using braid on a crankbait rod

[kms399]

I have a st.croix avid 7'0 med-hvy moderate action rod that I feel is a little too soft. I throw a lot of baby -1 and dt-4 cranks. I don't feel like i get the distance I need I am using a shimano citica with 10# yo zuri ultra soft line. I have been thinking of running 10# powerpro hoping the smaller diameter will get me more distance I am just concerned about the lack of stretch. I have always used mono for cranks so i guess i would like a few oppinions before i switch.

thanks

[MNGeorge]

We have been using 10/2 PowerPro on our crankbait rods for several years now and love it.  We switched from 10# Trilene XL.  The added sensitivity, increased casting distance, increased running depth of the crankbaits and the hook setting capability, especially at the end of a long cast, all make this line "THE" choice for us.

[kms399]

baitcast, shimano citica

[Alpster]

baitcast, shimano citica

Duoooh.. sorry I missed that in your first post.

I think you will cause yourself a lot of trouble by using 10lb (2lb diameter) braid on your reel. I tried just going down to 30lb braid and had a bad time with line digging and backlash. DT-4s and -1s are very light cranks. The Yo Zuri 10# should be perfect on that reel. You aren't going to gain any distance with the tiny diameter line. Your rod sounds about as good as it gets for distance, 7', soft tip, moderate power should load better with light baits and throw them farther. You may want to consider spinning gear for the real light cranks, if you want more distance. JMHO

Ronnie

[jhoffman]

Im throwing 20lb suffix on my crankbait rod and its AMAZING! Its so soft even without KVD or any dressing for that matter. I cant imagine what it would be like with dressing.

It makes stuff like fireline feel like steel cable and its realtively cheap at $15/150 yrds.

I dont have any problems with backlashing. It casts like a dream.

[jhoffman]

baitcast, shimano citica

Duoooh.. sorry I missed that in your first post.

I think you will cause yourself a lot of trouble by using 10lb (2lb diameter) braid on your reel. I tried just going down to 30lb braid and had a bad time with line digging and backlash. DT-4s and -1s are very light cranks. The Yo Zuri 10# should be perfect on that reel. You aren't going to gain any distance with the tiny diameter line. Your rod sounds about as good as it gets for distance, 7', soft tip, moderate power should load better with light baits and throw them farther. You may want to consider spinning gear for the real light cranks, if you want more distance. JMHO

Ronnie

Spinning gear for those definately, a baitcaster just isnt made for that.

[Wayne P.]

If you want more distance with small baits, use fluorocarbon. That line weighs more than nylon mono and aids in adding distance. Braids have more rod guide drag than the harder surface nylon mono or fluorocarbon lines and won't necessarially give you increased casting distance.

[FD.]

I have 30# power pro on my cranking rig.  7' lightning rod MH and a BPS extreme 7.1 to 1 bc.  Never have a problem with the line digging in and you can sling a rattletrap a mile with it.

[hawgchaser]

One thingvto consider is the structure you will be fishing. Braid will fray and break if you crank against a lot of rocks or even trees. I use 30 PP but not if I am cranking on the river. We fish rock jetties and they will wear the braid down quickly. I prefer flouro for this type of structure.

[jhoffman]

One thingvto consider is the structure you will be fishing. Braid will fray and break if you crank against a lot of rocks or even trees. I use 30 PP but not if I am cranking on the river. We fish rock jetties and they will wear the braid down quickly. I prefer flouro for this type of structure.

Thats odd because my experience with fluro fly fishing is that its HORRIBLE in rocks. It gets nicked up so fast that the invisibility is virtually none.

[burleytog]

PLine CXX 6 lb. will solve your troubles.

[hawgchaser]

One thingvto consider is the structure you will be fishing. Braid will fray and break if you crank against a lot of rocks or even trees. I use 30 PP but not if I am cranking on the river. We fish rock jetties and they will wear the braid down quickly. I prefer flouro for this type of structure.

Thats odd because my experience with fluro fly fishing is that its HORRIBLE in rocks. It gets nicked up so fast that the invisibility is virtually none.

Funny how different people have different experiences with the same equipment. One of the selling points of flouro is its abrasion resistance. I don't know about lighter lines but 20 lb Seagur just doesn't fray like braid. However, the 50lb braid might be better in this department than the 30lb I use.

[5bass]

Some may call it old school but I'd never even consider crankin' with a braided line except for maybe on a trap or something fished around grass. Conventional billed crankbaits are always fished on mono BUT, I am trying out some fluorocarbon now on my deep crank set-up. The fluorocarbon should help me get max depth from my deep cranks and as long as my FIBERGLASS crankin' rod has enough give, the fluorcarbon should work great.