Sensitivity: While I have a slight preference for glass or composite glass sticks for pure cranking techniques, what I love about most graphite cranking rods like the IVP74MHRC is the sensitivity these sticks afford. Having said that, I should note that not all graphite cranking sticks are created equal. Some are as dead feeling as glass rods, and even some glass composite rods actually have really good sensitivity. It's more than just the blank material, but how the manufacturer puts it all together.

ARK has put the IVP74MHRC together well. There's really good feeling with this stick whether its the vibration of your bait, your bait bouncing off rocks, getting caught in weeds, etc., it's all easily discernible while cranking your bait with this stick.

Fig 1 : The chart above illustrates the deflection characteristics of our ARK Rods Invoker Pro IVP74MHRC against the historical averages of similarly powered rods we've tested over the past twenty years

Power: The question with graphite cranking rods is are they too powerful. I like my cranking sticks with a nice, smooth, moderate bend that responds by giving your fish the ability to pull on the line and shake that bait around in their mouth without the force to pull it away. This is why I like glass and glass composite rods for cranking. They have that nice, smooth, soft bend that allows you to keep the fish buttoned during battle. The IVP74MHRC also does a nice job of this despite being full graphite. ARK did a nice job with the taper of this stick.

Checking out that tip

Yet, if you need it, this stick also has enough power to drive home those single, jig style hooks from a spinnerbait, buzzbait, bladed jig, paddletail swimbait, and more. It has a really good power despite that moderate taper and really good give despite its power.

The reel seat is super comfy

Design & Ergonomics: The other advantage to using graphite for a cranking rod is weight. This 7'4" cranking stick comes it at only four and a third ounces (4.3oz) and even though it's a little tip heavy, you hardly notice that while fishing. Matched with the I'ZE light, the combo kind of floats in your hand.

Design wise, ARK continues the use of the printed wrap around the blank to give the stick a really interesting look when the sun hits it just right.

 Otherwise, it just looks like a typical, unsanded blank. The black and red motif is continued from the previous generation Invoker and also reflects the color scheme of the company's logo.

Open ended hook keeper is convenient when tossing paddletail baits

This pattern reveals itself in the blank when the sun hits it just right

Price & Applications: ARK Rods's Invoker IVP74MHRC makes for a really nice general purpose moving baits rod which means it suits well for more than just cranks. Spinnerbaits, lipless cranks, bladed jigs, paddletail swimbaits, this stick can handle it all. Priced at only $149.95, ARK demonstrates once again it can deliver very good performance without breaking your tackle budget.

If graphite crankers are your thing and you're in the market for something new, ARK's Invoker Pro IVP74MHRC deserves some serious consideration on your part

Conclusion: Cranking sticks get taken for granted. Most every bass angler uses one, but few are very discerning regarding the qualities they look for in such a stick and the amount they're willing to fork over to buy one. ARK Rods kind of takes everything out of the thought process with the IVP74MHRC delivering good casting performance, sensitivity, and the right power plus taper combo all in a cranking rod package that will run about a buck fifty. So far, everything I've seen and fished with ARK's refresh of their Invoker series has gone well and I'm looking forward to sampling more. In the meantime, if graphite crankers are your thing and you're in the market for something new, ARK's Invoker Pro IVP74MHRC deserves some serious consideration on your part.

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