Crank bait line

What is recommended line for casting crank baits?

Welcome to IDO Walleye7.

Surely will get various opinions here, but I haven’t used anything better than a 10/2 Powerpro. No memory, no Stretch, small diameter, great action, and smooth as silk through your guides. It is a round weaved line vs. a braided 3 strand twist.

Again!! Welcome to IDO!!

Welcome to IDO!

Like Chris said, hard lines work great and the best thing about them is the feel you get with a hard line. They also allow the bait to drive quicker and deeper due to the thinner diameter. If you’re using a hard line for cranking, be sure to match it up with a forgiving rod. A medium light might be best. Remember that these super lines do not stretch and you can rip the crank right out of the fish’s mouth if you put the hammer to ’em with a heavier rod.

If you are going to be bouncing the cranks off the rocks or wood, then you might want to consider a premium mono line such as 8lb Suffix Elite. A mono will stretch and allow the crank to bounce off objects, triggering strikes and hopefully avoiding hangups.

If you’re fishing jerk baits, I think mono is a must in order to get the proper action on the crank.

One other factor to keep in mind is depth. If I’m fishing deep water, I prefer a hard line as it allows me a better hook set. In shallower water a mono line might be best, again because of the stretch factor. But a hard line will work in shallow water as long as you match it with the right rod and don’t set the hook too hard.

Good luck!

Very Valid points Wade.

I fish Powerpro 10/2 while working big jerkbaits for early season pike in shallow water, but also use a Med Light St. Croix. I of course utilize a Tyger wire leader system since Pike are Tackle stealers. A heavy action tip would be overkill, and definatley pull hooks out with non-stretch line. In my opinion anglers are often taking the fight out of a fish with overkill on heavy gear. The fight is a big part of the experience for me. Last year we landed 49 pike over 10lbs in 3 weeks. All of those fish were on 10/2 powerpro with Med to Med light rods. 3 of those fish pushed over the 20lb threshold. I never felt like we weren’t able to effectively fight and land the fish. And the smashing strikes on that set up…….PRICELESS!!

Depends on what you are doing – All lines have pros and cons.

If you are rippin’ a trap through the weeds – by all means use braid.

If you are jerkin a rip bait – use flouro. Many good brands but it helps the bait stay suspended as it sinks.

Light / Small cranks in the spring – again flouro.

Topwater or wake baits. – Mono – it floats

If you are grinding deep cranks into the rocks – I like a tough mono like Maxima –

Fireline in the 8lb test 3lb diameter gets my vote. I use this line for casting light crank baits on wing dams and rip rap. Very durable line as well. I have had the same line on some of my reels for 2 years and have not encountered any sort of problems.

I have not had the chance to try the other lines mentioned but sure they work well.

Also depends on the reel too. Those skinny brainds and super lines are fine on a spinning reel. I like a 12-20 pound test momo or floro for a baitcasting reel. Put the 3-8 lb diameter stuff on a baitcaser and you will have nouthing but problems!

-J.