David Unnerstall Posted February 17, 2018 Posted February 17, 2018 I spend so much time with my nose planted on the grindstone that when I do get a chance to go fishing I just enjoy it so much I do not concentrate enough on catching fish. Last Spring my buddy Rick out-fished me on Wappappello. Well I want to change that this Spring and I have five questions: 1. Wait until you feel a hit, or randomly set the hook when you feel confident a crappie is there? 2. I like the nine-foot pole, at times, and drop straight down in brush and straight up to avoid snags – what is the general opinion on this? 3. Simple: jigs or live bait? 4. And regarding live bait: (now I don’t have a moral problem using live bait if the fish that is caught goes into the fryer – I do have a problem with those who torture live bait ……) how does one place the hook and why? 5. Old Plug says he uses monofilament, I think I recall, because it sinks more slowly. Do others agree?
MOPanfisher Posted February 17, 2018 Posted February 17, 2018 Well each lake and each fisherman has different needs and styles but I will give what I normally do. Anytime you feel a hit set the hook, if something feels different set the hook, if in doubt set the hook, jerks are free. By set the hook I don't mean the old cross their eyes routine, all it requires is a short fast twitch. I use jigs but grew up fishing minnows, always hooked them just behind the dorsal fin so they would wiggle, never once worried or thought about it as torturing them. I am too lazy to use minnows any more, getting hem, keeping them alive etc. I have never mastered the art of the long pole but those hat have do well, and I am a braid guy, used tie direct to the jig now nomally use a mono leader. I can and will copy how a buddy is fishing IF I am not catching fish, however I am a bit stubborn and will often stick with my chosen method or bait and just grumble. I have been beaten so many times fishing is don't even worry about it anymore. Haris122, David Unnerstall, terryj1024 and 2 others 4 1
Old plug Posted February 17, 2018 Posted February 17, 2018 OLD PLUG Does not use mono on his crappie outfit he uses 10 lb Pro braid on those. Preferably in yellow since he cannot hardly see to the the black stuff anymore. He uses mono for everything except sinko baits there he uses the 10 lb Pro braid again. mixermarkb, terryj1024, Ketchup and 1 other 4
liphunter Posted February 17, 2018 Posted February 17, 2018 Maybe just over a year ago I have returned to the world of fishing after a few decades of being over worked and under rested. And I am loving the crap out of it. Learning so much buy the good guys on this site, and the internet. I just recently picked on the method of the long pole. I have decided I want to pursue that. I was really taken in by that. So I have ordered a 11 foot pole and am going to learn how to do it. I mainly like to fish for Bass, Walleye, and Crappie. Not necessarily in that order. But I do enjoy eating Crappie and Walleye. So I am going to give the long pole a shot. terryj1024 1 Luck is where preparation meets opportunity...... Or you could just flip a coin???
Gavin Posted February 18, 2018 Posted February 18, 2018 Do not fish crappie that often anymore...but if you can snake a jig down a tree, retrieve jig through a brush pile, jig a dock stall, or shoot your jig under a dock you should do well. Keep your jig in the water. Buy lots of jigs...If fishing a minnow, insert the jig through the mouth, then out through the gill plate, then hook through the body so it is flat like a tiny flat little fluke. Make sure the minnow's mouth is tight your jighead. Ketchup 1
fishinwrench Posted February 18, 2018 Posted February 18, 2018 I pretty much ignore crappie until the big ones start piling up along the shorelines in April-May and I can have a few fish frys and then put a possession limit in the freezer. Then I forget about them again until next year. No elaborate techniques to master, just run down the bank and throw little jigs at pea gravel transitions until the livewell is full. It's about as exciting as picking mushrooms. Crappie don't excite me enough to spend thousands of dollars on specialized equipment and sit out over 40' of water just to feel a little "tick". They don't fight, they don't jump, they are just food. Marginal food at that. David Unnerstall, patfish, Gavin and 1 other 4
David Unnerstall Posted February 18, 2018 Author Posted February 18, 2018 On 2/17/2018 at 11:35 AM, Old plug said: OLD PLUG Does not use mono on his crappie outfit he uses 10 lb Pro braid on those. Preferably in yellow since he cannot hardly see to the the black stuff anymore. He uses mono for everything except sinko baits there he uses the 10 lb Pro braid again. I apologize Old Plug. I knew I was going to get that wrong.
David Unnerstall Posted February 18, 2018 Author Posted February 18, 2018 13 hours ago, fishinwrench said: I pretty much ignore crappie until the big ones start piling up along the shorelines in April-May and I can have a few fish frys and then put a possession limit in the freezer. Then I forget about them again until next year. No elaborate techniques to master, just run down the bank and throw little jigs at pea gravel transitions until the livewell is full. It's about as exciting as picking mushrooms. Crappie don't excite me enough to spend thousands of dollars on specialized equipment and sit out over 40' of water just to feel a little "tick". They don't fight, they don't jump, they are just food. Marginal food at that. Wrench, I do not disagree on the excitement factor. But it is a social thing with me and my buddies.
MrGiggles Posted February 18, 2018 Posted February 18, 2018 On 2/17/2018 at 10:30 AM, David Unnerstall said: I spend so much time with my nose planted on the grindstone that when I do get a chance to go fishing I just enjoy it so much I do not concentrate enough on catching fish. Last Spring my buddy Rick out-fished me on Wappappello. Well I want to change that this Spring and I have five questions: 1. Wait until you feel a hit, or randomly set the hook when you feel confident a crappie is there? 2. I like the nine-foot pole, at times, and drop straight down in brush and straight up to avoid snags – what is the general opinion on this? 3. Simple: jigs or live bait? 4. And regarding live bait: (now I don’t have a moral problem using live bait if the fish that is caught goes into the fryer – I do have a problem with those who torture live bait ……) how does one place the hook and why? 5. Old Plug says he uses monofilament, I think I recall, because it sinks more slowly. Do others agree? After the thump I will pull just a little tension, if the fish is there set the hook. Many times bluegills will just peck (try not to jerk if no weight is felt, or they will pull your plastic off), a crappie will bite and hang on for a bit. The real tricky part for me is when they hit it on the fall, that's when line watching pays off. If your line suddenly goes slack and starts piling up on the surface, set the hook fast. They can bite and swim up with it too. I don't use minnows very often but I hook them through the nostrils with a fine wire hook. Try to keep the presentation as natural as possible. I enjoy Crappie fishing quite a bit. Figuring them out in the off season is equal parts challenging and rewarding. Could take or leave bass fishing, not sure why but the spark just isn't there for me. terryj1024 1 -Austin
fishinwrench Posted February 18, 2018 Posted February 18, 2018 22 minutes ago, David Unnerstall said: Wrench, I do not disagree on the excitement factor. But it is a social thing with me and my buddies. Now THAT is worth getting excited about
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now