line size

[MonteSS]

I have my panfish rod rigger with 8# Power Pro braid which is 1# mono diameter.

Sittn next to guys that were pullin crappie in on every cast. They said they were using 4# test. 1/8 jig with dark curly grub in 15' water. Water temp was 48*

Depth finder was lit up with giant schools under and around the boat. I tried 1/8 jig with white curly tail as well as green 1.75" fluke. tried dropshoting and 1/12 kastmaster.

So I am thinking I nead to use a 4# mono leader next time. I cant believe in the slightly stained water it made THAT much of a difference where I could not get any bites.

What do you think?

[SeaRay]

Early in my fishing life I had a similar experience with a buddy who was using 4# and I had 8# test, both mono. I changed out to 4# and it didn't help. Why? 1. He was reeling about 1/3 as fast as I was so his jig was falling into the fish.
2. When I forced myself to slow down I missed 4 out of 5 fish because I was waiting to feel a thump, when he was watching his line go slightly slack and then he set the hook.
I had to learn to reel slowwww and watch the line like a hawk. Felt like an idiot setting the hook when I felt absolutely nothing, until I started catching fish as regularly as he did.

[RiverSlabber]

Those are good tips Mark.

[deathb4disco]

Early in my fishing life I had a similar experience with a buddy who was using 4# and I had 8# test, both mono. I changed out to 4# and it didn't help. Why? 1. He was reeling about 1/3 as fast as I was so his jig was falling into the fish.
2. When I forced myself to slow down I missed 4 out of 5 fish because I was waiting to feel a thump, when he was watching his line go slightly slack and then he set the hook.
I had to learn to reel slowwww and watch the line like a hawk. Felt like an idiot setting the hook when I felt absolutely nothing, until I started catching fish as regularly as he did.

Agreed.

Here's what's important in crappie fishing:

1) DEPTH
2) SPEED

Here's what's not nearly as important as we tend to think:

line color
line size
line material
brand of rod
brand of reel
jig color
boat
motor
trailer
trolling motor
rod holders
etc.

[MonteSS]

I am visually impaired so can really watch line. Maybe a slip bobber would help me?

Thanks

[Alboy79]

All good tips.

[CrappiePappy]

I have my panfish rod rigger with 8# Power Pro braid which is 1# mono diameter.

Sittn next to guys that were pullin crappie in on every cast. They said they were using 4# test. 1/8 jig with dark curly grub in 15' water. Water temp was 48*

Depth finder was lit up with giant schools under and around the boat. I tried 1/8 jig with white curly tail as well as green 1.75" fluke. tried dropshoting and 1/12 kastmaster.

So I am thinking I nead to use a 4# mono leader next time. I cant believe in the slightly stained water it made THAT much of a difference where I could not get any bites.

What do you think?

Some other possibilities :

8/1 PowerPro + 1/8oz jig = faster drop rate than their 4# mono + 1/8oz jig

Your color choices (white & green) vs their "dark" curly grub = less visible bait



IMHO ... there is a possibility that the fish were very concentrated in that spot & you just weren't getting close enough to elicit a strike.

I'm reminded of a time on Barkley Lake (Ky) when I was catching pre-spawn Slabs on a solid pink marabou Roadrunner ... and my two fishing partners were throwing (larger) white marabou Roadrunners and not catching a thing. One of them noticed a pink tube jig that was stuck on a log, and I retrieved it for him. Once he tied it on, he began catching Slabs, too. The other partner tried many other baits/colors, but did not begin to catch his share of Slabs until he purchased a pink marabou Roadrunner, the following day. In that instance, color and size of the bait was the determining factor in whether or not a fish would bite with any noticeable consistency. The three of us limited out two days in a row, on that color/size bait, when the same bait in a different color or size produced only a few fish now & then.

Won't hurt a thing to tie a 2' leader of 4# mono to your braid ... if it gives you more confidence. Many swear by this setup, while others don't think it makes much difference. I use 10/2 PowerPro hi-vis braid and tie direct to the bait ... and catch fish on it. But, I mostly use 6# hi-vis copoly (Vicious Panfish) line for jig casting purposes ... on the same bodies of water that I formerly used 4# test hi-vis mono ... and still catch fish.

... cp