J White

[crappiecrazy]

Jeff,
I attended the Crappiemasters Classic this weekend on Old Hickory as a spectator. It seems that crankbait trolling was the ticket. I would like to fix up my 14' johnboat 25hp with some rod holders and give it a try. Could you post a picture of your boat so I could see the rod holder setup?

Thanks

PS
Any other crankbait tollers chime on in!

[J White]

Jeff,
I attended the Crappiemasters Classic this weekend on Old Hickory as a spectator. It seems that crankbait trolling was the ticket. I would like to fix up my 14' johnboat 25hp with some rod holders and give it a try. Could you post a picture of your boat so I could see the rod holder setup?

Thanks

PS
Any other crankbait tollers chime on in!

Sorry, been away from the puter for a little while - be glad to show you,
I am not (ever) completely happy with the way mine is set up, but I'll
put pics up and tell what I'd change. Take a little while, internet access here
at work, boat, camera, and computer with camera software is at home.
Did you get anything out of 'em on what baits, colors, anything?

[ShilohRed]

Jeff that can't be right. The boat needs to be at work with you. That way as soon as you get off work. You can head to Pickwick.
Think I will take the camper to Pickwick and camp and fish 2 day.
I also look forward to the pictures of the boat.
PEte

[Crappie Chatt]

Crappiecrazy, I'm also new to pulling cranks. This is how my boat is set up. I have a 19 1/2 ft Alumacraft Bay Invader with a Merc 150 Optimax. To slow it down, I have added a trolling plate. I have moved my spider-rig rod holders to the rear. I have 2, 16 ft rod out the side. I have 2, 9ft rods out the side. I run 2, 7ft rods straight out the back. I have line-counter reels. I'm pulling cranks that run 8 to 12 ft, model 300 Bandits and Grave-Diggers from Cabela's, all colors. My speed is from 1.3 to 1.8 mph. I usually have 80 to 100ft of line out. My line is 8lb size Power Pro. I tie a swivel and use a leader of 2ft, 12lb mono to tie to the crank. To make them go deeper, I add a bullet weight, to the front of the swivel at least 1/4 oz. and let more line out. I heard the guys at Old Hickory was running them as deep as 23ft. I don't know how?? Maybe a 3-way swivel with a heavy sinker almost like down-riggs. I sure have had fun fishing the 'new-to-me' way of fishing. <*)}}}><

[wvspec]

Jeff if you could include rod "weight" or maybe brand name/ model # with the length I know that would help me and maybe others. I am currently using two 10' trolling rods and two 6' "green carp" sticks. Thanks and look forward to the pics

Beev

[wvspec]

Jeff,
One other question I have is do you pull cranks year'round or when the water is warmer?

Beev

[J White]

I'll go ahead and answer the easy one now Historically for me at least,
from Easter to Thanksgiving - of course this will vary depending on the
weather a given year. I'd say more specifically, from roughly 65 degrees
(water temps) in the Spring, down to 50 or so in the Fall. But I love doing it so much, I have pushed it to the extreme in both directions. I'm still not sure what the absolute limits are. It is really peak in my opinion in the "dog days" of really hot water and high air temps. Catch 'em in July and August in 100 degree air temps, during the middle of the day.

[wvspec]

Jeff,
One more question I have is do you idle the engine after you hook up?
Beev

[J White]

Jeff,
One more question I have is do you idle the engine after you hook up?
Beev

If its just a average size fish, I will not change speed at all. If it's a nice one,
and I'm wanting it real bad (tournament) I'll back off to idle, which in flat
water is about 1.0 mph with my plate down. Only if it is "slabzilla" will I go
to neutral, cause it is real easy to get a tangle going on if its windy - If
it's a 2 pounder, I don't mind having to reel in, untangle, and reset 2-3 rods :D I have noticed, SOME days, changing speeds to deal with a fish
will trigger strikes on other rods, either while you're "coasting", or when you
take off again. Need about three sets of eyes sometimes Same for making
turns, when the outside line speeds up and inside slows down - get lots of
hits when you first straighten up, and the inside line suddenly speeds back up.

[wvspec]

Jeff,
Thanks for all your help and look forward to hearing more about your setup.
Beev