Crappiecrazy, I'm also new to pulling cranks. This is how my boat is set up. I have a 19 1/2 ft Alumacraft Bay Invader with a Merc 150 Optimax. To slow it down, I have added a trolling plate. I have moved my spider-rig rod holders to the rear. I have 2, 16 ft rod out the side. I have 2, 9ft rods out the side. I run 2, 7ft rods straight out the back. I have line-counter reels. I'm pulling cranks that run 8 to 12 ft, model 300 Bandits and Grave-Diggers from Cabela's, all colors. My speed is from 1.3 to 1.8 mph. I usually have 80 to 100ft of line out. My line is 8lb size Power Pro. I tie a swivel and use a leader of 2ft, 12lb mono to tie to the crank. To make them go deeper, I add a bullet weight, to the front of the swivel at least 1/4 oz. and let more line out. I heard the guys at Old Hickory was running them as deep as 23ft. I don't know how?? Maybe a 3-way swivel with a heavy sinker almost like down-riggs. I sure have had fun fishing the 'new-to-me' way of fishing. <*)}}}><
You'll see the difference,,,on the end of your line! PROUD MEMBER OF TEAM GEEZER