I know these have probably been asked a 100x so sorry. I have a 7 M mod rod that I will throw no deeper than 8 ft cranks. I have no grass in my lakes so it will be brush and rocks on points. So not a fan fluor and want to run mono. My question, what is better line 10 or 12 lb . My reel is 4:7.1 . I am just scared 10 is to weak but want my baits To hit maximum depth. Also the low gear ratio doesn't help does it, just keeps them deep longer

I would stay with the 12 pound.  Since your not deep cranking, the twelve should do you just fine.  Plus, as you said, it will be better for fishing around the brush and rocks.  As far as the gear ratio...for shallow cranks, I wouldn't use a reel that slow.  The low gear ratio is more for deep cranking as it lessens the torque produced by the the deep bill and eliminates fatigue.  It doesn't necessarily keep it deeper longer.

 

For deep crankin', I would use 10 and slower gear ratio reel.

Done got the reel. Will it mess me up that bad?

My crankin reel is the same ratio as yours and I like it like that, it keeps your bait in the zone you want it to be in for a max amount of time. and I throw mine on 10 pound test to get that extra depth , and I keep my drag set light. So between the fast tip of the rod, the slight stretch in the 10 pound line, an the drag being set good, I never break off when throwing my cranks. *Knocks on Wood*. I do sometimes when throwing the bigger /deeper cranks put on some 12 pound trilene. this allows me to rip the bigger baits down to depth quicker,, or so it seems.

 

Oh an invest in a decent lure retreaval system! will save you a bit of $ in the long run!

Unless you're fishing really thick stuff I'd stick with the 10lb. I use 10lb for all my cranking except around really heavy cover when I step up to 15 and I very rarely lose a fish. You'll be fine with that gear ratio, it'll keep you from moving your bait too fast, at least that's what it does for me. 

Thanks guys

In field tests,10 lb mono gets 1 ft deeper than 12 lb mono.  Whether that is enough depends on the crankbait and how high/low you hold your rod during the retrieve.

In field tests,10 lb mono gets 1 ft deeper than 12 lb mono.  Whether that is enough depends on the crankbait and how high/low you hold your rod during the retrieve.

 

Length of cast is also a HUGE factor in diving depth.  A lot of guys are saying they like the slower retrieve because it helps them fish the lure slower.  I fish shallow cranks pretty fast, that is why I like the faster (faster than 4 or 5 to 1) gear ratio.  Also, I find it easier to slow down with a fast reel, than try to speed up my retrieve using a slow reel.  As with all fishing, we all have our personal preferences.

thanks again, great info, guess I need to hit the water and just see.