If you were to choose between an Expert Hudson Special or a LR Composite Cranker Il, for the intended purposes, what would you go with? I do like a rod that can do more than one thing (Expert Hudson) but the main priority is going to be for 7-10'+ cranks. Just kinda torn. Prob wind up with both at some point but for now, what say you?

Also, I've always been a fan of the Bomber Fat Free's even back when they were Excalibur. But what other crank baits are y'all throwing this time of year?

Preesh

I have both. I can say that the Cranker II is very good at casting cranks and keeping fish pinned. The other techniques can be covered by a much less specialized rod, but crank baits require a long, flexible, moderate rod.

10XD on a expert Xd Cranker

Right own. Probably go with the cranker.

I'd go with the Lowrider cranker II. It's a pleasure to use for medium to deep crankbaits and your bigger 2.5-sized squarebills where long casts are needed. It's a bit much for lighter 1.5-sized squarebills and too long, for short me at least, for close-range highly accurate work but it can handle that if needed. It's slightly heavier and less sensitive than the Expert line, but I also don't feel extreme sensitivity is much benefit in most cases for a crankbait rod. No argument that lighter is better, but at 2/3 the price of an Expert, I don't think you're missing much by going with the cheaper Lowrider.

Yeah, if it's not a utility rod, I'm just as happy with the Lowrider. Which I own several of, and I like them. Not as well as the Expert, but still a good rod. Thanks.

XD Cranker

Do you run the graphite or composite? I felt the graphite didn’t have enough back bone to throw on the top end of the 3/4” rating.

I assume the Hudson special is similar to the deep runner. I’d lean that way. If I’m throwing a 7’6” Rod I’d like a bit higher lure rating than 3/4 oz.

I assume it’s graphite. I honestly don’t know for sure. It’s too light to be a composite, so I’d lean towards graphite. It does seem a little underpowered for 10xds, but still chunks them a LONG ways.

I saw someone mention and XD Cranker. I bet that’s a beast of a rod. It seems there’s just kind of a gap between the Cranker II and the bigger Cranker, which would leave room for a multi purpose like an Expert HS. The rock piles and ledges I’m lookin at are 13-15’. Was thinking something that would handle a little deeper diving bait, than what I currently have, which are more moderate. But I don’t really want to run a rod that I use for C Rigs either. I’ve never been much of a Cranker but I’m getting more in to it. It’s tough to beat covering water.

Funny you mention that, I’ve been pretty loyal to Falcon and wanted to get more into cranking so I bought the Cranker II and XD in the new lowrider series. Your interpretation is exactly right. The Cranker II is on the light side for your Fat Free Shad/6xd, but the XD Rod is boarder line a swim bait rod. Sure wish Falcon could come up with something rated just between the two Rod actions.

I think it's more of a square bill type rod. I'll probably get both. I can run a chatter early on that HS and then tie on a 6XD later. The Cranker II is def a specific rod.

The XD Cranker is no where near a swimbait rod. Slightly stiff backbone with alot more tip.

Well I just picked up a Cranker II at the local tackle shop. Idk how I feel about it lol.