Pulling Cranks

[KAG]

I know its pathetic to get excited to get some more bandits in the mail today to add to the growing assortment. I remember when it was girls and beer ... But that was before the wife and when my liver was young....so bandits will have to do. Got this batch of bandits from a member on here.




Just me but I have noticed a difference in pulling cranks.....I catch more on mono than I do on braid. I use and really like Cajun red mono. I do have to replace it every year but I buy it in big spools so....I noticed side by side, one Okuma Pro 15 line counter loaded with Cajun Red Braid and the other Okuma loaded with #10 Cajun Red mono, the mono seems to catch fish at 3:1. But I lose cranks on the mono.

Now when I am purely wiper fishing I use the bigger Okuma line counter reels and nothing but Cajun Red Braid and the wipers could care less it seems. So I am thinking....I would rather catch more crappie so not really willing to give up the mono. So if I could change out the hooks for a light wire treble....???? Anyone know if someone makes light wire or "lighter" wire trebles that would straighten? Just thinking....

[Kansasoutdoorsman]

I pull cranks all summer long and I have switch over to mostly trilean big game 10-15 lbs big game line. It' big enough to take those wipers on but still able to handle the small crappie. Walleye are the hardest to catch on braid with the no stretch. The heavier line lasts a couple of years but you can break it off of need be. Good luck.

[KAG]

Thanks for the feedback. Worth considering. I think I might give clear fluorocarbon #10 a try to just see. I like the #10 range for trolling for crappie but if a different brand line's diameter was the same for increase test I would try it.

[crappieslinger]

I too have battled back and forth between mono and superline. I have come to the conclusion that while I am cheap and hate to lose jigs and rigs, I stick with mono for still fishing and when I am trolling I use fireline. I cant stand to lose a $4 or $5 lure so I use something I am certain I can get the lure free. Often times with fireline I only get half of the lure or maybe just the front eye, but by damn I get something back! LOL!!

[Crappiewhipped]

Hey KAG, why do you think the mono catches more crappie than braid. Do they not bite the cranks on braid or are you loosing fish due to the no stretch factor of braid. Do the cranks run at a different depth with braid compared to the mono? I think mono floats more than braid or fluorocarbon.

[KAG]

Hey KAG, why do you think the mono catches more crappie than braid. Do they not bite the cranks on braid or are you loosing fish due to the no stretch factor of braid. Do the cranks run at a different depth with braid compared to the mono? I think mono floats more than braid or fluorocarbon.

You ask some valid questions and I clearly see your point........its the answers I struggle with.

[shane]

Let me chime in on this one as I pull cranks for walleye, wipers whites and crappie. I use power-pro when pulling cranks and I do this with my guide service and tournament fishing.

I use a 7 foot soft tipped rod with a line counter and don’t lose many fish due to the line. The key to this is the DRAG. If you are walleye fishing, set the drag so the fish will be able to pull some out on impact. The other key is to keep the rod tip down and reel with a steady retrieve. Don’t pump the rod as that’s when the line goes slack and you lose your fish.

Braid line will run much deeper than mono so keep that in mind. Johnnie Candle has a great DVD on Pulling spinners and cranks for walleye at this link if interested. Welcome to Hightech Fishing with Doctor Sonar - "Doc" Bruce Samson We will also use the same techniques for crappie. I can personally tell you that I usually catch my biggest crappie when pulling cranks for walleye.

In lakes that have zebras, I will uses about a eight foot leader of mono at the end to keep my baits from getting cut off. This also helps with stretch. Look for a good rod for trolling and use your drag and you wont have any problems using super lines.

[skinner80]

Just my thoughts havent had problems trolling with braid in past I think the thinner diameter line of braid gets the cranks diving deeper. My only concern with the lighter wire hooks is if you get a good sized wiper on he may straighten the hook but on flip side you will save lures pulling through heavy cover.

[Ozark88]

When I pull cranks I have two Okuma Magda 15 reels with 10 pound Trilene Big Game on them. Solar Green of course! These are set on two 7' Magda trolling rods. I also have two 6'6 medium action spinning rods what I have Power Pro Depth Hunter on (cheap mans line counter). I usually troll flicker shads. I like to use the braid because it gets the cranks deeper and I don't have to have much as much line out. 10 pound power pro has the diameter of 2 pound mono. In my trolling experience so far, I've had better luck with the braid than I have the mono but I'm sure that's just coincidence. I am to cheap to put braid on my trolling reels but may try it this season. I've had some luck with the Bandit lures and also with Strike King Crappie cranks. I'm alot like you Dave, I just received a bunch of Flicker Shads in the mail yesterday from Fleet Farms and it was like a kid on Christmas morning opening those things up and getting bonnets on them and putting them in tackle boxes!! Buying cranks is an addiction for me and I'm sure what I have is nothing compared to some!

[Ronald Meeder]

KAG thanks for the questions on pulling cranks, this is what makes the CDC a great site. I am a novelist in pulling cranks so any info I can gleam is helpful, thanks to all for your input.