Crappie tips?
- Thread starter Whipgenie
- Start date
Help Support Chattanooga Fishing Forum:
Another morning, launched at sunrise. Out until lunch. 1 keeper - barely.
So here's what I'm doing:
Light tackle 4lb line 1/32 or 1/16 ounce jig head (chartreuse usually) and a whole bunch of jigs in all different colors. Have had the most luck lately with bobby garland ice blue I think.
Anyway, the fish finder returns completely die off in less than about 10' of water so I was staying in about 15 to 10 feet and can see plenty of them (or something) down there. This morning they seemed to be mostly at about 10 - 12' deep. I cast out, let it sink to what feels like it should be about the right depth, then gently bring it back. If seems like I'm doing an OK job at keeping it at about the correct depth.
Move around after a few minutes of nothing, slowly troll around doing the same glad the sonar can't amplify their obvious laughter.
I tried some laydowns near the bank but the finder was completely dead and I kept getting hung up. I ran short on "weedless" jig heads and really don't know what to do to not get hung.
Looked for some structure, thought I found some but no joy there though I had some bumps.
Today we fished a couple creeks going into wolftever and a bit outside the bridge on a slope where we've had a little success before.
I don't want to go out without something new to try that might have a chance. Anything will help.
Thanks.
So here's what I'm doing:
Light tackle 4lb line 1/32 or 1/16 ounce jig head (chartreuse usually) and a whole bunch of jigs in all different colors. Have had the most luck lately with bobby garland ice blue I think.
Anyway, the fish finder returns completely die off in less than about 10' of water so I was staying in about 15 to 10 feet and can see plenty of them (or something) down there. This morning they seemed to be mostly at about 10 - 12' deep. I cast out, let it sink to what feels like it should be about the right depth, then gently bring it back. If seems like I'm doing an OK job at keeping it at about the correct depth.
Move around after a few minutes of nothing, slowly troll around doing the same glad the sonar can't amplify their obvious laughter.
I tried some laydowns near the bank but the finder was completely dead and I kept getting hung up. I ran short on "weedless" jig heads and really don't know what to do to not get hung.
Looked for some structure, thought I found some but no joy there though I had some bumps.
Today we fished a couple creeks going into wolftever and a bit outside the bridge on a slope where we've had a little success before.
I don't want to go out without something new to try that might have a chance. Anything will help.
Thanks.
rsimms
Well-known member
I am DEFINITELY not the best crappie fisherman on this Forum. Maybe I'd rank in the Top 500, emphasis on "maybe!"
That said, my suggestion is that you learn how to "shoot docks." In my humble opinion, from May through October, it is probably the most consistently successful pattern there is. Trust me, there is a big learning curve in (A) learning how to "shoot" properly (my downfall) and (B) learning which are the best docks to shoot. You may need to fish 20 docks to find one or two good ones. But once you find good ones, they'll often stay good consistently. You said "YouTube" is your mentor. There are a thousand videos on YT that will show you how to shoot docks.
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=crappie+shooting+docks
Good luck!
That said, my suggestion is that you learn how to "shoot docks." In my humble opinion, from May through October, it is probably the most consistently successful pattern there is. Trust me, there is a big learning curve in (A) learning how to "shoot" properly (my downfall) and (B) learning which are the best docks to shoot. You may need to fish 20 docks to find one or two good ones. But once you find good ones, they'll often stay good consistently. You said "YouTube" is your mentor. There are a thousand videos on YT that will show you how to shoot docks.
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=crappie+shooting+docks
Good luck!
jbh3
Well-known member
Not sure if any old posts by our former crappie guru aka "Drumking" are still searchable on here, but, if so you would do well to check them out. I believe someone said he was still active on one of the crappie forums.
ranger518vx
Well-known member
There have been some decent crappie on the docks near the marina back in Wolftever Creek. Red/Chart hair jigs have worked well for me. I normally put up my crappie poles completely from May - October. Good luck!
what JBH3 said. Visit Crappie.com under Tennessee and read DrumKing's post. He normally doesn't crappie fish until June and at that time he targets offshore structures....brush piles. I believe Mr. Simm's is spot on at this point and time. Docks until they move deep. Good luck.
Biofisher I
Well-known member
There is a free on line magazine. Crappienow.com
It is filled with article, videos, and a lot of information about Crappie fishing, check it out. Once you sign up it will continue to come to you once a month.
BioFisher
It is filled with article, videos, and a lot of information about Crappie fishing, check it out. Once you sign up it will continue to come to you once a month.
BioFisher
Gator
Well-known member
Mr. Sims is right! Shooting docks will get you some crappie. I am not the best but have found that everything Richard is saying is right. Practice at a dock with a good clearance, say 3 ft then some with less clearance and locate docks in 10 ft plus deep working the deeper and shaded areas really well, count down until you pick up fish and you’ll know how deep they are. They’re there sometimes and just don’t bite so move on to another dock. You will eventually get some bites but the bite won’t be anything you’ll feel but a twitch of the line or tightening or maybe just a movement not natural and when anything I described happens set the hook immediately. Good luck.
SPOONMINNOW
Well-known member
Whipgenie how did you make out?
SPOONMINNOW
Well-known member
</p>
It's kind of difficult recommending what to use and where without knowing much about the water you fish. I fish highland lakes with different bottom types, flats, drops, points, weedy areas and mostly depths between 2-7' to catch fish of different species using the same light lures. This is what I depend on regardless of what water I fish: </p>
</p>
1. light tackle: light action rod, 8# test braid</p>
2. light jigs like you're using: 1/32, 1/24, 1/16 oz ball head, unpainted</p>
3. soft plastics from 1" - 5" rigged on the above jigs.</p>
4. jig weight is chosen based on how fast or slow the lure is worked and the depth fished plus plastic lure size and shape</p>
5. lure design and shape determine the visual and sonic qualities of a lure</p>
6. lure color is nowhere as important as its action and the shape that produces it</p>
7. finesse lures are key for catching the most fish due to their slow speed/subtle action which allow the most time to trigger fish to strike</p>
8. fish don't and can't relate lures to anything that ever lived. (JMO) If they could, lure selection would be limited to the day fished. Instead, the variety of lures that trigger strikes is unlimited; even one single lure of good design is capable of catching fish anytime.</p>
9. good thing you use sonar. If I find bait fish or any size fish in an area on my screen, I fan cast around the boat to see what's biting. Locating active fish is #1! Possible pattern discovery #2.</p>
10. Once you find productive areas in a lake, seasonal patterns exist that can be depended on to consistently locate and catch fish</p>
The above basics I swear by allowing catches from 40-130 fish per outing which include some quality fish. Hope some of this is useful.</p>
</p>
Many of the above lures caught fish the same day in the same water.</p>
It's kind of difficult recommending what to use and where without knowing much about the water you fish. I fish highland lakes with different bottom types, flats, drops, points, weedy areas and mostly depths between 2-7' to catch fish of different species using the same light lures. This is what I depend on regardless of what water I fish: </p>
</p>
1. light tackle: light action rod, 8# test braid</p>
2. light jigs like you're using: 1/32, 1/24, 1/16 oz ball head, unpainted</p>
3. soft plastics from 1" - 5" rigged on the above jigs.</p>
4. jig weight is chosen based on how fast or slow the lure is worked and the depth fished plus plastic lure size and shape</p>
5. lure design and shape determine the visual and sonic qualities of a lure</p>
6. lure color is nowhere as important as its action and the shape that produces it</p>
7. finesse lures are key for catching the most fish due to their slow speed/subtle action which allow the most time to trigger fish to strike</p>
8. fish don't and can't relate lures to anything that ever lived. (JMO) If they could, lure selection would be limited to the day fished. Instead, the variety of lures that trigger strikes is unlimited; even one single lure of good design is capable of catching fish anytime.</p>
9. good thing you use sonar. If I find bait fish or any size fish in an area on my screen, I fan cast around the boat to see what's biting. Locating active fish is #1! Possible pattern discovery #2.</p>
10. Once you find productive areas in a lake, seasonal patterns exist that can be depended on to consistently locate and catch fish</p>
The above basics I swear by allowing catches from 40-130 fish per outing which include some quality fish. Hope some of this is useful.</p>
Many of the above lures caught fish the same day in the same water.</p>
