Hey guys so I want to give braid for my deep diving crankbaits a shot. Usually I use 10-12lb Seaguar Red Label. What size braid should I use in order to get my crankbaits to the same depth as I was getting before? I saw that Sufix 832 30lb is .011inches in diameter, and that falls between 10 and 12lb Red Label. I wasnt sure if that should get to the same depth then as I was getting with fluorocarbon, or if braid has different properties than flurocarbon that should alter the depth although the diameters are the same. Thanks again!

Braid floats and has no stretch.  You want some stretch to avoid tearing out the treble hooks.

Put 50lb braid on you reel, then add a flouro or mono leader as needed. You need a leader for crankbaits because all the power on your hookset will transfer through the braid possibly ripping the hook straight through the fishes mouth

I use braid for a few different cranking applications.

 

Mostly to help rib baits out of grass.

 

Look at the diameter of the brand of braid you're considering and match that with the line your currently satisfied with.  

 

Personally 30lb braid is an all around choice for me.

 

A-Jay

I prefer 30, 20 gets them a hair deeper on long cast, but it also can suffer from dig in problems on the spool, where 30 is much better for that, plus 30 stands up to junk I an cranking a little better.

If you plan to fish around riprap or similar structured be prepared to lose some lures. Braid gets cut and knicked too wasy for my taste and is much harder to notice when it happens. I prefer abrazx for cranks or sufix seige mono.

#30 braid

Back off your drag

Use a sweep hookset

No braid for cranks!

thanks guys for the replies. Im going back and forth between it, Im not sure yet if I want to try braid or not. 

Go braid! Just adjust fishing style, fish hook themselfs on crankbaits. Lighten the drag on your pole and you'll be good.

Try it, you might like it....or you might not, but at least  then you can form your own opinion based on actual use. I have spent years....YEARS....cranking with braid and will never go back to mono or fluoro. Add an abrasion resistant leader if you need to. But what do I know, I have only boated 1000's of bass cranking with braid, and not re-hashing "internet wisdom" of how you need stretch, or any of the other garbage people spout off about it. If you don't like braid.............fine.........some people don't, I don't like like certain things that other people do, but issuing blanket statement of  "No braid for cranks" treads into the realm of idiocy and ignorance.

Most of our lakes have heavy vegetation, so I normally use 30-lb braid for cranks, chatterbaits, scroungers ~ ~

However, if you select a 'fine diameter' braid, you'll be able to use 30-lb braid that has the diameter of 20-lb braid.

For instance: 20-lb Power Pro & 20-lb Sufix 832 are both 9/1000" in diameter, but 9/1000" Smackdown is 30-lb test.

 

Roger

I like 30# for squarebills, really helps rip baits off the grass out here...

Unless square bills and ripping through grass, I would stay with mono. The extra stretch will be your friend if you can not keep the bass from jumping. If you use braid you may want to consider your hook set. A very slight sweep will stick them and no more.

Thanks guys I appreciate all the advice!

I switched over to braid for all my cranking needs and have been very pleased.  I go with 8lb diameter myself.  The added feel is great and having a crank bait specific rod helps with keeping the fish buttoned up.  I lose less fish now than i did before i switched to braid using the same exact set up.  It also helps the baits to dive deeper as the line is smaller diameter and has less resistance when cutting through the water.

 

I may see if my reel can handle 6lb diameter braid when it is time to respool but I don't see that happening anytime soon

I switched over to braid for all my cranking needs and have been very pleased.  I go with 8lb diameter myself.  The added feel is great and having a crank bait specific rod helps with keeping the fish buttoned up.  I lose less fish now than i did before i switched to braid using the same exact set up.  It also helps the baits to dive deeper as the line is smaller diameter and has less resistance when cutting through the water.

 

I may see if my reel can handle 6lb diameter braid when it is time to respool but I don't see that happening anytime soon

 But.....but...but....you can't crank with braid, it's like law or something. LMAO.

On 7/11/2015 at 10:09 PM, ww2farmer said:

Try it, you might like it....or you might not, but at least  then you can form your own opinion based on actual use. I have spent years....YEARS....cranking with braid and will never go back to mono or fluoro. Add an abrasion resistant leader if you need to. But what do I know, I have only boated 1000's of bass cranking with braid, and not re-hashing "internet wisdom" of how you need stretch, or any of the other garbage people spout off about it. If you don't like braid.............fine.........some people don't, I don't like like certain things that other people do, but issuing blanket statement of  "No braid for cranks" treads into the realm of idiocy and ignorance.

I totally agree, if you have a good cranking rod with a parabolic action, braid can be a wonderful tool when cranking. It doesn't stretch out after hours of casting like flourocarbon and with a mono leader you dont have to worry about abrasions in rock or cover as much. Not to mention, the greatest crankbait fisherman in the world uses braid for cranking, Mr. David Fritts of NC! His recommendations are why I switched from mono a few years ago. But then again these are just my opinions, use what works for you!

A blast from the past...