7 - 7 1/2 foot cranking rod with a Lew's 4.3/1. You can cast the bait farther, and the low gear ratio will not wear you out.

Falcon Cara CLC417 here as well with a 6.2:1 Quantum Accurist.

I use a Falcon LowRider Outasight. It's an eight foot long rod. I like a long rod for casting large plugs.

TFP

I pull a 1 ounce Mudbug, Bomber 9A and a Mann's 30+ with regularity. The best setup I have found is the Shimano Crucial CRC711M teamed with a Calcutta CTE200GT. This is a 7'11" rod and once you get used to it for something like a DD22 when you go back to a 7 footer it will seem like a Snoopy rod. It's also good for a trap in the grass.

The reel makes it where you can pull a DD22 all day and not get tired. The reel has an oversized gear that keeps it from loading up with bigger crankbaits.

The Lew's BB1 reel will make all the diff. in the world. no matter what rod you put it on. I have a 6'6" texas sidewinder B/D and it work very well. remember the reel make's the rod. hope that this help every one.I throw DD22,30+, mud bugs

American Rod smiths 7 ft Fritts crankin rod

Falcon crankin series rock.

Wow. Thanks for the overwhelming responses. That definatally gave me my answer.

I like the Kistler Helium 7'6" MH Rod. This will help you fish the bait a lot easier than the rod you are currently using. It also helps with feel and a good hook set as it moves a lot of line...it has a great bend for setting in on the DD22 without ripping the bait away from the fish. The reel will make a big difference as well. http://67.99.201.242/p/KR/c-h1-worm-fishing-jig-rods/He76MHC.html

Good luck,

Not so far-you can still catch up to a fish with that reel. It might be a problem with a 3.4:1 reel, but not many of those out there.

Falcon cara 4-17

Day before yesterday I was in Academy and saw they had some American Rodsmith rods on clearance. I ended up getting 2 7' M action popping rods, one for DD-22s and one for deep baits like a Deep Little-N. They are rated for up to 3/4 oz. baits which is what a DD-22 weighs. Threw it for the first time today and they handle a deep running crank just fine. For $30 it was a good investment.

Falcon Cara reaction 4-17 for me with a shimano curado...unbeatable...

I like the Powell 704 CB (all graphite) cranking rod. Great moderate bend and a very good backbone for those deep diving DD-22's.

cbr847 (7'Heavy/Moderate)
cbr906 (7'6" Heavy/Moderate)
St. Croix Magnum Cranker (7'10" Heavy/Moderate)

I own the Magnum Cranker and a couple of the CBR's. I want to add a 906 to my arsenal, but am very happy with my magnum cranker...it was made to launch those big dd22's and the like a mile (maybe a mile and a half!). The length allows you to cast those bad boys like never before. Not to mention if you kneel and reel with that 7'10" rod...you can gain a few feet.