BY KEITH KAVAJECZ
Getting crankbaits to maximum depths has always been the bailiwick of lead core trolling line. Lead core is a sinking line that enhances the running depths of of all the popular crankbait brands, styles, and models.
The only catch is that getting these lures to maximum depths requires deploying excessive amounts of lead core line. Setting these especially long trolling leads takes lots of time and when a fish is hooked, it takes a substantial amount of time to fight that fish to net.
While there is no denying the effectiveness of using lead core, this tactic isn’t the most efficient means of getting crankbaits to maximum diving depths. A new trolling tactic is knocking on the door in terms of being everything lead core is and isn’t.
The Precision Trolling Data phone app released new crankbait data in 2025 called the 50+3T data which involves using an Off Shore Tackle OR36 #3 Resettable Diving Tadpole Weight (referred to as 3T in this article), rigged like a Snap Weight to place this diving weight on the line ahead of crankbaits. The Tadpole Diver is more efficient at achieving depth than Snap Weights and other in-line trolling sinkers. When teamed up with a deep diving crankbait, the maximum diving depths rival and even exceed that possible with lead core line.
THE 50+3T DATA
Here’s how this new trolling system works. Consult the Precision Trolling Data phone app and click on the “Lists” function. This section of the app provides a sub-set of data found in the app. Scroll down to the 50+3T Method and a list of lure brands and lure models that offer this trolling data will appear.
For example, click on the “Berkley” brand offerings and up will pop the six models of Berkley baits that currently offer the 50+3T Data. Click on the desired lure and then click on the “line type” option to select the 50+3T Data. The last step is to select the desired trolling speed from the “MPH” picker wheel.
This data is based on letting out the desired lure 50 feet, then attaching a #3 Tadpole Diver on the line using an Off Shore OR16 Pro Clip mounted to a split ring. The split ring is in turn attached to the tow arm on the Tadpole.
When the Tadpole is placed in the water and additional trolling lead is played off the reel, the Tadpole and crankbait will dive. The “Feet Down” picker wheel can then be used to select the desired target depth. Once that target depth has been selected on the picker wheel, the “Feet Back” picker wheel will spit out the total lead length (including the 50 foot initial lead) required to achieve that target depth.
The 50+3T Data selection currently offers nine different popular brands and more than 20 popular crankbait models. As time goes on more lures will be added to this unique trolling system.
ADVANTAGES
The overall lead lengths required to get crankbaits to maximum diving depths using the 50+3T Data are much shorter compared to similar depths using lead core line. As a result, lines can be set more quickly and hooked fish come to the boat faster.
The 50+3T Data can be used with all common trolling lead lengths out to 200 feet total. To reach maximum diving depth with lead core line requires letting out as much as 300 feet of lead core line, plus a 50 foot leader!
This trolling setup can also be teamed up with in-line boards like the OR12 Side Planer to cover more water. Because this data is based on using 10 pound test (.014 diameter) fishing line, there is no need to use the extra-large trolling reels or the dedicated rod/reel combinations required when fishing lead core line.
Anglers can use any main line type they prefer (fluorocarbon, monofilament, co-polymers, and braided line) that matches the .014 diameter line used in the PTD app with identical results. In short, the new 50+3T Data gets crankbaits to depths never before possible using conventional line types. How deep? Some of the deeper diving crankbait models will achieve depths of up to and exceeding 70 feet when trolled in combination with the 50+3T Data! Simply amazing!
Editors Note: The folks at Precision Trolling Data work hard to provide anglers with critical depth diving data they need to maximize trolling success by always updating their app as new information becomes available. For more information, visit www.precisiontrollingdata.com
