rig ups for the lite bite

[KCMO CRAPPIESLAYER]

hello fellow slabhunters. i was curious when using minnows and the crappie are hit'n really lite, almost just inhaling it and spit'n it right back out. are there any certain kind of hooks or certain sizes that are better than another. been using minnows a little more but find it hard to hook them when the lite bite is on. and one more question where do you hook them at when fishing for crappie, any certain way. thanx for any input or advice. good fishn to all!

jeff the crappieslayer

[skiptomylu]

I don't use minnows a lot, but when I do I use them with a 3 way swivel and they go on a short leader and the other leader is about 18" or longer with a 1/8 or 1/4 oz jig. They hooks I like best are Gamakatsu Circle hooks in size #2. I hook them several ways and change sometime to see if either of them helps. I hook them through the eyes, through their lips and under the dorsal fin; if one works better I will stick with it. If I am moving, like trolling with my troll motor I will stick with one of the first 2.

Only thing you have to remember with a circle hook is not to set the hook as you are use to, but instead just pull on your rod and let it load up with the fish because of the way a circle works is that it will rotate as it is coming out of the fishes mouth and will almost always hook them in the top of their mouth. Most times in the corner of their mouth.

Hope this helps,

Skip

PS. Most of the bigger fish will come on the jig about 80% of the time!

[shipahoy41]

I don't use minnows a lot either. I use my own design of a Clouser minnow-jig, but when I do I fish them with no weight. I use a bobber http://www.crappie.com/gr8vb3/showthread.php?t=19609 that was featured on this forum. That is the key. Watch the bobber for the slightest movement and set the hook.

[deathb4disco]

Use a float!! And make it a good one, like a waggler. They will show bites you won't see using any other float.

[sparky]

I'll second a good float and quality hook. If your fishing open water you might want to try and go to a smaller test line. They might be getting line shy. One lake I fish you can use any size during the spring and early summer. But once the weather turns really hot I've gone as low as 2 # test.