Help Trolling Crank Bait Depth

[Big Keene]

4 hours ago, eagle1584 said:

They claim speed has little to do with max depth which I found interesting

me too. i always figured faster=deeper.

seems like speed affects weights. if your trolling with snap weights or in lines, the faster you go the shallower its going to run and vice versa. 

the bill of the crank gives it its depth. seems like speed just gets it there faster, with the amount of line out being the major limiting factor, and line type and diameter being minor factors(thin braid goes deeper than fat mono)

ive never used a weight/crank combo, so i dont know, but i would expect the weight supercedes the crank, which makes speed a depth factor.

[rps]

I have been a part of this discussion several times. All of you are hitting all the right notes.

Speed does not matter if the bait runs true.

Line size affects depth.

Somewhere around 200 feet out, greater depth costs many more feet out. 200 feet may run 20 feet, but 250 increases the depth only to 21.5 feet.

[streamer]

For crappie, 1.6-1.8mph is usually my target speed.  I have switched over to all braid 10-15lb test (which actually tests out closer to 25-35lbs with a polymar or double polymar knot).  This will save you money on crankbaits!  Also use a strong snap swivel and lighter duty hooks.  So what if you straiten a hook on a brushpile, I have pliers in the boat for that, and a crappie won't straiten that same hook!  I can now pull free 95% of the crankbaits I would lose on 10lb mono, and the crappie don't seem to mind the line visibility issue (not always true with walleye).  Plus the thinner diameter braid vs mono gains me extra depth.  

I use mostly okuma Magda line counters, so I always know my bait depth.  I also use different colored braids on different poles so I can more easily rectify crossed lines.  Also, I almost never use a plug retriever anymore.  Having 6-8 rods out at once with any wind makes using that plug retriever difficult at best!  As noted by others, speed is almost irrelevant on depth 99% of the time I'm trolling.  These are the methods I have come to utilize for trolling crankbaits for the last decade on Stockton.  There's always room for improvement, but these tips work well for multiple rod trolling.

[dan hufferd]

I like braid but you can for sure pull a hook right through a crappie if you are not careful. Not so much with mono. I am staying with braid I am just more careful.

[Devan S.]

I much prefer braid for trolling if only for the feel(love metered braid). I know that bait is working and can tell if I have trash on my bait and can adjust. Can also tell if I am ticking bottom well before I get really hung up. Are you guys dropping your drag way down low when your pulling cranks with braid? I like to set mine tight enough a bump from a crappie would release line but sometimes I worry that hurts me when your targeting something like walleye or whites.

[Big Keene]

1 hour ago, Devan S. said:

I much prefer braid for trolling if only for the feel(love metered braid). I know that bait is working and can tell if I have trash on my bait and can adjust. Can also tell if I am ticking bottom well before I get really hung up. Are you guys dropping your drag way down low when your pulling cranks with braid? I like to set mine tight enough a bump from a crappie would release line but sometimes I worry that hurts me when your targeting something like walleye or whites.

i set mine low, but not that low, usually only a drum or bass trips drag on the strike. 

makes you wonder though, like Dan said earlier, braid is easier to pull through a crappie. im curious if a lighter drag would result in more consistant hookups on Sac-a-lait? and would there be consequences on more "solid" mouthed fish. you can thumb the spool in a flash if its a heavy hit.

definitely going to do this experiment the next time im trolling.

[rps]

8 hours ago, dan hufferd said:

I like braid but you can for sure pull a hook right through a crappie if you are not careful. Not so much with mono. I am staying with braid I am just more careful.

I use Depthunter PowerPro braid (2/10). For that reason, the rods I built to troll and drag BB are moderate action, medium power rated for 8-17 test. The gentler flex makes it less likely I will yank the hooks out or straighten a fine wire hook while bringing the fish in.

[streamer]

11 hours ago, dan hufferd said:

I like braid but you can for sure pull a hook right through a crappie if you are not careful. Not so much with mono. I am staying with braid I am just more careful.

Very true, I use to have issues with that.  A soft rod tip, loose drag and line clickers come in handy for this though.

[top_dollar]

Ive had no issues with my downrigger rods, but bps has some crappie trolling rods that seemed about perfect for it....good lengths, and very soft actions. 

[audiochem]

Really good thread. I just wanted to add to it. Pics of my set up. Home made rod holder brackets cost me a grand total of $36 including the rod holders. My brackets work in Lund and Tracker gunwale track systems...not sure if other boats have the same groove that runs around the perimeter of the gunwale.

 I even have the kids fully trained...driving, catching, and putting out. All I have to do is have a beer.

I do have to use two 32" drift socks and trim the motor to slow it down. Kicker motor is already on the CAPEX plan for 2018.