Thread: Pulling Jigs

I have some questions...I got a ''Happy Troller Plate'' this weekend in a trade I made. I know Jeff White had one he made for his old boat for pulling crankbaits with planer boards.
Can I pull jigs with my gas motor [40 hp] out the side and back with it and steer the boat at the same time?..I would think it can be done. I fished with Jeff once and I think he was using it with his old boat pulling cranks with planer boards, and did fine.
I know the guys up north use them on walleye, so I see no reason they won't work for crappie.
My only worry would be spooking the fish with the big motor, I might have to use planer boards for the jigs. What are yalls thoughts on this?

crappie cowboy

I think Yikess has pulled jigs under planers with some success

It should work fine for you. Trick is to stay close to steering wheel especially when it's real windy. I've caught fish pulling cranks with 25 feet of line on my front poles without planer boards while running big motor. That would put the cranks at about 9 feet deep and about 10 feet behind the boat. Big motor doesn't seem to bother them (at Sardis where the water is pretty clear).

I see people "long lining" jigs and big motor isn't a factor.

Do it all the time,only use my tm.

I don't get the whole long lining jigs. Seems it'd be easier to spider rig them. What's the advantage of long lining?

Wannabe...

Guessing that it's to get the baits away from the boat, only thing I can figure. I'd rather spider rig personally, more control of where my baits are and less chance of tangles

The benefit of long lining is covering water. This is great way to fish when the crappie are scattered.

Well yeah, but with the dirty water around here, it seems cranks would be better - more vibration, flash and profile for them to key in on. I still don't get it.

Wannabe...

How much line do yall let out when yall long line them jigs.