Do yourself a favor and get a dedicated cranking rod, it's a technique so often used on bass that you deserve a specific tool to the task - this rod is perfect for that. It doesn't feel any more powerful than my Medium rods but I think it could handle larger treble hooks with no fear and even something like a chatterbait or spinner if the need arose. I have no complaints at all about the rod, and am pretty familiar with it having a few Lew's rods.
The Origin reel is a great way to have an affordable 13 Fishing reel. I have several of their higher end reels so maybe I'm spoiled by those, but this performs easily as well and has all the same features, it just doesn't "feel" as high end. I love the braking adjustments and that there is only centrifugal - keep it simple. The rubbery knobs are awesome - I think I'm starting to prefer these to EVA.
Overall I find it hard to complain about this rod at all. I would buy another.