Magnesium Crankin Rod

[LloydG]

I'm new to the Kistler family and I'm looking to upgrade to a new crankin rod. Liked all the news and reviews of the Magnesium rods but am unsure of which to purchase, the Alton Jones Composite rod or the All Graphite Medium rod. Help.

[Ray Long]

Welcome to the Kistler Family. I don't have either one of those rods but I can tell you about the MgCBCGGM70, it is one great crankbait rod. Also have heard great reviews about the Alton Jones rod. I have a couple of Argon and Carbon Steel rods on order that I am going to try. These are the rods that I have heard so much about and can't wait to get my hands on them. But, either way you go, you can't go wrong with a Kistler rod. I think I own about 25 Kistler rods and I have no complaint about any of them. Again, welcome to the Kistler Family.
Ray Long

[rubs96]

I don't have either one of those either, but I do have the Magnesium TS Crankbait Composite 6'6" rod. It's the best crankin' rod I've ever used. Extrememly light and handles all the shallow to medium cranks exceptionally well.

[Blister72]

I have the composite 7' Mg one, before they stuck Alton's name on it, and it is a HUGE blank at the bottom, like 1/2-3/4 inch, and tapers up to a "whippy" flexible tip.

It was a bit awkward to use at first, but now I have no problem casting red eye shads, Xcailbur XR-50's & 75', and DD22's (if I need to go that deep.)

It is perfect for shallow Rapala DT FAT 3 Sure Set cranks! It is also incredibly lite, even with my 9.2 oz Daiwa Procaster Rojo reel on it.

[Blister72]

Here is another shot, so you can guage the width of the Crankin' stick...the other Mg to the right, with the Zillion, is the "Chatterbait" Mg...AWESOME in its own right.

[Blister72]

The only gripe I have on the HUGE Crankin' stick is the threads you see in the first pic, just in front of the red reel.

It seems like it was designed more for large, round, deep sea reels, than the newer low-profile reels. You can't really rest your index finger on the blank, but only on these leftover threads, once you tighten your reel down.

Other than that...the flex is great for treble hook, crankbait, catches, as well as some topwater Zara Spooks.