It totally depends on the predominant type of fishing you're doing, in other words, if you shallow crank a lot and only occasionally crank deep then stick with a medium, if you're trying for an overall rod or predominantly deep cranking, go with a medium heavy. Remember though, when you're talking rod action, all manufacturers are different, it totally depends on how your rod feels to you. I use a 7 1/2 foot Loomis Crankin Rod in medium which I find works in virtually all situations and it throws a plug a mile, be they 1/8 ounce all the way up. As far as line goes, I prefer the clear (non-flourescent), mono as I feel that stretch is a desireable attribute in crankbait fishing. I don't understand why a person would use a crankbait rod for crankin and put flourocarbon line (no stetch) on it. Crankin rods are inherently flexible and to me the more flex in the rod and line the better as long as the initial hookset takes. Hope this helps, may be a bit windy.