience.

What truly makes this rod stand out is its ability to throw lipless crankbaits without any effort while maintaining accuracy and precision.

This medium power rod has a very soft tip that provides sensitivity and cushion for hook settings.

However, the rod backbone is very sturdy and gives you the required muscle to wrestle with moderate-sized fish.

The soft tip makes it easy to figure out bumps with weeds and other underwater plants.

Like any other quality crankbait rod, this rod comes with a full cork handle and EVA butt caps that provide comfortable handling even when the rod gets wet.

The reel seat of this rod can get loose after a few hours of casting, so you will need to tighten it again.

You might also feel that it is a little heavier than other similarly priced options but since it is so well built we can easily overlook this drawback.

Overall, the Lew’s David Perfect Crankbait Rod is one of the best cranking rods out there because of its excellent build quality and flexibility.

The G. Loomis E6X Inshore Fishing Rod is a recent introduction to the market and provides an affordable crankbait fishing solution to the mainstream angler.

However, it is not the cheapest option but its price tag of around $180 is justified thanks to its excellent quality and performance.

The G. Loomis E6X Inshore Fishing rods feature multi-taper technology, which reduces weight and increases sensitivity.

It also has a surprising power-to-weight ratio for handling numerous inshore species.

These crankbait fishing rods are equipped with the latest technology and provide an unmatched fishing experience.

The E6X inshore fishing cranking rod has ocean blue graphics that give the rod a more subtle look.

Pros

• Lightweight
• Well balanced
• Lifetime warranty
• Excellent Quality

Cons

• Too expensive

The G. Loomis E6X Inshore Fishing Rod is the best crankbait rod because of its well-balanced construction and versatile applications.

The E6X is a great cranking rod for throwing deep-diving crankbaits.

Moreover, its carbon fiber rod blank uses a multi-taper technology that incorporates low resin with a high strain rate carbon fiber.

This makes the rod strong and lightweight at the same time.

Using this particular construction technique also provides this cranking rod with a uniform wall thickness and minimizes weak points in the blank.

As a result, the angler enjoys a more precise action and amazing sensitivity.

The E6X inshore saltwater series rods feature a full cork handle that makes it easy to handle this rod and gives it a balanced design.

To compensate for casting with a heavier lure weight the butt is composed of a composite cork and has a slightly higher density.

The rod also boasts a Fuji reel seat and fuji aluminum guides that provide low friction for your braided line.

The new E6X Inshore Saltwater series was engineered to focus on the proper rod balance that is needed for inshore bait and lure techniques.

The multi-taper technology truly makes the E6X stand out in the crowd because it provides light, sensitive, yet powerful rods for all types of inshore saltwater techniques, specifically speaking crankbait fishing.

In conclusion, the E6X is the best mid-budget crankbait rod that you can buy right now without having to worry about quality or performance issues.

The Dobyns Rods Champion Fishing Series Rod provides high-quality features and performance.

Although this particular series is offered in a variety of power, actions, and lengths, we will be talking about the 7-foot casting model.

This crankbait rod has a high modulus graphite blank that comes with highly compacted graphite near-line guides.

This particular update provides strength to the most vulnerable part of the rod blank – points where line guides are attached.

The manufacturer also reinforced the rod tip with a special coating while making sure there is no loss of sensitivity.

Pros

• High-quality guides
• Large ergonomic handle
• Reinforced blank

Cons

• It is a tad expensive

The Dobyns Rods Champion XP Series Casting Crankbait Rod is the best crankbait rod because of its premium quality features and excellent performance.

The rod sports a high modulus graphite blank that provides it with a strong backbone and enhances overall rod quality.

Champion XP Series crankbait rod is light, strong, sensitive, and perfectly balanced, which makes it the perfect choice for anyone who wants to fish crankbaits.

This crankbait rod comes equipped with fuji guides and a Fuji reel seat; these features ensure smooth line flow while casting and retrieval.

It comes with an ergonomic cork split handle that is very comfortable to hold and does not cause arm fatigue.

If we compare this rod with other bass fishing rods, it is more capable when casting crankbaits with heavier lure weight.

This jerkbait rod comes with a kevlar wrapping to keep it protected. Moreover, the line guides are supported with two supports and coated to prevent abrasion.

Dobyns Rods Champion XP 7’ Casting rod, the one we are reviewing, is rated for a line weight of 8-20lb and lure weight of 1/4 – 1oz.

You can also use it for shallow crankbaits and topwater baits therefore, it can be used for various fish.

The medium-heavy power and fast action make it an ideal choice for anglers that want to fish large fish.

To provide a comfortable fishing experience, the rod uses fuji reel seats.

It is the best crankbait rod that you can currently buy, with premium features and great performance.

The Okuma Tournament Concept Rod rods series is a popular cranking rod option for many anglers.

The series provides a full lineup of technique-specific rods and has been seen in the hands of many pro-tournament-winning anglers.

This cranking rod has recently gone through an update that provides it with strength and brings a more enhanced experience to you.

Unlike any other typical crankbait rod, the Okuma TCS is well-thought-out and provides pro-level performance at an affordable price.

The Tournament Concept Series Rods consist of 13 total models, of which 4 are spinning and are casting models and if you do not know what you are buying you might end up with the wrong rod.

Pros

• Lightweight
• Recently updated
• Carbon blank construction

Cons

• It has no noticeable flaws

The Okuma TCS rod is a really good crankbait rod thanks to its lightweight construction and well-balanced design.

This lightweight yet durable rod comes in at just about 4 to 5 ounces in weight.

Each rod in the TCS lineup starts with a 30-ton carbon blank construction.

This makes them very responsive and durable with a great backbone for solid hooksets, so you do not have to worry about tearing the fish’s mouth and losing it.

These cranking rods are very well built.

They have a split butt design, that helps in lightening the weight and boast a contoured EVA and compressed cork fore and rear grip for the ultimate in comfort.

These crankbait rods come with a customized C-40X, long strain graphite carbon fiber skeleton reel seat that is only seen on a few rods.

It also provides them with a cool attractive look.

This skeleton design features a screw-down foregrip eliminating contact with the reel seat threads for all-day comfort.

The Fuji Faz-Light guide inserts offer premium performance and abrasion resistance.

Overall, the Okuma TCS rod is the best one you can buy currently with a versatile performance.

The Lew’s David Fritts Perfect Crankbait Rod is a versatile rod that can be used for a variety of applications.

For $80, this crankbait rod lies in the affordable range, therefore it is very popular among newbie anglers.

The black finish of this rod combined with the stainless steel guide frames provides it with a smooth line flow and an increased casting distance.

This cranking rod has excellent flexibility that allows it to bend over itself when battling larger hard-hitting fish.

Other crankbait rod models are known to be too stiff and they can lose fish while hook setting, but the David Fritts Crankbait will not miss and easily handle the headshakes and all efforts made by the fish to set itself free.

Pros

• Lightweight
• Great with crankbaits
• Parabolic arc

Cons

• Heavier than others

The Lew’s David Fritts Perfect Crankbait Speed Stick Casting Rod is a special rod because of its incredible performance against bass and other heavy fishes.

The series has high modulus graphite blanks that give it strength and make it flexible and lightweight.

The rod power is medium-heavy, giving it a parabolic arc and helps in transferring the energy to the rod’s tip.

It also provides sensitivity and cushion for hook settings.

The stainless steel guides have aluminum oxide inserts that provide a seamless casting experience.

You can cast this particular rod with deep-diving crankbaits which makes it perfect to use for deep sea fishing.

This rod comes with a full cork handle and EVA butt caps that provide comfortable handling even when the rod gets wet.

The only noticeable issue with this rod is that its reel seat might get loose over time but you can tighten it again.

It is also a little heavier than other rods so if you currently own a rod that is lighter than this, you will feel the difference.

Overall, the Lew’s David Perfect Crankbait Rod is the best out there because of its excellent performance for continuous casting.

The Shimano SLX Baitcasting rods series consists of nine casting and four spinning models.

These baitcasting rods offer a great experience for crankbait fishing.

Although they do not have the SLX spinning reel, they are equipped with the NASCI reel

With a price tag below $200, these are a great choice for anyone who wants to buy a good cranking rod.

Pros

• 24-Ton Graphite Blank
• Titanium Oxide guides
• Hi-density EVA material grips

Cons

• Does not come with the SLX reel

The SLX casting rods are the best crankbait rods because they use the most premium quality components and material.

Moreover, these are great all-purpose rods that can be used for almost everything.

They are offered in a variety of rod action, however, we will recommend you choose the moderate action rod model.

When it comes to specifications, the SLX rods have some great qualities that make them light, sensitive, and strong.

These include a custom-built Shimano reel seat, titanium oxide guides, and comfortable high-density EVA grips.

These components also improve the balance of the rod and give it a sleeker look.

If we compare this cranking rod with other similarly priced cranking rods you will notice that they are heavier.

Moreover, the reel performs extremely well and feels like a more expensive reel.

This is a really good cranking rod for bass anglers that are just starting their journey.

With a price tag of $99, the SLX baitcasting rods are bound to be the most attractive option out there.

There is a common misconception that cheaper products do not offer value for money, but the SLX baitcasting rods have proven otherwise.

The technology and quality of the SLX are enough to satisfy the beginner to the experienced bass angler.

The Shimano Sellus Casting Rod is an affordable crankbait fishing rod that can be used for a number of applications.

It offers excellent value for money if you are a beginner, as this crankbait rod offers Shimano quality craftsmanship and technology at such a low price point.

Available in a multitude of powers, actions, lengths, and even technique-specific configurations, you can be sure to find a Sellus rod that will accommodate your style of fishing.

Like any other good crankbait rod the Shimano Sellus is very durable and reliable in terms of quality.

Pros

• Extremely well balanced
• Lightweight and sensitive rod
• Held up surprisingly well

Cons

• No noticeable issue

The Shimano Sellus Fishing Rod is the best crank bait rod on our list because of its durability and overall reliability.

It will not disappoint you in the middle of a fishing session, and you can take it almost anywhere as a dependable companion.

The blank of these crankbait rods is constructed from 24-ton graphite, which makes for a very lightweight and sensitive rod.

This particular type of graphite is a little fragile as compared to 30+ ton graphite rods, but it still holds up against abuse and hard-hitting fish.

You can toss it anywhere without any worries and throw it with deep diving crankbaits without any worries.

If you are into bass fishing, this should be your go-to option since it stands very well against heavy fish.

Since most cranking rods these days have EVA foam grips, the Sellus is also equipped with these.

They provide a comfortable and nice smooth feeling that doesn’t dampen the rod’s sensitivity.

Along the rod length, you will find aluminum-oxide guides.

Castability is very easy regardless of line choice as the lightweight aluminum-oxide guides allow the line to slip through its rings with minimal resistance.

The rod boosts a Shimano proprietary aluminum hooded seat which keeps the reel secured and does not vibrate when the line is being deployed.

Overall, the Shimano Sellus lineup is a great option for crankbait fishing because it is very durable and is very reasonably priced.