you gotta get a rod designed for crankin TRUST ME...all the other advice is right on too...but with the right rod it makes all the differance, you can REALLY FEEL when its a fish and "grass bass" or ticking off the bottom...your rod tip SHOULD be bending and ticking when your crankin. check out kistler CBR models...and st croix crankin sticks if your more on a buget. you want a rod that is realy soft. ive caught many fish on duller hooks...and i use berkely 12lb XT and diawa TD-sol, and plueger president reels on mine. make sure your drag is set right... not too tight. you should be able to rip on that rod when they hit and all you do is bury thoses hooks and its FISH ON!!!!
peace