I agree that the rod makes a huge difference. I never had any luck with crankbaits eithe but I knew it was a technique I needed to learn. After some internet research I bought a Field and Stream 7' Tec Spec crankbait rod. It only cost $60. The results have been amazing! I'm convinced that I'm hooking fish that in the past I wouldn't have even felt bite. The rod is as whippy as a willow switch which allows the fish to take the bait without me cranking it out of its mouth. I fish Cedar Creek quite a bit and landed a 6.14 on this rod last year. Even though the rod is whippy, it handled that fish just fine. I do always use a net with it, though. By the way, I caught that fish on a Bomber square bill. Those things work great in all the timber at Cedar Creek. Hope this helps.