Sardis this past weekend -

[J White]

Went out for crappie Friday evening, managed a limit in about six hours,
but Gosh, all the dinks! Actually got tired of catching 6-8" crappie and
started changing tactics to try and discourage them, with only partial
success. Lost count at about 90! Only caught one spoonbill this year, a 35 pounder, but that was enough for me. Every year, it seems like I get a little lazier - snagging = lotta work! I think between all 6 of us in our group, we snagged up about 12 - the biggest 43 pounds. Only kept 3 though, it don't take long to get tired of cleaning them either! Ate way too much, and had
a few too many brews, as usual - just wish I could do it every day! :D

[ribit]

That is a great looking mess of fish. Youngun had a big fish. lol

[Crappie Chatt]

J White. Did you 'crank' those crappie? I'm VERY new to trolling cranks. I have read the articles and THINK I have the equipment to do it. I did troll cranks at the CUSA Classic this year and did get 13th place in the simi-pro div., but we looked VERY ugly :D hanging 5 gal buckets over the side to slow us down. We had no idea how far to let line out or just how deep our make-shift riggs were running! Now that I'm hooked on it, I have tried it around here a few times without not even a strike from anything. I have a trolling plate and line counter reels now. Any other hints?? <*)}}}><

[J White]

CrappieChatt, I started off pushing 3" curlytails and 4 ounce weights with
the gas motor - "cookin' with gas :D " but was catching so many small ones,
and my rod holder situation is not ironed out yet for the long poles... so
I started trolling cranks after I had about 20 in the box, and caught the last
10 plus a lot of small ones on "Awesome Pink" 300 Bandits with 60 feet of
line out, about 1.9 mph. I don't know about your experiences... might try
different colors and depths - I do know one sure-fire way to not get strikes
is to be too deep - don't know if that is your problem, just one thing that came to mind. I will try different places, depths, and colors, and speeds till I find something that works. I watch for fish on the depthfinder a lot, and try to not be below them. As for running depths, it just comes down to time,
trial and error. When you cross a shallow spot and note that the depth rises
to a certain number, note how much line you have out, and did they hit bottom or not? I mostly only use a couple of different lures to make it easier
to remember how deep they will run on a given amount of line.

[Crappie Chatt]

Thanks J White!! I was running the Bandits for sure. Some Cabela's grave diggers were out too. I had my speed from 1.5 to 1.8mph. I also had 100 to 150ft of line out. This is 8lb size line. The lake was stained with less than 8in clairity. Saw shad schools running 8ft down. Wind was blowing at 15mph. Gave up after 2 hrs and went to brush-piles vertical jiging. Caught some nice-uns :D off the bottom in 10ft. I'm going to keep on trying these cranks. Headed to clearer water this Friday. It will be a 'blue-bird' high pressure day with winds outa the NE under 10mph. Lake temps are in the lower 70's. <*)}}}><

[J White]

That is a great looking mess of fish. Youngun had a big fish. lol

Yes sir, Mr. Ribit, that was a good one. I forget the young man's
name, but he is Larry, aka the pirate man's youngster - We've been doing this
so many years now, it is getting to be like family! See the same folks once
a year down there. Larry is a great guy, always wears a bandanna tied up
around his head, has lots of tattoos, and likes Captain Morgan rum, hence
the pirate name.

[roybuoy]

good looking mess of fish there J White sounds like you had a big time

[wvspec]

J White,

When you are "pushing" curly tails with the weight what type equipment do you use, carolina rig?, length, with reels etc?

Thanks for any help.

[J White]

J White,

When you are "pushing" curly tails with the weight what type equipment do you use, carolina rig?, length, with reels etc?

Thanks for any help.

More of a "Kentucky Rig" with 2 hooks on droppers above the weight.
I'm using 14' B&M Pro Staff "Super Stiffs" - still not stiff enough, if you ask
me - though they are designed and advertised for this style of fishing.
Reels are el cheapo Bass Pro "1 ball bearing" baitcasters, small in size.
I think they are said to hold roughly 110 yds. of 10 lb. or close to that.
10 or 14 lb Fireline for the main line, 10 or 12 lb Vanish for the leader.
Weight, 6", #4 aberdeen, 3', 'nother #4 aberdeen, then 6" to a barrel swivel
connecting to the Fireline. ACTION BAIT CO.! :D If you can imagine a color,
they probably make a grub that color, with a choice of tail colors and/or glitter! Pushing in front of the boat with 'ole Honda, about 1.5 mph.
Hope that helps Oh, and I tie "dropper loops" about 3" long (double line) to put the hooks on, just loop them on.

[wvspec]

J White
Thanks for the info. If i understand correctly you are just using hooks, no jig heads, and the weight is on the bottom (like a drop shot rig) Same rig I use when tightlining. How many rods do you run if fishing alone? Do you think this would work for bluegills by using smaller hooks and curlytails. I drag cranks' with electric auto/co-pilot. Fish alone alot and it helps me control boat when I have to put one in or take one out of cooler.
Thanks
wvspec aka beev