Crankbait Line

[Brett's_daddy]

What is the best pound test for fluorocarbon line to use for crankbaits (shallow to medium depth)? I have 15lb Red Label spooled on now but am seeing many people are using like 10lb test and I'm wondering if my line will be too heavy and i should switch to something lighter?

[IndianaFinesse]

That could work (and could be handy around heavy cover) but it will reduce the diving depth of your cranks a fair amount.  If you were to buy more line, I would recommend replacing it with 10-12 pound depending on how much cover you're fishing in.

[Mike L]

For those depths 12# would be fine. That's what I use and it works for me. 

 

 

 

Mike

[thebillsman]

I use 10lb mono. Rarely does line or knot fail when cranking. It's not a max drag technique so if your drag is set correctly you should be fine. 10lb is going to give you another foot or two of depth and reduce line visibility. 

 

I see no reason to go as heavy as 15lb.

[NHBull]

I have been experimenting with 10 pound Gamma and 832 as it sinks, and leader on both. No more FC or Mono....at least for now

[J Francho]

That depends on the cover.  If it's square bills or coffin bills around wood and dock pilings, then 15# Invisx.  If it's just tipping and ripping off weed tops, then 10 or 12# is fine.

[buzzed bait]

10 or 12 lb for sure and it should handle a good bit better than the 15 lb as well

[Angry John]

10 or 12 # co poly.  No reason to use flouro for cranks and deal with all the drawbacks.  Co-poly is strong has a little give and has exellent knot strength.

[WRB]

If your crankbait rod is dedicated to casting crankbaits why use a line with poor knot strength and casting ability. Line visiblity doesn't factor into strike ratio with fast moving lures, the is focused on the lure. Line can affect lure performance and most crankbaits are designed to perform with 12 lb mono/coploy line.

You are not going to rip a multi treble hook lure through heavy cover, the rod isn't stiff enough, if that is your goal use braid that cuts through vegetation.

To answer your question use what line you are comfortable casting with because cranking means lots of casts. I suggest using 10 or 12 lb Big Game mono, it's very strong and excellent casting line at a low price point or upgrade to Sunline Armilo Diefer 11 lb Nylon line.

Tom

[J Francho]

Been using fluoro for a dozen years.  The products from Seaguar don't exhibit poor knot strength when properly tied.  For instance, I generally get more than 6# breaking strength from 6# Invisx. I've demonstrated this using a scale at many a seminar.  I don't find issues with casting either, though ability probably comes into play.  You can't be sloppy with knots or casting.

[Attila]

Agree with @J Francho; I've used 12lbs InvizX exclusively this season and not had any issues with it whatsoever and I'm throwing squarebills under docks and along rock and weed transitions. Biggest smallie caught this year from under a dock on a squarebill came in at 4lbs and 13oz and ran that line around dock posts without any negative consequences.

 

I'd really encourage people to try InvizX; it stretches just like mono and as for castability I'd put it up against any other line out there, mono included.

[Brett's_daddy]

The only other line I currently have are 12lb Big Game mono and 20lb. Power Pro braid...what do you think about either of those choices? The rod I'm using is an 7ft. Abu Garcia Veritas 2.0 Winch (crankbait model).

[WRB]

15 minutes ago, Brett's_daddy said:

The only other line I currently have are 12lb Big Game mono and 20lb. Power Pro braid...what do you think about either of those choices? The rod I'm using is an 7ft. Abu Garcia Veritas 2.0 Winch (crankbait model).

12 lb Big Game, used it for over 35 years for crankbait, caught hundreds of bass without any less line issues.

Tom

 

[Brett's_daddy]

1 minute ago, WRB said:

12 lb Big Game, used it for over 35 years for crankbait, caught hundreds of bass without any less line issues.

Tom

 

I'll also be using this setup for jerkbaits...is mono good for them too?

[J Francho]

Why re-spool?  Is there something you don't like?  Don't fix something that works.

[Brett's_daddy]

10 minutes ago, J Francho said:

Why re-spool?  Is there something you don't like?  Don't fix something that works.

I am just thinking that the 15lb fluoro will be too thick and effect the diving depth of my cranks and jerk baits too much when chances are I won't be fishing too much in wood or other nasty stuff...mostly open water or weeds.

[J Francho]

It's fine for shallow and mid depths.  Go thinner on deep divers. 

[Brett's_daddy]

1 minute ago, J Francho said:

It's fine for shallow and mid depths.  Go thinner on deep divers. 

The deepest I'll go with a crank is around 13ft., after that I'll use spinnerbaits or jigs :).

[WRB]

32 minutes ago, Brett's_daddy said:

I'll also be using this setup for jerkbaits...is mono good for them too?

Mono is ideal for jerk baits, FC can be a problem with the front hook snagging the line.

My experience with FC and crankbaits is the line memory and dryness  tends to over run the spool making long casts, something I do nearly every cast. The higher the # test the larger the diameter the line is and more the line wants to loosen off the reel spool as the lure catches wind and slows down. With softer mono that has low memory the wets and stays on the spool every cast under all weather conditions. 

Try the 15 lb FC, if it works for you use it. If you have problems use the 12 lb Big Game, it's stronger knot strength and more manageable line then your 15lb FC.

Tom

 

[J Francho]

3 minutes ago, WRB said:

FC can be a problem with the front hook snagging the line.

Huh? I've never run into this with FC.  Braid, yes.  The only thing I run into is fishing jerkbaits in VERY cold water when I use long pauses, like over 30 seconds, and the line sinking.  Normally, I use pop-pop-pop-drag, and wait about 10 seconds.  No issues with that.

[r83srock]

12lb big game

[Fishin' Fool]

12 pound P-line cx

[Mike L]

3 hours ago, J Francho said:

Huh? I've never run into this with FC.  Braid, yes.  The only thing I run into is fishing jerkbaits in VERY cold water when I use long pauses, like over 30 seconds, and the line sinking.  Normally, I use pop-pop-pop-drag, and wait about 10 seconds.  No issues with that.

Ditto

 

 

 

 

Mike

[JustinJ]

12lb mono

[Tywithay]

Don't pay attention the line's breaking strength. 15lb Red Label has a diameter of .33mm, the same exact diameter of 12lb Trilene XL. The line you're using is just fine. I only prefer mono because the extra stretch seems to keep the fish pinned a little better with trebles. Fluoro sinks as well, which can kind of drag the front of the bait down.