Crankbaiting line choices

[RK]

Hiya,

Ok so I'm a muskie guy encroaching on the bass board, but...

Some of the discussions on cranks sort of got me to thinking about line choices and crankbaiting. Thought I'd pose a couple questions and see what folks think...

For a lot of the cranking I do this time of year, I've been using superline (after trying several, with results that ranged from so-so to screaming frustration, I settled on 20# Cortland Masterbraid, which is great stuff). On the lakes I fish bass on, the cranking I do in mid and late summer is along deep coontail edges (16-22 feet), so the superline a.) helps me get some extra depth b.) increases casting distance a little, and c.) makes it easier to rip through the tops of the coontail. The rod I use for this is a 7'11" cranking rod that's really a noodle, which lets me get away with the superline when it comes to not losing fish. I also kind of think the superline makes it easier to feel soft hits (happens a lot along deep weedlines...crank just sort of skips a beat).

That having been said, seems like a lot of guys use Fluoro for cranking. Kind of curious to hear the arguments for it. I use it as leader material for jigging quite a bit, and as a leader on jerkbaits like Husky Jerks, Rogues and X-raps, but haven't used it much as a pure casting line...

Just curious...do you think there's a disadvantage to superlines for cranking? Is there a greater advantage to fluoro?

Cheers,

Rob Kimm

[Deitz Dittrich]

RK- I am one who uses floro for cranking. Reasons.. It stretches a bit(shock absorber, keeps fished hooked alittle better).. Floro sinks rather than floats(which helps get the crank down a big further.) And its fairly invisable underwater.

I do use braid for cranking in heavy weeded lakes at times if I am ripping weeds as you described. However, I feel I loose quite a few more fish, either to pull offs or jumps.

just my opinion!

[cjac]

RK.....you're not alone in the forum jumping. Water temps put me on bass as well!!

Deitz, doesn't the noodle effect of the moderate action rods for cranking help offest the need for the stretch? Also, when you are into more of a "rippin' the weedtops" situation, do you go to a different rod or stick with a moderate action crank rod?

Thanks!

[Deitz Dittrich]

C- Yes, somewhat.. all the help you can get to keep that fish buttoned. I do more weed ripping in the fall than during the summer.. But dont get me wrong.. it still does work in the summer.

[Mr. Pike1]

I am a florocarbon guy as well for cranking. Mostly for the reasons already mentioned. I also fish mostly 6-8 lb and use a spinning real which differs from many who chase bass.