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Thread: Thanks for the welcome

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jun 2005
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    North-East Mississippi
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    Default Thanks for the welcome


    Wow. Thanks for all the replys, and so quick! I updated my profile
    with my location and contact information, if anybody wants to send
    me a private message, have at it. Will try to post some pictures soon.
    For those of you who asked about trolling cranks, first let me give a
    brief rundown of some of my early misconceptions and things I have
    learned so far. These are just my opinion, and may not apply to other
    lakes, but here goes:

    1- don't worry about how deep your baits are running in relation to the
    bottom. I usually fish in 25-40 feet of water, but run baits from 8 to
    21 or so feet. I was hung up on this at first, and it is a none-issue.
    Just watch for fish and baitfish on the sonar, and stay a little above.
    2- just pick some good looking areas and troll - cover water! Note where
    you catch fish and try the same place next time - I also try to devote
    at least 15 minutes to trying a new place every trip. After awhile you
    will develop a "mail route" and start learning which are good in what
    seasons - and the hot spots on each run. You really need a GPS!
    When you locate a good spot and know from experience that you
    can only let out say 60 feet of line without getting hung up, resist
    the temptation to let out more if you don't connect on that day -
    try another spot. Do get a good plug knocker though!
    3- My speeds range from 1.3 to 2.0 MPH, again GPS. I started with
    my electric motor, but in all but the shallowest I fish in Spring and Fall,
    10-14 feet, now I troll with my Honda 50 with a trolling plate
    I made. Want a bigger boat with a gas kicker, but thats another
    story! Try S curves and shifting into neutral occasionally to trigger
    strikes.
    4- sturdy tackle - I use Daiwa Sealine line counter reels, 7' medium
    action Ugly Sticks and 12 lb Transition Fluorocarbon line. My take
    is that you are balancing between not hooking strikes and tearing
    the hooks out. Tried pulling a couple times with a 6' med light
    spinning rod, lots of strikes with no hook up - switched
    to my regular rods and started sticking every strike. You need to
    get on a rod quick and set the hook pretty firm, especially
    at slower speeds. I switch to Gamakatsu EWG's. This level of
    tackle is what it took for me to not lose so many baits to the
    bass - pressure them till they jump, then slack line and they will
    usually throw the hook.
    5- On the subject of bass, my motto for most of the year is:
    If you're catchin LM bass, you are to shallow and too fast.
    White bass or Spots, too fast but right depth.
    6- Start out with just 2 rods - sometimes now I use up to 6 with
    four planer boards, by myself. But it is not for everyone!
    I like to keep the rod holder set to keep 45 to 90 degree angle
    between rod and line - keeps em on till you can reach the rod and
    stick em good. The little clip on line counters are OK to start with,
    but leave alot to be desired, tried them all, Shakespear is best,
    but love my linecounter reels!
    7- Baits. Forget the little stuff advertised for Crappie. If it don't tote
    at least #6 trebles, its too little. And I use a lot of colors, but if
    I had to have only one, it would be "Homer" chartreuse with green
    back. Hot pink and pearl/blue back are some other favorites.
    8- Embrace the wind! Some of my best days are in 3' rollers.
    The hotter and brighter the better - concentrates em on the
    thermocline. Cool cloudy days fish will rise and scatter.
    I could go on in even more excruciating detail, but this should be
    enough to get you on fish! Jeff
    Shoals Area Crappie Association

  2. #2
    frank lawhead's Avatar
    frank lawhead is offline RIP Frank - Crystal is now posting on his behalf.
    Join Date
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    Default trollin

    heh JEFF good post---- never thought much about the speeds in relation to depth thanks for the info
    PROUD MEMBER OF TEAM GEEZER

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
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    BYRDSTOWN,TN.-Dale Hollow Lake
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    Jeff, good info and welcome to the board!!Everyone here appreciates input!! Good Fishin To Ya!!! Dennis
    Good Fishin To Ya!! Dennis Dale Hollow Crappie www.dalehollowcrappie.4t.com

  4. #4
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    Jun 2005
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    virginia
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    Default crankbait trolling

    Read your post above and was excited to read your experiences at it, Crankbait trolling is also how I catch most of my crappie ,I am trying to learn how to spider rig so as to be more versatile however crank trolling is what I do best. I have found many things you related to be the same for me ( I fish in east Tennessee), , especially size of lures, and speer.
    Have some other things I would like to toss around about this method, don`t know if anyone on this board would be interested in this subject that much if not we can talk by private message.
    Ever use Cordell Spot lures? One of my very best producers. Possum1
    possum1
    Jack Mullins
    Psalms 46:1

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Apr 2004
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    Drexel in western NC
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    Thumbs up

    Excellent article and welcome to the board. With your permission I will ask or you can pm Ed to move your post to the thread on crankbait fishing. More people could read it there when they search " crank baits".



  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Location
    Clarksville, Va--Falls/Kerr lakes
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    Thumbs up Tell us...we will listen..

    Quote Originally Posted by possum1
    Read your post above and was excited to read your experiences at it, Crankbait trolling is also how I catch most of my crappie ,I am trying to learn how to spider rig so as to be more versatile however crank trolling is what I do best. I have found many things you related to be the same for me ( I fish in east Tennessee), , especially size of lures, and speer.
    Have some other things I would like to toss around about this method, don`t know if anyone on this board would be interested in this subject that much if not we can talk by private message.
    Ever use Cordell Spot lures? One of my very best producers. Possum1
    ...I think most on here are always open to learn new ways to catch crappie.....if not at least I am....start tossing ....I'm ready!!!!
    Tighten er down till ya strip it--then back off 1/4 turn..
    HEY,,Y'all watch THIS..........

  7. #7
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    May 2005
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    Kansas City, MO
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    Default

    Very infomative post. :D

  8. #8
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    Jun 2005
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    No secrets on my end really, just lots of experimentation, most any crankbait of the right size and color will do the job. What is important, at least for me, is depth, speed and then color, I have found that fairly fast speed triggers more strikes, also larger lures seem to catch bigger crappie. I am fond of Bill Norman baits but also use Bandits, Bomber model A ,Rebel,etc. Sometimes varies from day to day, speed up, slow down, make turns, bump bottom all can trigger a strike. In my opinion Cordell Super Spot LURES IN 3/16 ounce are one of the best lures I have ever used for crappie. I buy them by the dozen, big catfish really like them too, don`t do much good on a rat l trap, can`t understand why. I troll with a 8 hp Yamaha 4 stroke and generally run about 1.1-1.4 mph, but that varies from day to day.
    Crankbait trolling is a great way to locate fish or catch them when they are scattered. Hope this helps, I will be glad to share what little I know. Possum1
    possum1
    Jack Mullins
    Psalms 46:1

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