Crappie fishing

[herefishy]

First of let me say I have no idea what I'm doing when it comes to crappie fishing. I use to bass fish quite a bit but my schedule changed and I haven't been able to fish much in the last 3 or 4 years. Well it has changed again and going to get to fish a little more. I've wanted to try fishing for crappie for sometime. A buddy of mine just bought a aluminum boat and we are going to give it a try. From the reports I've read on here I've purchased a few things but have a few questions if anyone wanted to help. I've bought monkey milk and electric chicken made by Bobby garland and a couple of lite action rods. Do you use certain color jig heads to match what ever color jig your using? Or do you just use the lead color or maybe black? Are crappie similar to bass with structure they hang around or stage on? Do you retireve the jig silar to a jig bass fishing or maybe a shakey head? Ive also read that you can use a float wheb jig fishing for crappie. I'm don't want anyone's trade secrets just kind of a starting point. We will be putting in at the hwy 58 bridge up by the shortstop if that matters.


Thanks in advance.
Daniel

 

[cptenn94]

I do not have a lot of experience myself, especially since I have been limited to only fishing from bank/piers.

But here are a few things.

1. Crappie are a schooling fish. Where you find one, you will likely find more.

2. Crappie enjoy cover, so submerged trees and boat docks(or piers) are good places to target them.

3. Crappie generally do not feed on food that is below them, so if you find what depth they are at, try to present your bait just a little above them.

Again I really am not a great fisherman myself yet, and my experience is limited to mainly fishing from the pier in chester frost. I cannot stress enough however if you find some crappie, remember what depth you caught them at, and their location. Because if you can figure that out, you stand a great deal more chance at catching more.

My typical fishing technique for crappie at chester frost is to just get some minnows and hook some to a bobber, and the rest to a carolina rig and sit and wait for the crappie.

I have not used jigs very often, but I do not think the color matters all that much on the jig. Perhaps you may choose a color to contrast the bait, but I would think the bait itself, and presentation would matter more. I do believe that most people use between a 1/32, and 1/16 weight jig with the BG baits when fishing for crappie.

I would like to finish with one final piece of advice. Learn to be a good line watcher. If you see a twitch in your line, or the line starts moving in a odd direction, you may want the set the hook. Those crappie bites sometimes can be just a tiny thump that you may not see or feel if you are not watching the line and the crappie can spit the lure out before you know it if you are not paying attention. It WILL NOT likely be an aggressive bite like the one you get with bass. I personally use hi vis line with a long flourocarbon leader(just regular flouro tied to the hi vis mono), so I can watch the line better to detect bites and set the hook.

Anyways I wish you and your friend good luck, and I hope that others can give you more specific, and detailed advice from experience.

 

[Mr. S]

This is basically what's happening on the lake at the moment. I'm getting my boat wet Saturday and this will be one tactic I will try. Here are a couple of recent reports that may help. Keep an eye out for drumking and polo-dog reports as well.

http://chattanoogafishingforum.com/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=87424&posts=4&start=1

http://chattanoogafishingforum.com/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=87387&posts=11&start=1

Keep on emoAngler

 

[herefishy]

Thanks, gentleman. I'm eager to get back out there.

 

[stuckinthetrees]

Good info guys

 

[herefishy]

Ok, so a little update. We've been out several times without much luck. The first time the water was real muddy and we blamed it on that.the next time I threw everything I had at them and all I managed to catch was one spotted bass. We fished up in wolf tever around docks both times. We also tried minnows both trips without a single bite on them. I guess we are going to try some rocky points next.

 

[fishinvol]

My experience in crappie fishing , I catch way more on jigs than I do minnows. They should be all around spawning areas. Some already have and some are still spawning . 2-4 ft of water has been best for me.

 

[Buoy-Master]

Docks docks docks. That all I'm seeing other than a few trolling and some hitting brush on banks. Don't rule out bridge structures too...they can be loaded at times.

 

[TubbyTN]

good tips