Advice on cranking setup.

OK, could you fine folks give a beginner some advice specific to setting up my boat to pull cranks. Ive finally sprung for a used 36v terrova for my TR-20 triton. I'll be using hi-tek rod holders bc I already have them for spider rigging in the winter and early spring months. Ive put this post in the Kentucky section mainly because Ill be fishing Kentucky lake. Any advice on rear rod holder mounting, rod positioning, or any small details would be appreciated. Ive read a lot of the posts on boat rigging but would like it to be more specific to my bass boat type setup.

I'm running a Millenium Side-Kick double seat base with side by side Millenium seats for 2 on my rear deck. My HiTek holders are set up for 2 rods off the back and 2 off the sides near the rear. I run a 6 foot baitcaster trigger rod on each side of my Suzuki, a 10' Southern Crappie rod at the corners at a 45 degree angle, then a 14 foot Southern Crappie 143T rod at 90 degrees to the transom where it can easily be reached by the fisherman in the seat on that side. I also run a 6' dropper rod with a 5 oz weight off the same holder as the 143T with a crank on a 3' leader.

This set-up has proved to be the most productive, easiest to make turns without tangling, and easiest for me to run from my center console with the remote on my 112 RipTide.

Many folks try to pull cranks like they pull jigs longlining and there is just too much chance of major tangles and lost fishing time. 3-4 rods for each fisherman is plenty for anybody who is starting out pulling cranks and even then it is easy to not pay attention to baits running wrong, trash on lures, small fish being dragged and even good fish on top and not being noticed.

Shoot ... I'll second that !! I generally push jigs/cranks, and only use 3 rods ... and that's plenty for me to keep track of, at any speed (& esp. in traffic). And like mrdux says ... even then you can drag a dink for quite a ways, without even knowing it (I'm guilty !!)

From what I understand, spacing between the lines is key ... and 2-3ft of separation is a good norm, either by rod angle placement in your holders or rod lengths (or both).

I have 16s and 12s that I would like to use so I don't have to buy any more than necessary. I will more than like buy 2-8' pst and 6 okuma madga line counters. I feel like the 4 foot separation will decrease the likelihood of tangles. Is the key to find the bait, hug the ledges, or going over mats? I assume it could be a combination of all of these. I am mostly a summer ledge fisherman for bass and crappie in the early months so I don't know a ton about where they live in the summer months.

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Originally Posted by jordanjones

I have 16s and 12s that I would like to use so I don't have to buy any more than necessary. I will more than like buy 2-8' pst and 6 okuma madga line counters. I feel like the 4 foot separation will decrease the likelihood of tangles. Is the key to find the bait, hug the ledges, or going over mats? I assume it could be a combination of all of these. I am mostly a summer ledge fisherman for bass and crappie in the early months so I don't know a ton about where they live in the summer months.

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A good idea is to go to you tube and watch some videos. You can learn a lot quick and easily by really studying what and how they're doing it. The only thing better is hiring a good guide to teach you on his boat. You'll learn rod placement too.

Ledges and deeper bays for cranking. Most $$$ will be spent on cranks. Don't load the boat with poles when starting out. KISS method. Build up as confidence builds.

I run a 20' aluminum Triton on KY. Start with two rods on each side and about 4' of separation between them-that'll keep you busy enough to begin with. I will usually run either a 6 or 8 rod spread. My main rods are BnM PSTs in 8, 12, and 16'. 4' of separation to start with makes tighter turns possible with fewer tangles. If I have a partner in the boat I may also deploy two 7' Ugly stick medium action trigger rods as flatlines straight off each corner of the stern or as down rods with 3oz weights in front of my PSTs. I've always ran my rods off the sides of the rear casting deck for years until I tried putting them just in front of my console last year. This allows me to sit down in my boat seat while pulling so my back doesn't kill me at the end of the day. Humminbird is on a RAM mount on the dash so that I can swivel it toward the front to stretch my legs while keeping an eye on my trolling track or if I have multiple people in the boat. Steering backwards with the iPilot becomes second nature after a while. Get you an Ego reach net and go ahead and extend it and have it ready to go on deck when you start putting lines out.

I was just getting ready to get rigged up with my new to me terrova and found that I'd have to hang it over the front quite a bit to secure it so Ive had to order a MKA47 to slide it back and forth. I feel like fall will be here by the time Im ready to go. Im ready to hone in on a new skill. Ive slowly evolving away from those "green carp" but they still have a little place in my heart!