Crankbaits

[vincedia]

So I was challenged with using a crankbait in deep water. I own only two hard baits, one it a pop-r and one is a 8'-10' crank from rapala. (Huskey Jerk?)

Is 8-10' considered deep crank? ( I think the lake I'm headed to is about 30 ish feet)

I'm fishing from the shore, so is weighting the line (kinda like a c-rig) ok for this situation.

I'm going to need some hefty casts to hit the deeper water from the shoreline.

And last question on this subject...

Will braided line kill me? I own two rods, both are 5' and the ugly stick is very stiff.

My usual style is through heavy weeds and bottom junk, so I'm hesitant to give up on the braided line.

The tips section says for deep I should use a smaller line 8-10lb I am using Stren Super Braid 30lb right now. (green FYI) Am I killing myself? Should I respool to a light line?

Thanks in advance,

Vince

Tight Lines!

[senile1]

I consider 8 - 10 foot deep cranking, though not close to the deepest cranking I do.  The Rapala you have is probably a DT, or a shad rap.  Some shad raps go to around 11 feet.  If you're fishing from the shore I doubt that you will be able to cast to the 30 foot water.  You will want to cast to water that is slightly shallower than your Rapala so it will dig into the bottom and create a ruckus.  I generally like to use a very erratic retrieve with twitches, pulls and jerks, but sometimes a steady retrieve is best.  If the bottom is covered in vegetation you will be unable to let the lure dig into the bottom.  You will want it to glide just over the vegetation, sometimes ripping it through the top of it.  C-rigging a crank is an option.  

Thirty pound braid is equal to 8 lb test mono in diameter, I think, so this won't ruin the action of your lure, but you will need to be careful when you get a strike because you don't want to rip the hooks out of the fishes mouth and you can do this with a stiff rod and braid.    Your rod needs to be medium action and the fish should hook himself on the crank.  When you feel the fish nothing more than a quick snap of the rod should be needed.  With a 5 foot rod you won't be moving as much line when you set the hook so this may help you if you're going to crank with braid.  I would recommend a longer (6 - 6 1/2 ft) rod, myself, but sometimes you have to use what you've got.  

[vincedia]

Thank you so very much!

This was exactly what I was looking for.

I think I'm going to be in about 5-7' of water from the edge, but I wanted to make sure that was deep enough. If not, I was going to rent a boat (more $$) and hit the really deep areas. Glad I don't have to go through that

VInce