Really Big Crankbait setup

[Puggz]

I'm considering a Fenwick Elite Tech Bass 7'11", Hvy/Moderate w/Calcutta D 200.  30lb PP w/17lb floro leader.

For big a$$ deep diving cranks and big topwater for Bass and Pike.

Thoughts??

 

 

[A-Jay]

For heaving Baits like the 6th Sense Crush 500DD, Duo Realis Crankbait G87 20A, & the Strike King 10XD Crankbait, I think you'd be OK with that set up as these lures are less than the rods rated 2 ounces.  But if you move up the Lucky Craft SKT Magnum 120 Mag DR Crankbait, which weighs over 3 oz, the 30lb braid & 17 lb leader will be IMO inadequate.  

 I fished some of these big baits for the first time this summer and the rig I was using was essentially a swimbait set up.  Big meat stick, 300D and 25 lb mono.   Even managed to catch a few.  Selecting baits with in the rods abilities is always a good choice.  Personally, if you want to use braid, I'd go with 40 or 50 lb Seaguar Smackdown Braid or 40 or 55 lb Daiwa Samurai Braided Line ~ both are super thin for their rated test.  But you may again consider pumping up that leader to at least 20lb.

With  the 30 / 17 deal and an almost 8 ft stick - there may be a few "Launchings" that are precluded by that dreaded Line Snapping sound in your future.

A-Jay

 

[gulfcaptain]

I'd probably bump the reel to a 300 size and fish with 40lb braid and 20lb leader myself or even 50lb braid and 20lb mono or FC.  Little more forgiving, but you have to remember when you cast DON'T SNAP CAST IT!!  You try and whip that bait out as hard as you can it's going to go far, but you're gonna have to go retrieve it with the boat because odds are it's not going to be attached to your reel anymore.  Have to lob those bigger baits and let the weight of the bait carry it instead of trying to launch it out there at mach 3.

[Puggz]

Good points fellas.  I do a ton of Muskie fishing so I know what you mean.. Mind you, throwing 6 and 8 oz baits is the norm there.

Not a big deal at all to upgrade to 40 or 50# and a 20lb floro leader.  Not a big deal at all.  Regarding the reel, why the 300? I can't see needing that much drag (which is the only real diff.)

I already have a 400d attached to a St Croix Big Dawg..lol

[clh121787]

I'm using a lucky craftxh big bait rod. Or a orochii xx f10-80xx . But I rarely throw deep cranks. They're really swimbait rods , with shimano 300s

[A-Jay]

4 hours ago, Puggz said:

Good points fellas.  I do a ton of Muskie fishing so I know what you mean.. Mind you, throwing 6 and 8 oz baits is the norm there.

Not a big deal at all to upgrade to 40 or 50# and a 20lb floro leader.  Not a big deal at all.  Regarding the reel, why the 300? I can't see needing that much drag (which is the only real diff.)

I already have a 400d attached to a St Croix Big Dawg..lol

A bump in reel size offers a few benefits. 

More line capacity which effects inches per turn during retrieves (baits working speed) This may or not be a big concern depending on the presentation.  Also I feel the slightly bigger spool equates to longer cast.   I have the 200D & the 300D.  With heavy mono, a big bait, a decent tail wind, and a brisk Bomb cast - we're coming close to seeing the spool shaft occasionally. 

A-Jay

[gulfcaptain]

As A-Jay put it, increased line capacity mainly.  Much easier to launch bigger baits on larger reels then on smaller ones as well.  My ***'s have plenty of drag and honestly I could probably fish large cranks or 6" swimbaits on them without an issue, but it's much more balanced when fished on a 300 size reel or in my case a 200 EXO which is just a bit narrower then the EXO 300, but same frame and spool hieght.  But still will use the 300 size when I bump up to larger baits and if I ever choose to throw say a 10XD, that would be the reel I'd do it on.

[Puggz]

11 hours ago, A-Jay said:

A bump in reel size offers a few benefits. 

More line capacity which effects inches per turn during retrieves (baits working speed) This may or not be a big concern depending on the presentation.  Also I feel the slightly bigger spool equates to longer cast.   I have the 200D & the 300D.  With heavy mono, a big bait, a decent tail wind, and a brisk Bomb cast - we're coming close to seeing the spool shaft occasionally. 

A-Jay

A-Jay et al,

I don't believe that the spool diameter is larger on the Calcutta Ds. Just wider. With that being said, i'll try both on the rod and see which one feels and looks better. 

I've also been doing some additional research and I've found what I think is a better rod.  Its the *** Black "Crankenstien". Same specs as the Fenwick but a step up I think.

I know there may be better rods out there  but my options are limited as I'm from Canada and don't care to mail order from the US. Especially with the exchange rate, international shipping, and duty.