Crappie Finesse

There are times when you just have to finesse the fish into biting. It's not just technique, but adjusting lure type and size, as well as line size. Sometimes, this all determines whether you catch fish or not. We have all been with someone who is catching more fish than you are, even when the same color or type of lure is being used. However, it may be that small subtle thing that matters more than just color. It may be the type or size of your line. It could be the style or weight of the bait you are using. No doubt, when crappie get finicky, adjusting your tactic will boat you more fish. One common mistake some fishers make, especially when fishing shallow water like the marsh here in south Louisiana, is using a jig that is too heavy. When fish are reluctant to bite, the last thing you need is for the bait to sink too quickly past the fish. Keeping the lure in the strike zone is important and can be done with a heavier jig, but may not trigger a bite. A lot of times when conditions are tough, most of your bites may be reaction type bites. Downsizing your jig head will certainly help. A bait slowly passing in front of a fish may trigger a bite better than one that quickly drops. Switching from an 1/8 ounce to a 1/16 or even to 1/32 ounce or lighter could make all the difference. Lure size matters also. A lighter jig head combined with a slighter larger jig body will make the lure react different resulting in an injured like baitfish. If there is anything that will make a fish bite, even when not active, is an easy meal like an injured baitfish. Line size may also determine how fast a lure will sink. However, line size can be a tricky issue. Thicker line may descend slower, but in clearer water may outweigh the benefit. Although, there has always been a debate on whether fish are really spooked by seeing the line. Fluorocarbon has been a big thing for years, but not all are sold on the idea. In fact the new craze is using high-vis fluorescent type lines which help you detect a bite better. So the next time you're fishing buddy is catching more than you are, don't just change the color. Look at the other equipment as well such as jig style and weight, as well as line size. A lighter touch and finessing may make all the difference. Good luck fishing. Hope to see ya on the water.

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