Thread: Tree dipping tactics

I know alot of guys on here do alot of dippin', I am very new to this tactic and would appreciate some insight in technique and approach. I have always been a spring "caster" and want to start looking for some of these slabs in the summer. Feel free to add any insight covering anything from boat position to specific trees . Thank you in advance.

I work towards the tree moving into the wind. It is easier to control the boat when pointing into the wind. I then use the ff to pinpoint a depth. I drop to that depth then vary the depth a few feet deeper or shallower until I find the bite. Not much too it.

Hunter

Trees are all different to fish, always look at the tree and see how it fell into the water the size of the trunk will tell you how far out the tree goes what you don't see is the best fishing part of the tree, vertical trees like cypress have a different trunk fish out from the base several feet 3-4 as it mushroom out practice make perfect just think about what the tree is and has to offer, shade is important too, just my opinion lots more to learn and learning everyday

If possible fish the trees with the most limbs, structure, fish slowly around the outside and inside of the tree. Do fish the shady side of the trunk, do not be afriad of losing jigs, it will happen. I like to tip my jigs with nibbles, the scent add to the bite, and they seem to hold the jig longer in their mouth. When fishing stained water power pro line is what I use, if water is clear I attach three feet of momo.

sometimes cedars and sometimes hardwoods, either way, get your jig up in the mess of things and almost try to get hung up. straight up and down works best to prevent snags. drop it down slow and reel it up slow. i like nibbles too. and try to notice if they are biting best on the sunny side or the shady side of the trees, usually temp and time of day is a factor for this. and when the person in the back of the boat is catching them better, use what they are using and do what they are doing! :-)

Some good pointers already mentioned. Do not pass up any tree! Small stick trees will sometimes produce the biggest fish. Always face the sun so your shadow does not go over the tree.

Got to myoutdoortv.com and look up midwest crappie. There is one on there from Pomona with Chatt and Russ and it gives you quite a few tips and another with Russ and Barry Morrow that is good as well.

do most of you guys use your trolling motor to keep you next to a tree? i have a 14 ft jon boat with a 15 horse motor and a transom mount trolling motor so its kinda hard to keep the boat in position using the trolling motor and trying to fish. all i do is just tie up to a tree and it seems to work alright for me

i never tie up. I guess it depends on how deep you are fishing but most of the time I am fishing shallow trees so I do not want to get close to that tree as it will spook the fish if I am bumping into it....9 or 10' rod and vertically present your bait. With this shallow summer method you are not going to run into big schools of fish so there is no need to tie up. Catch em and move to the next tree.

It takes some practice, but you will get the hang of it. Just keep your tm on the lowest speed possible and slowly approach the tree so you do not go into it or past it.

I find that sometimes they will be on stumps that are not above the surface. When I find one accidentally by bumping with the tm...may mark it and hit it later. Make sure you have your tm up high as sometimes you can see some of those submerged stumps. Last summer I found some of those holding bigger fish than the ones that were above the surface. When fishing up a creek or river area...look for Willows in the water either dead or alive.

Brett I cant help you alot just started myself , but if you listen to these guys it works .Im starting to catch crappie in this heat thought it was impossible before. Dave