I have a customer wanting a 6'6" casting rod for crankbait fishing. He uses 10-14lbs test and wants a mod/fast action. I have found a few options, but none with the action he desires. Anyone got one they have used and loved??

The St Croix SG66M (10-17) would be a great choice. I have built one for myself and 1 for a friend using the spiral wrap. They both work great with rattletraps and medium to small crankbaits. For medium to large crankbaits I use the SG70M, also with a spiral wrap. A couple of weeks ago I was fishing with the SG70M using a Rebel wee-r around riprap and hooked a 15-20 lb flathead catfish in the back. It took awhile but I landed the fish. The rod and spiral wrap worked great. The spiral wrap is a great way to go on a crankbait rod. Good Fishing!!

elrod,
Dale's choice is a good one as the S-glass has a moderate flex.
You might also want to consider the new graphite crankbait blanks currently just being made available by St. Croix. We'll be getting these any day now. Already got their factory rod versions with this and all indications are these may be the best designed and made grahphite moderate action crankbait rods in the world.

Might also want to consider some of the composite crank bait blanks offered by rainshadow, shikari, or other manufacturers (not available from St. Croix) as they would have the preferred actions at very favorable pricing. If it's the performance and sensitivity you're after consider the grahphite moderate action blanks. For rods where you feel you want a slower response to a quick reaction strike for more positive hooksets, I agree the S-Glass SG66M will do the job.
The new series are designated 3C66MM, in the SCIII series. A bit more expensive, but worth the performance in my opinion.

Rich
www.rodreel.com

Does the customer have a preference to glass, composite or graphite material?? There are numerous ones in each of those. What size or type crankbaits, as there are baits that run sub-surface, 4-5 ft., 10 ft., 15 ft., 20 ft., etc.?? The size of the lure and the depth it will run, will dictate a particular blank.

Bob McKamey -- Custom Tackle Supply