I'll be using 30# braid (8 lb mono diameter) for trolling cranks. Do I need to use a mono leader and if so, how long? Also, will using a leader and a barrel swivel change the way my crank runs? Will it help or hurt?
Printable View
I'll be using 30# braid (8 lb mono diameter) for trolling cranks. Do I need to use a mono leader and if so, how long? Also, will using a leader and a barrel swivel change the way my crank runs? Will it help or hurt?
I dont see why you would need a leader. Im sort of the opposite though I use 8lb mono and use about a 2 foot braid leader. The swivels dont seem to affect the way the crankbait runs either.
I wouldn't worry with a leader, plus you'll lose your ability to bend the hooks out with a mono leader. I would fill my spool up with mostly a cheap mono for filler and then spool on your braid. Assuming you're using line counters they're more accurate when they're full
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Most people I know that push/pull cranks WILL use a "sacrificial" leader. It may be because they are using trolling weights ahead of their cranks, and can't stop or turn quickly around to free a hung bait (due to the necessity to maintain a set speed, so as not to have ALL the cranks pulled to the bottom by the trolling weights).
I use leaders, so as to not have to try and pull a crank free OR break 30lb test braid ... but then I don't longline troll with cranks, I push them (w/trolling weights ahead of the leader line & crank -- or jig)
I've heard people say they use 3-5' mono leaders for cranks. I've used as short as a 18" leader, ahead of my cranks, and still caught fish.
A leader is like car insurance. You only need it when it really counts.
A fluorocarbon leader affords abrasion resistance and shock absorption, which I feel is critical when using braid. If you are worried about not being able to bend out hooks on a hung cranbait, switch the trebles out to single, aberdeen hooks. They've been catching crappie for generations and when combined with cranbaits, they can be bent out with little effort, even with straight mono main lines. JMO.
Braid straight to the crank. Crappie tell me they don't care.
Mono all the way to the swivel at the bait. Never saw a need for anything else. KY/Barkley crappie approved of this message.
I use 20/8 braid, yellow- I tie straight to swivel and bait. I use no leader, crappie do not care. Hooks will bend out with this setup. I use bandits, they come with light hooks, Chinese made, will break also. My 2cents worth.
I use braid straight to the swivel. Lose less baits this way.
What they said
30# power pro to a duo lock snap to crank.
why do you use swivels connected to crank bait?
I use 10 lb. Mono.....no leader
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G891A using Tapatalk
Snap swivels make it a lot easier and faster to change cranks vs. having to retie each time you want to change colorsQuote:
Originally Posted by minnowtime
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Many use them to make changing cranks easier/faster, and some to keep the line from getting twisted up bad when the crank rolls over & over (with a fish on, or some debris gets caught in the hooks, or the trolling speed is too fast for the crank).Quote:
Originally Posted by minnowtime
Personally, I don't have much faith in swivels stopping line twist ... so I just use duo-lock snaps on the leader, to hook the cranks on (whether they have a split ring or not). I use them on the main line, when pushing jigs, to hold my barrel sinker and to connect my leader line to ... plus I use them when casting cranks for Bass ... so I keep a good supply of them on hand.
This set up has and will continue to fill the livewell with minimum loss of crankbaits, day in day out, nuff said.:biggrinQuote:
Originally Posted by wilbur