Cranking With Braid

[Smallmouth Hunter]

Can you use braid with cranks? I know this might be a stupid question to some, but I have never used braid and I kind of want to but I do ALOT of cranking (square bills mostly).

[loodkop]

I have recently switched from 12# mono to 30# braid. My first observation was that I got stuck a lot less cranking lay downs. I could feel the line going over the limb and was able to "finesse" my crank trough spot I was never able to before. So far I'm liking it. I also prefer braid when ripping lipless cranks through grass.

[paul25]

I have recently switched from 12# mono to 30# braid. My first observation was that I got stuck a lot less cranking lay downs. I could feel the line going over the limb and was able to "finesse" my crank trough spot I was never able to before. So far I'm liking it. I also prefer braid when ripping lipless cranks through grass.

x2 i've got hung up alot less because of the sensitivity , i'm not a big cranking guy but when i do throw them with braId you have a better chance of not losing them

[Reptile360]

I tried it once, and I'll never do it again.

I don't like the noise that braid creates, so hearing it all day just about drove me crazy.

Only caught one that day, so I think some of the noise was going down the line & scaring the fish away.

[Fishes in trees]

I have a 7' med action spinning rig/14 lb Fireline that I like to throw lighter medium divers (6' to 12') with.  Reptile 360 is correct, in that there is some line noise.  Hitting the guides with Reel & Line Magic cuts down the noise quite a bit.  I use this rig mostly for the distance I can get out of it with relatively little effort.  I can get similar distances with some of my bait casters, but it requires more effort and my casting elbow will throb at the end of the day.   Anyway, that is the reason I will crank with braid.  I don't think I would bother putting braid on a bait caster for this application.  It would work great until that inevitable birds nest occurred, then you'd be tangled for a while.  Not worth it -  time wise.  For a cranking application I'd recommend a spinning reel.  I will generally use a US Reel - 230 or 240 size - wide spool for this application.

[OkeechobeeAngler]

I use 20# PP and love it.

[SudburyBasser]

I only use braid when I crank...I should probably use a fluoro leader but I prefer just using straight braid. Works for me.

[aavery2]

I feel like line with a little stretch is a better choice for crankbaits or any bait that uses a treble hook. Without the stretch you risk tearing a hole that makes the bait much easier to throw.

If I were going to use braid, I would set the drag much looser than normal and let it help with the lack of stretch.

[Revival]

I feel like line with a little stretch is a better choice for crankbaits or any bait that uses a treble hook. Without the stretch you risk tearing a hole that makes the bait much easier to throw.

If I were going to use braid, I would set the drag much looser than normal and let it help with the lack of stretch.

 

Exactly this.

[Wayne P.]

Several things for cranking with braid.

Soft action rods for open water, a little more stiffness for vegetation ripping.

Less drag pressure

Smaller diameters--8# mono equivelent diameter or less

Quality superlines with a finer weave (more threads) = less noise

Quality rod guides that are SiC or equivelent= less noise

[Jig Man]

I hate braid with any treble hooks, especially when the wind is blowing.

[JeziHogg]

Straight floro for me, 15LB for Shallow / Squarebills and 10LB for med and deep divers.

[BassnChris]

I don't like the noise that braid creates, so hearing it all day just about drove me crazy.

I switched from braid to Tuf Line Supercast and love it. Have it on all of baitcasters............don't get that braid 'sound' when casting and is very tough.

[livetofish28]

40# power pro is what I have on my cranking setup

[flyfisher]

30lb PP super slick on a cranking rod and it is money in the bank.

[BamaBoy5]

Another thing to consider that i dont think has been mentioned is you will not get the full depth out of your crank since braid floats. I also throw flouro with cranks.

[buzzed bait]

Another thing to consider that i dont think has been mentioned is you will not get the full depth out of your crank since braid floats. I also throw flouro with cranks.

 

this is a question that i have.  i put 30# braid on a spinning reel and just started using it for cranking.  However, i've been unable to get a real feel for how it impacts the depth because the water's so muddy here i can't even see my lures.  Any idea how much it would change the depth on your lures vs mono or flouro?

[BamaBoy5]

No i dont know the actual depth difference but i will say i havent ever used mono or braid for cranking i have always used flouro simply for the fact that it does sink and it helps your bait dive deeper. Im sure it doesnt have the sensitivity that braid does and also majority of the time im fishing really clear water which is another reason i prefer flouro. In your case with the water being muddy it shouldnt really matter unless your deep cranking to use braid. Thats jmo though hope it helps.

[loodkop]

I believe line diameter is more important for diving depth than material. Thinner diameter braid will let the same lure dive deeper than a thicker flouro. Cranks are cast and retrieve lures so there is no time for a sinking line to pull a floating/diving lure down far enough to make a noticeable difference. In my opinion the statement that flouro let's a lure reach deeper falls in the same category as non stretch, totally invisible line claims designed to catch anglers not bass. I'm not slamming flouro and would consider cranking with flouro because of improved abrasion resistance and lower visibility but not because it makes my lure run any deeper.

[A-Jay]

I believe line diameter is more important for diving depth than material. Thinner diameter braid will let the same lure dive deeper than a thicker flouro. Cranks are cast and retrieve lures so there is no time for a sinking line to pull a floating/diving lure down far enough to make a noticeable difference. In my opinion the statement that flouro let's a lure reach deeper falls in the same category as non stretch, totally invisible line claims designed to catch anglers not bass. I'm not slamming flouro and would consider cranking with flouro because of improved abrasion resistance and lower visibility but not because it makes my lure run any deeper.

 

^^^^^^^^

X2

 

A-Jay