Crankbaits are great lures for catching bass. They can be used in shallow water or deep water. They can be thrown on a cold fall day or on a hot summer day.
In fact, it might be difficult to find a time when not to throw crankbaits.
However, when throwing these baits, there is a piece of equipment that many fishermen forget to take into consideration that can greatly affect the presentation of this lure.
That essential piece of equipment is fishing line.
Does fishing line really make a difference? If so, should I be throwing fluorocarbon, monofilament or braided fishing line? Which fishing line will last the longest?
In this article, we are going to answer those questions as well as other concerns you might have when it comes to choosing the best fishing line for crankbaits.
What is the best fishing line for crankbaits?
Here is a quick preview of my favorite line to using when throwing crankbaits. For more information, keep reading below.
- My favorite monofilament is Berkley Trilene Big Game
- My favorite fluorocarbon is Vicious Pro Elite
To begin with let’s talk about monofilament.
When would you throw monofilament when crankbait fishing?
To answer that question let’s take a look at some of the characteristics of monofilament.
Cheap: Monofilament without a doubt is one of the more popular fishing lines on the market. One of the biggest reasons it is so popular is because it is cheap. For this reason, many fishermen actually using monofilament as a backing on their fishing reel.
Easy to manage: Another advantage that monofilament has over other fishing lines is that it is easy to manage. Fluorocarbon and braid are much stiffer and can be difficult to manage.
Sinkability: Yes, monofilament sinks, but it sinks at a slower rate than fluorocarbon.
(You may also enjoy reading, Best Fishing Line For Bass Fishing, an indepth guide to choosing the right fishing line.)
3 situations to throw monofilament
- Shallow Crankbaits: Since mono sinks, at a slower rate than fluorocarbon it works great when fishing shallow crankbaits. It also works great when fishing for suspended bass.
- Baitcasting reel: Another situation I would recommend using monofilament is when someone is first starting to use a baitcasting reel. When first starting to use a baitcaster you may experience a backlash every once and awhile. Being that mono is not as stiff as other fishing lines it will make getting out the backlash much easier.
- Accuracy: Since mono tends to be easier to manage, it also tends to make a more accurate cast. I would recommend using mono whenever you are in a situation where you need to make an accurate cast.
Which monofilament fishing line is the best for crankbaits?
One of the best monofilament line for bass fishing is
Another great thing about this fishing line is it has good abrasion resistance. Retrieve it through weeds, rocks, logs, etc with no problems. You will no longer have to worry about the line snapping and losing your favorite crankbait.
Use this fishing line while shallow cranking and you will have no problem hauling in big bass.
When would you throw fluorocarbon when crankbait fishing?
Fluorocarbon fishing line is one of the best fishing lines for crankbaits. Before we discuss in what situations you would throw flurocarbon let’s talk about a few of its characteristics that make it so effective.
Sensitivity: While monofilament is not the most sensitive, fluorocarbon is very sensitive. This means you are going to be able to feel your bait better with a fluoro than with a mono.
Little stretch: Fishing with treble hooks can be difficult to set the hook. Choosing a fishing line with little stretch can give help you to ensure better hooksets. Choose a fishing line with no stretch such as braid and you may find yourself ripping the hook right out of the fish’s mouth.
Sinkability: Fluorocarbon sinks much faster than monofilament.
3 situations to throw Fluorocarbon.
- Square Bill Crankbaits: When fishing with square bill crankbaits you want to be able to feel everything going on below the water. The sensitivity of fluorocarbon will allow you to do just that.
- Lipless Crankbait: We all know one of the best ways to catch bass is ripping a lipless crankbait through the grass. Fluorocarbon will allow you to feel the grass and rip it, thus generating a reaction strike.
- Deep Diving Crankbaits: Fluorocarbon sinks. Deep cranking with fluorocarbon will ensure your lure gets to its maximum depth and stays in the strike zone for as long as possible.
Drawback To Fishing Crankbaits With Fluorocarbon
One of the things we love most about fishing with crankbaits is that we can launch them a mile. However, when fishing with fluorocarbon on each and every cast you make you are actually stretching the line. Over time, this stretch can weaken the line and cause it to break unexpectedly.
Which Fluorocarbon fishing line is the best for crankbaits?
A favorite among many is the Vicious Pro Elite
Vicious Pro Elite is an excellent choice when square bill cranking. Its low stretch properties will allow you to feel exactly what your lure is going through while under the water.
Better your chances of more bites with this nearly invisible fishing line.
Lastly, this line sinks. Use it while fishing deep and allow your crankbait to be in the strike zone for much longer.
For more information about fluorocarbon vs monofilament check out the following video:
When would you throw braid when crankbait fishing?
Once again, let’s take a look at a few of the characteristics of braided fishing line
Sinkability: Braided fishing line does not sink, it floats. This can affect your lure especially if you are fishing with deep diving crankbaits as they won’t get down to the desired depth.
No Stretch: Braid has no stretch. This is exactly what you what when fishing with crankbaits because it allows you to drive the lure into the fish’s mouth. Sometimes what can happen when fishing with mono is you may feel a strike, but when you go to set the hook there is so much stretch you can’t drive it into their mouth and you miss a fish. However, when fishing with braid, it is easier to get better hookups.
Smaller Diameter: Braid is available in a smaller diameter than monofilament or fluorocarbon. This is going to affect the performance of the bait and the way it moves through the water. A smaller diameter is going to perform better.
Are there any situations you might throw braid when crankbait fishing?
Fluorocarbon leader: Using a fishing line with no stretch while fishing with crankbaits one may risk ripping the hook out of the fish’s mouth. For that reason the only time I would recommend using braid is with a fluorocarbon leader.
What is the best fishing line for crankbaits? Share with us your thoughts in the comments below.
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