Is a cranking rod necessary?

Wanting to get a casting cranking rod is it that important to have a moderate action rod? I have used medium to Medium heavy before and had no issues. Mostly throw countdowns bass lures DT style baits and the plastic shad raps.

Yes and no. Personally any bigger crank that I throw on a bait caster like the DT series I use a CB rod. When it comes to throwing lighter shad raps, Flicker Shads, Ect. I personally use a ML spinning rod in the 7 foot range. Something that has a soft tip to keep the fish pinned. If you can go to a 7′ 6″ ML spinning rod then even better. It is all about keeping the rod loaded to keep a fish on a crank pinned. So too stiff of a rod not only makes casting a lighter bait difficult, But also can result in losing more fish.

Any crankbait will benefit from the proper rod. If your rod is too stiff, you will rob action from the lure making it less effective. A slower action rods generally allows the crankbait to have a better wiggle and even a slight pause to it by the blank allowing a bit of “slack” when the lure moves one side to the other.

Jeff and Rodwork both nailed it. Is it Necessary – NO. Is it helpful – YES. Crankbait designed rods allow the rod to load better for casting, allows the bait to work better, and allows the fish to be hooked and stay hooked better. For me the only exception is when cranking in or around a ton of weeds. Its hard, if not impossible to RIP thru weeds with a crankbait rod. It tends to just not have enough backbone to rip through. It often tends to just bury in even deeper.

That sixgill kranken rod is designed specifically for those style cranks. I have 2 of them and love them. Also throw cranks on the akylos