Pulling Cranks 101

I usually run mine anywhere from a short of 2' above the bait to a max of about 5'. Anything longer and it's a cluster to get a fish off.

Maj - You can find stren gold in pony spools in some tackle shops, but I think the only bulk size in gold is the service spools - like 5K feet. In the $35 range.

Can't help ya on red swivels. I tie direct to the bandit. Had problems with action on some swivels.

Rods - Monk is good folk. Real good folk. So is Grizzly. Give 'em both some business and you'll be happy with both. Pretty sure Monk must hand deliver everything by himself everyday. The boy ships quick. Grizzly too for that matter.

Wannabe...

Looks like the MAJ's thread is gonna set a all time record for pages and responses dont it WB?

I wondered how you get the fish off.. I must have read the 5' and saw 50', my mind must work like that sometime, or I need to go ahead and get those new glasses. Am I close with the rest of it?

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Originally Posted by E-Z Poleholder

I wondered how you get the fish off.. I must have read the 5' and saw 50', my mind must work like that sometime, or I need to go ahead and get those new glasses. Am I close with the rest of it?

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Thats what happens when you weld a lot. :)

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Originally Posted by satdoc1

Looks like the MAJ's thread is gonna set a all time record for pages and responses dont it WB?

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This thread is a record breaker. :D I have learned a lot from it too.

I think you've about got it EZ. Except, I would not use a swivel small enough to go through the eye. Run the risk of punching out the insert when you do that.

Storage with weights is a problem though, especially with heavy weights. For cranks, say with 2 oz weight on a 2 to 5 leader, what I do is to let enough line out to wrap the weight around the handle below the reel 2 or three times, then wrap the remaining leader around the handle. Most lines will take a crinkle or curly que set when you take them off again, but that's not really a problem with cranks no matter how much memory you have. For the loose line above the reel, I hold it about mid pole and spin the rod while holding the line.

Wannabe...

Guys I think we are try to make this harder than it is. When I started pulling I was using some 6' med spinning rod and would cast a crankbait as far behind the boat as I could and troll. You don't have to have line counter reels, 20' rods, planer boards, 20 lbs of sinkers, or 100 Bandits. Just start out with some of the equipment that you already have and make sure you like pulling before you invest a small fortune. Pulling crankbaits is not for everybody.

Shhh Creek. You're hosing up my Economic Stimulous plan.

But you are right. I started with milk crate and pvc holders and bass rods and some cranks I robbed from my Bass stuff.

Wannabe...

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Originally Posted by creekslick

Guys I think we are try to make this harder than it is. When I started pulling I was using some 6' med spinning rod and would cast a crankbait as far behind the boat as I could and troll. You don't have to have line counter reels, 20' rods, planer boards, 20 lbs of sinkers, or 100 Bandits. Just start out with some of the equipment that you already have and make sure you like pulling before you invest a small fortune. Pulling crankbaits is not for everybody.

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Thanks for the toon tips Creek. I think I'm going to start practicing next time its slow catching, which probably will be this next trip after all the rain we're about to get. I've got a ton of old crank baits that won't matter if they disappear. Maybe I can get a feel for how stiff rods need to be and how to stagger, turn, and untangle. Sort of a shake down run prior to prime pulling time.

Thanks Maj. Because of this thread I'm ordering 4 of those Okuma line counters. This is all your fault. :D

Great thread Maj.

EZ, in re-reading, there's one thing I missed from you understanding. When I'm running weights - normally 2 ounces, I'm using them to squeeze in extra lines with my set up and I'm running them off the front. I'm limited currently to 4 poles from the sides - mid-ship. When I've got kids I'll run 2 to 4 extra off the front with weights. When I do that, I'm only letting out about 20 ft of line so they're basically running right under the drivers seat. If you let out 50 ft with a 2 ounce weight, you're gonna be running about 20 to 25 ft deep I'm guessing. There might be a time for that, but generally the fish are shallower than that.

Also, with weights, you'll lose more fish than without. That weight gives them leverage so when they shake they can pull the hooks out. More noticeable with larger fish.

Wannabe...