Here on lake Winnipeg, we run 40" med/hvy rods with a fast tip and a ton of backbone. You need to get the crank vibrating within the first foot of the lift. Too soft a rod, and the rod absorbs the energy instead of the crankbait. The strong backbone helps with the hookset too. I personally run 14lb test nanofil with a fluro leader. Are rods are made by a gentleman in Minneapolis, off the shelf, not sure.