I've been using 10# flourocarbon for cranking for years, but want to do some deep cranking with large lures.

 

Should I only bump up to 12# or go to 14#, 17# or higher?

 

There are muskie where I fish so that is probably a factor when I use the big cranks.

Heavier line will keep your baits from diving to their maximum depth. You may lose as much as 2 feet of depth going from 10 to 17. As far as the muskies go, they'll bite through 17lb as easily as 10. 20lb braid will run your baits a lot deeper than they would with fluoro, plus you'll be able to cast them farther.

Not much defense against those toothy critters besides steel leaders (not an option on cranks). But when i deep crank i use 10-12lb but never more than 14lb fluoro. 

I don't deal with muskie, but 10-20 lb braid with 8 lb FC leader.  The little round  in the line compensates for the last of stretch due to the braid

10-12lb for deep divers.

Was "gown" a typo or a term I've not heard before?

 

I have some 15# PowerPro and will give it a try for deep cranking. 

 

I'm only concerned about the toothy guys for large cranks like the KVD 10.0. I don't think a heavy fluoro muskie leader would inhibit the action on that one very much.

 

4 hours ago, NHBull said:

I don't deal with muskie, but 10-20 lb braid with 8 lb FC leader.  The little gown in the line compensates for the last of stretch due to the braid

8lb CXX, you won't beat it for that application. 21lb break strength, .12 diameter, no stretch, and the best abrasion resistance out there. It's actually manageable without line conditioner as well.

 

Oh, it's $8 for 300 yards.

I use 12 lb red label.