Crankbait Depth And Different Line

[airborne_angler]

When a Crankbait manufacturer makes a statement about how deep a bait will run, like lets say a Rapala DT 6, what kind and weight of line is used to make this characteristic?

Line weight and material can affect the running depth...so if I'm throwing a DT6 on 10# FC...how much deeper can I expect the bait to run?

[TNBassin']

Good question! I've wondered this myself.   

[JeziHogg]

Im almost 100% sure its measured with 10lb FC

[bassinbrian]

I always thought 10# mono was the baseline but I don't know the answer to the OP question either, lol.

[Marty]

An e-mail to Rapala might get your question answered.

 

http://www.rapala.com/Contact-Us/customer-contact-us,default,pg.html?id=1

[Scott F]

As a rule of thumb from a guy (not me) who wrote a book on the exact depths that crankbaits run*, for every increase in line size, say from 10 to 12 lb line, (mono/fluro) you can expect to lose 1 foot of depth. Conversely, going to thinner line lets the lures run deeper by the same ratio. 

 

* Crankbaits; A Guide to Casting & Trolling Depths of 200 Popular Lures by Mike McClelland,

Fishing Enterprise Press 1989

[JeziHogg]

Ive done some research and heres what Ive come up with.

 

Crankbaits are tested on a line with .30mm-.33mm on line diameter. So that would be lets say.. Suffix elite 10LB mono (.30mm) or Seaguar Invisx 15LB FC (.33mm)

[38 Super Fan]

I don't think there's one standard, I think different manufacturers will use different lines. Seems like I remember some even getting a little deceptive and saying a crank will dive to say, 20 feet, but they were running it on 6 pound test, which is pretty unrealistic.

[flyfisher]

I don't think there's one standard, I think different manufacturers will use different lines. Seems like I remember some even getting a little deceptive and saying a crank will dive to say, 20 feet, but they were running it on 6 pound test, which is pretty unrealistic.

Not super unrealistic if you go down to 6lb diameter braid.  I recently went to 8lb diameter PP Super slick and my DT6 were bumping bottom in 7-8" FOW.

[WRB]

Today's modern bass angler doesn't trolling deep diving lures, therefore have little idea how deep lures actually run on different line types and sizes. Depending on unknown casting length and retrieve speed that both affect how deep any lure can dive during a specific cast makes it nearly impossible to determine.

If you have a boat with sonar, you can let out a specific measured amount of line and troll at a known speed over known bottom depth and determine when the lure hits the bottom.

It's been my experience deep diving lures run deepest using 10 mono or FC at a slow walking speed about 2-3 mph, with 100' of line out.

Rapala may rate their lures with a similar technique.

Tom

[Blues19]

Floro sinks so it will get deeper than mono, but mono has that little more of a stretch which I prefer when throwing cranks. thats something you need to think about too

[rockchalk06]

Not super unrealistic if you go down to 6lb diameter braid.  I recently went to 8lb diameter PP Super slick and my DT6 were bumping bottom in 7-8" FOW.

Were you using Straight braid or braid and leader?

[flyfisher]

Straight braid.  Not much of a leader guy unless I am fishing super clear water.  I think the bigger question is could you thrown 6lb diameter braid on a baitcaster and not run into trouble.  I find that 8lb diameter is about as low as i want to go myself.

[rockchalk06]

Straight braid.  Not much of a leader guy unless I am fishing super clear water.  I think the bigger question is could you thrown 6lb diameter braid on a baitcaster and not run into trouble.  I find that 8lb diameter is about as low as i want to go myself.

Thanks