Originally Posted by
SK-MO
I know this is probably a real basic question for most people here but I wanted some advice and could not find it answered in any previous posts.
I fish Table Rock Lake in SW Missouri. It's known as a very clear water lake, but some of the best crappie fishing is in some of the upper arms where you can only see about 15" or so. My preferred method this time of year, pre-spawn, is to flip a 1/16 jig, suspended a 2-3 feet under a float with a 12' rod, while drifting through poletimber. It seems to me that 95% of the good fish (at least the ones I can catch) are within inches of standing timber, both hardwods and cedars. The long pole is a deadly method for when fish are suspended toward the TOP.
I do this from shallow water out as deep as 45', depending on where I am finding fish, but the best trees pre-spawn seem to be at least 20' deep and near a channel unless its really warm and in the afternoon.
Sometimes for whatever reason (like yesterdays cold snap) I can't catch them toward the surface and have to go deep next to the trees.
Finally my QUESTION: What is the bet/most effective way to do this? i.e. fish a jig 15-20' deep real close to the wood? The wind is usually blowing making casting and boat control difficult, and casting and getting a jig within inches of a tree is hard enough to begin with, especially down deep.
My solution is usually to ease up to the tree and tie off, then drop my same 1/16 jig straight down a foot at a time with a conventional length spinning rod. It's slow at best and there are a lot of trees that can't be tied to as they are just underwater. I usually catch only one or two good fish per tree it seems. I am not sure holding position with the trolling motor spooks fish at 15 feet and deeper but it seems like it would.
Anybody have a better approach to this?
Thanks!
We normally tie up to trees and vertical fish. A co worker gave me a couple poles that we use to tie up to trees with, they do two things. 1st they will keep the boat from rubbing against the tree. 2nd you can reach below the surface and catch the top of the trees that you can just see in the water.
The poles are ¾” PVC, drill hole in side just below where the cap goes. Take 2 caps drill a hole in the top of each. Now take a length of rope that will fit throw the hole with some resistance. Run one end of the rope through the hole in the pipe and tie a knot in it. The other end goes though one cap and then down the pipe and though the other cap and install the caps on each end. The rope needs to be long enough to make a loop around the tree or limb and still have enough to tie off to the boat. The pipe can be cut to any length you like, mine is about 3’ long. I will try to post some pics to help you understand what I mean a little better.
_____________________
may your livewells stay full, and your rods stay bent.
Kevin