Into The Deep for Crappie

Bobfishtales....... Perhaps the number one question about fishing different places is how to adjust from shallow water to deep or vice versa. Being from the very deep south, where typically the marsh is an average of 5-8 feet, going to a lake or area where the water may be up to 30-40 foot deep can be a daunting task. After all, the typical technique for the South is a jig under a cork fished about 18 inches deep. That is an easy adjustment for folks that fish the deeper lakes. But adjusting from south to north is more involved. If you are a novice fishing a new body of water, you may need at least one day just to explore. It is imperative to have a good depth/fish finder. Two preferably, one dash mount and one mounted on the trolling motor. This will aid in finding structure as well as the depth of the fish. Unless crappie are spawning in shallow water, the single pole cork method won't be as effective. You can use the cork method in these type of places, but a slip cork may be needed. Sometimes you will find fish 3 foot deep and sometimes 20 feet or more. This all depends on time of year and water temps. Another reason for a fish finder is that most units will give you the surface temperature. This could be important for locating active fish. Finding information on the best areas is also imperative. The last thing you would want to do is to fish areas without structure or fish. Then to explore, finding where others, particularly the locals, are fishing can benefit in catching more fish. Most of those folks are willing to share their expertise. Now the important thing, adjusting your technique. Tight lining is probably the most effective way to catch more crappie. Whether it is single pole,learning to spider rig or using the pole in each hand method. A 10-12 foot crappie pole is the norm for this type of fishing. A jigging pole is better if you are not spider rigging. They are lighter and usually better for feeling the bite. Plus it won't tire you out. Tight lining allows you to explore different depths easily. Typically, a heavier jig head is recommended. Fishing the marsh or shallow water, a 1/32 or 1/16 oz jig works well. In deeper water 1/16 to 1/4oz may be needed. If tight lining is not your thing, using a slip cork may be what you need. A slip cork allows you to adjust to deeper depths. Bait wise, fishing the shallow marsh or the deepest lake are not much different. Those colors that work well in the South, will work well in the North. And as always, you can't go wrong with live bait. The simplest method and easiest way to catch crappie is to tie on a weight and hook, used with a live minnow. You can buy these already assembled at you local tackle store. A light wire hook works well from a number 6 to a 1/0, and usually will bend and pull off if you get hung up. This will save you time re-tying. Line size depends on water clarity and structure. If fishing heavy cover a heavier line is needed. Braid works well for this also. The thinner diameter allows you to use heavier pound test on the same reel that lighter line is used. This can help pulling off hang-ups and feeling the bite better. So if you are thinking about heading to deeper water, just a few adjustments may help you net you more fish. Good luck fishing. Hope to see ya on the water

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Shallow Water Live Scoping

Image
Shallow water livescoping is not as easy or simple as one might think. The sheer amount of noise can make it difficult to spot the targeted fish you are trying to catch. When talking shallow, I mean 6 ft or less. So you have bought the coveted holy grail Garmin livescope or the new Lowrance Active Target. These innovations have changed the way fishers fish for certain. Deeper lakes/reservoirs are easier to navigate and spot brushpiles and fish. Shallow water seems to be more difficult. The settings are basically the same, usually noise rejection on low or medium. Then you adjust the gain and depths accordingly. Some scopers like to keep the bottom at the lower part of the screen which works fine in deep water. But sometimes in real shallow water, the view gets distorted and it's harder to see the fish. I like to put the depth at half or three quarter screen. These are only personal preferences that work for me. The key to catching more fish in real shallow water, is knowing what t
Read more

Catching That Crappie Wave

Image
Every year, starting late winter, well-into late spring and even early summer, crappie begin their spawn. The wave starts here in the deep south and will continue as far north into Canada. It is perhaps the favorite time of year for crappie anglers. It's that time of year when even the novice of novice fishers can catch numbers of spawning fish. Just like clockwork, the spawn occurs here in the southern regions of the United States and progressively moves like a giant wave of crappie fishing heaven. Typically starting late January to mid February, the flurry begins and spreads north through the middle states from middle March through April. The wave continues north through April and May. So if you are a crappie enthusiust, and have time to travel, you can ride this crappie wave all the way to Canada. This may be a little far fetched for most of us, but it is possible to catch part of the ride by traveling a few hours north of where you are fishing. Perhaps the best example here in
Read more

The One Question

Image
 Fellow fishers are always curious about how other fishers are catching fish. They ask what kind of bait or color you are using, but the  one question that everyone ask, that is probably the most irrelevant, is "how deep are you fishing"? The one thing modern technology has proven is that under most circumstances, there is no right answer to this question. Unless there is extreme weather like really hot or cold, fish will be all over the water column. This is especially true for crappie.  Livescope technology has totally changed the perception that fish all school together at a certain depth. As a matter of fact I have seen fish swimming a few inches under water, even in 30 feet of water. One would think that if a fish in that depth of water, it surely would be suspended deeper than a few inches.  Even in cover like standing timber, some fish may be at the top, some in the middle, and some may be on the very bottom and all on the same tree.  So next time you are fishing and a
Read more