line size for crankbaits

[Bream Master]

Any of you guys use heavy line for crankbaits?  I don't exceed 10 lb but some pros are saying they use 20 lb. for cranks.  

I just can't see why that would be needed to catch bass.  

If the pros are doing it, I guess it must be working but I just wanted to hear the opinions of some of you guys too.

Thanks.

[gatrboy53]

they are using heavy line on cranks in areas they might get wrapped,cut or have to horse a bigun out w/.

[Deuceu72]

Personally, I never use heavier than 10 lb for a crankbait and usually go with 8 lb Seaguar.................

[.ghoti.]

I use mostly 10 for cranks. I'll use 8 and 12 sometimes. All things being equal, 8 will get the bait deeper than 12. As long as the 8 is smaller diameter than the 12. I've heard some pros say they change line sizes to get different running depths, so maybe they're wanting a particular bait to run a bit shallower. I don't try to do that. I don't have the space to carry around that many rods and reels with all the different combinations.

[Siebert Outdoors]

Most of the time I throw 10lb line.

If the conditions call for it I might jump to 15 but that is rare

[GAMEOVER]

I use braid almost all of the time expecially with cranks. You can get great action with it because its so limp. Braid goes against whats written in stone regarding line/crankbaits as people usually want a line that stretches atleast a little bit. If you set your drag low though while using braid you can increase your hookup ratio and get solid hook sets instantly all while having close to the same benefits you get from a more stretchy line. You will also rarely if ever lose a crankbait because of the stronger braided line. This isnt for everyone though it took me sometime to get the hang of doing it effectively. Around sharp rocks just inspect the line every so often and retie as neccessary.

[flechero]

Well since I don't carry a specific crankbait rod anymore, the rod I pick up may have anything from 14# to 20# on it.  I used to carry a crankbait rod but that was back when I lived in east Tx (near Fork) so it had 14# or 17# XT on it anyway.  ...lol  

If you fish timber, heavier line makes sense.  You just need to run a deeper bait than you would have otherwise.  

[Fishin49er]

Like ghoti said, the pros will take a crankbait that will normally run around 8 feet deep and put that with a heavy test mono, say 20lb. To get it to run shallower, like less then 4 feet. I heard somewhere that starting at 10lb mono, each lb test you go up you lose about a foot of running depths on crankbaits. Correct me if im wrong on this.

[Bud]

I use Sunline Defier.  It is 13 pounds test but the size is like 8 pound test mono.

[bassnleo]

I use 10 lb floro on most of my deep cranks. For shallow cranks that I'm working around cover I use 14 lb floro, it gives me a little more strength if a fish wraps around a stump or something.

[Craw]

I use line size to achieve a particular depth with certain crankbaits. One example is with a particular crank I have had tremendous success with. The "Fat Free Guppy" seems to have an almost magical fish catching ability and on 10lb. test I can get it to run between 6' and 8' depending on the length of my cast and at what angle I hold my rod tip during the retrieve. In water with about 3' to 4' of visibility this is about right since my goal with the crank is to have it deflect off of objects somewhere around its maximum running depth. Another area I fish regularly only has about 1' to 2' visibility(water clarity) so I like to have this same crank digging into objects that are in about 1' to 4' deep, maybe even 5'. If I throw this same crank on 20lb. line I can keep it running between 3' and 5' deep, again, depending on the length of my cast and where I hold my rod tip during the retrieve.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not about to strip a whole spool of line during a days fishing to opt for different line sizes but if I know the area I will be fishing in advance then I will spool my reels accordingly.

This technique works best on the wider wobbling cranks which actions are much less affected by heavier line. One notable exception is with the Rat-L-Trap. This bait has a very tight wobble but still retains its action on the heaviest line. The Rapala "Shad Rap" however will not tolerate heavier lines and anything over 10lb. test will absolutely kill its action.

A variety of today's crankbaits are specifically made to comb shallow cover and are tailor made for heavy line. Two that come to mind are Lucky Craft's "RC" series and also their "Combat" models. Baits like these get a real advantage with the heavier lines due to the places they are designed to be fished.

I hope I've shed a little light on your question and haven't confused you even more.

[Rattlinrogue]

I use 10 lb test on medium and deep diving crankbaits.For shallow water cranking,I'll go with 12-14 so that I don't bury the cbait in thick grass every cast.

[senko_77]

Like most people who have replied, I use 8-10lb test and will sometimes go up to 12.  Although line size plays a huge role in getting the bait to a certain depth, I thought I would add this in.  

On most crankbaits, about 1/3 to 2/4 of the retrieve is the bait actually at the "target" depth.  Now some baits dive steeper than others.  I know that a Rapala DT-16 dives incredibly sharp compared to say a Norman DD22 which takes awhile to get down there.  The last thing to add is a really long cast.  The longer the cast, the more time in the strike zone.

So light line, sharp divers, and loooonnnggg casts are what you need to get the most productivity out of your cranks.