do you guys used a flouro leader on braid when using crank baits like square bills, ratltraps, etc? if so what type of leader and weight do you prefer? i was given a reel with PP and want to use it for my cranking and have another with mono for top water.

22 minutes ago, ohihunter2014 said:

do you guys used a flouro leader on braid when using crank baits like square bills, ratltraps, etc? if so what type of leader and weight do you prefer? i was given a reel with PP and want to use it for my cranking and have another with mono for top water.

 

It's either straight braid or straight fluoro for me.  I've never been a fan of adding more knots to my line.  I also don't see a huge benefit to doing it.

There's no reason why you can't use braid for crankbaits, but if you use a line with a little more stretch (mono, flouro, copoly) and a rod with a bit slower action, you'll hook more of the fish that strike and fewer fish will throw the hook during the fight. 

Given my waters, I never use braid with those baits. I'd be more tempted to switch your outfits using the braid for top waters and the mono for cranks/traps.

I do it, usually an 8 foot leader of 12lb yozuri hybrid for cranks with 20/30lb mainline braid. More so because I don't have a dedicated cranking setup but it works. 

7' FC leader and 20 lb braid.

I do like the extra stretch I get with blue label for trebles.

 

I think not doing so based on not wanting to tie the knot is overstated.  I have never seen a properly tied know fail for this purpose.

1 hour ago, Team9nine said:

Given my waters, I never use braid with those baits. I'd be more tempted to switch your outfits using the braid for top waters and the mono for cranks/traps.

what type of waters?

i use fluorocarbon leader with almost anything. i i will use 12lbs but nothing under. the best is 30 you dont have to be worried if you get a hawg and is going to take you in the bad stuff.

 

i tie mine on with a looped leader and a uni knot.  

16 minutes ago, ohihunter2014 said:

what type of waters?

 

Very little veggies. Braid with traps is fine for ripping baits out of submerged vegetation or where you might need to weed whack lily pad stems, but I'm largely open water clay and mud banks with scattered sand and rock. 

braid with mono leader

My favourite way to fish crankbaits in grass. Make sure you balance the system with a slightly softer/moderate rod though. 

33 minutes ago, ec1 said:

My favourite way to fish crankbaits in grass. Make sure you balance the system with a slightly softer/moderate rod though. 

So my 6ft6 med/heavy won't work?

35 minutes ago, ohihunter2014 said:

So my 6ft6 med/heavy won't work?

It will work but would be better suited for straight mono instead of braid. You want a little give in a crankbait rod, braid has no give and a MH F rod doesn't offer much give.