For the small crankbaits I use 10lb fluorocarbon. I like sun line sniper. For topwater I will use Mono element. I have been playing around with 10 pound braid with a 10 pound leader trying to figure out if it gives me longer casting on a quarter ounce popper.
Hi Joe, I really enjoyed this review as well as your others. thanks so much for doing these. I would like your opinion on choosing a Tournament Legend rod for throwing a light swim bait or chatter bait half ounce or less mostly. I reached out via Instagram but thought I would try this also. Would the Glass Cranker be better than say the Power Finesse rod? thanks so much!!
Hi there, I've been less active on Instagram, which I need to change. You've asked a great question, and I think my answer might surprise you. If you're talking about casting rods, the Power Finesse isn't suitable for any moving baits. Instead, use it for medium-duty pitching and skipping baits. You can also use it for jigs and Texas Rigs in offshore situations, but there are better rods for that. For light swimbaits, light chatterbaits, light spinnerbaits, and small crankbaits, I recommend the LBTC72MHMF Finesse Carbon Cranker. Don't let the name fool you like it did me-it's much more than just a finesse cranking rod. It will get the job done. However, there's a catch. This rod feels like a very slow action rod at first, but once you cast a bait with it, you'll find it has enough backbone for those single hook baits. Another thing to note is that this rod isn't for ripping baits out of the grass. If you like to rip chatterbaits out of grass, this rod isn't for you. But for fishing around rocks or docks where your bait is mostly in open water, it's great. If you've seen my videos on Lake Havasu, you might have noticed me using this rod when fishing an underspin on smallmouth beds. I landed 3 to 4-pound smallies with no problem in open water. I will reenforce my point about this rod felling to slow or two light when you first feel it. But the power is there when needed. Another, if you want to rip chatterbaits through the grass, the LBTC72HM Ripp-N-Chatter might be a better fit. However, it's rated for 1/2oz to 1.25oz, which might be heavier than what you want to throw. What about the LBTC71MHF All-In? A possible option, but it doesn't throw light baits very well. 3/8oz minimum for me and even that is pushing the capability of this rod. I like 1/2oz baits or heavier. I hope this helps.
@@FishPoint-WithJoeMichels Hi Joe, the Carbon Cranker seems like the perfect rod the way you describe it. More for open water not through grass. I mostly fish Bartlett, Pleasant and Alamo with a few trips to my favorite Powell. Isn't the Finesse Carbon Cranker the rod you did a review on and loved the rod for crankbaits? I'll have to go back and review. I did watch the St, Croix guy do a review on the new Tournament Legend Line and thought the Warhorse sounded like a great option. Any thoughts on that rod? But I would like to throw crankbaits so the Cranker might be it. P.S. I loved seeing you do the video with Mitch and his Bug Eye jigs. He is a good friend and love fishing with him. Man that guy can jig fish!!! Thanks so much much for taking the time to give such an in-depth response. I so much appreciate it!!
@@tonygilbert3124 I reviewed the Finesse Glass Cranker. LBTC72MM It is a glass and carbon hybrid. It has a very slow action perfect for small cranks and small topwater. I'm using it now for Ricos. The Warhorse may be a good option. I thought about that briefly but didn't comment. Yes that is a good option. Maybe a better option if you don't go below 3/8oz baits. And you can use it for Carolina Rigs because the 7'5" give you plenty of leverage to make long casts. But if you want to throw a 1/4oz swimbait, the Finesse Carbon Cranker would be better. I have not yet reviewed that rod. Mitch is a master with the jig, there is no doubt.
I love the fact that St. Croix continues to innovate their rods. One of my favorite rods for cranking is St. Croix’s Legend Glass series 7’4” MH because of the reasons that you listed for this rod. The parabolic bend and way that glass loads keeps ‘em pinned every time. I would love to try this rod to feel the difference of the carbon for the added sensitivity. Sounds amazing!
@@ryanpeltier2933 I have the LBTC74MHM Power Glass Cranker. I haven't reviewed it yet for a couple of reasons. I don't have any good footage using the rod, we don't crank year round in AZ, and I'm not sure the rod is for me. I have a love hate relationship with it at the moment. I'll explain why when I make the video.
Thanks Joe, for this great review!
Glad you liked it!
What line do you recommend?
For the small crankbaits I use 10lb fluorocarbon. I like sun line sniper. For topwater I will use Mono element. I have been playing around with 10 pound braid with a 10 pound leader trying to figure out if it gives me longer casting on a quarter ounce popper.
Hi Joe,
I really enjoyed this review as well as your others. thanks so much for doing these. I would like your opinion on choosing a Tournament Legend rod for throwing a light swim bait or chatter bait half ounce or less mostly. I reached out via Instagram but thought I would try this also. Would the Glass Cranker be better than say the Power Finesse rod? thanks so much!!
Hi there,
I've been less active on Instagram, which I need to change. You've asked a great question, and I think my answer might surprise you.
If you're talking about casting rods, the Power Finesse isn't suitable for any moving baits. Instead, use it for medium-duty pitching and skipping baits. You can also use it for jigs and Texas Rigs in offshore situations, but there are better rods for that.
For light swimbaits, light chatterbaits, light spinnerbaits, and small crankbaits, I recommend the LBTC72MHMF Finesse Carbon Cranker. Don't let the name fool you like it did me-it's much more than just a finesse cranking rod. It will get the job done. However, there's a catch. This rod feels like a very slow action rod at first, but once you cast a bait with it, you'll find it has enough backbone for those single hook baits. Another thing to note is that this rod isn't for ripping baits out of the grass. If you like to rip chatterbaits out of grass, this rod isn't for you. But for fishing around rocks or docks where your bait is mostly in open water, it's great.
If you've seen my videos on Lake Havasu, you might have noticed me using this rod when fishing an underspin on smallmouth beds. I landed 3 to 4-pound smallies with no problem in open water. I will reenforce my point about this rod felling to slow or two light when you first feel it. But the power is there when needed.
Another, if you want to rip chatterbaits through the grass, the LBTC72HM Ripp-N-Chatter might be a better fit. However, it's rated for 1/2oz to 1.25oz, which might be heavier than what you want to throw.
What about the LBTC71MHF All-In? A possible option, but it doesn't throw light baits very well. 3/8oz minimum for me and even that is pushing the capability of this rod. I like 1/2oz baits or heavier.
I hope this helps.
@@FishPoint-WithJoeMichels Hi Joe, the Carbon Cranker seems like the perfect rod the way you describe it. More for open water not through grass. I mostly fish Bartlett, Pleasant and Alamo with a few trips to my favorite Powell. Isn't the Finesse Carbon Cranker the rod you did a review on and loved the rod for crankbaits? I'll have to go back and review. I did watch the St, Croix guy do a review on the new Tournament Legend Line and thought the Warhorse sounded like a great option. Any thoughts on that rod?
But I would like to throw crankbaits so the Cranker might be it.
P.S. I loved seeing you do the video with Mitch and his Bug Eye jigs. He is a good friend and love fishing with him. Man that guy can jig fish!!! Thanks so much much for taking the time to give such an in-depth response. I so much appreciate it!!
@@tonygilbert3124 I reviewed the Finesse Glass Cranker. LBTC72MM It is a glass and carbon hybrid. It has a very slow action perfect for small cranks and small topwater. I'm using it now for Ricos. The Warhorse may be a good option. I thought about that briefly but didn't comment. Yes that is a good option. Maybe a better option if you don't go below 3/8oz baits. And you can use it for Carolina Rigs because the 7'5" give you plenty of leverage to make long casts. But if you want to throw a 1/4oz swimbait, the Finesse Carbon Cranker would be better. I have not yet reviewed that rod. Mitch is a master with the jig, there is no doubt.
I love the fact that St. Croix continues to innovate their rods. One of my favorite rods for cranking is St. Croix’s Legend Glass series 7’4” MH because of the reasons that you listed for this rod. The parabolic bend and way that glass loads keeps ‘em pinned every time. I would love to try this rod to feel the difference of the carbon for the added sensitivity. Sounds amazing!
@@ryanpeltier2933 I have the LBTC74MHM Power Glass Cranker. I haven't reviewed it yet for a couple of reasons. I don't have any good footage using the rod, we don't crank year round in AZ, and I'm not sure the rod is for me. I have a love hate relationship with it at the moment. I'll explain why when I make the video.