Getting Frustrated - Trying to locate / catch Crappie

[Bricks]

I have to agree with every one about good electronics and LEARN HOW TO USE THEM. I have found more Crappies suspended out in the middle of nowhere with them relating to absolutely nothing using SI. Or checking cribs or structure these fish are on the move one day on a crib totally gone the next day or even hours later.

To many times I have seen guys fishing cribs and catching nothing using my Electronics I found them about 50 yards off the cribs and slowly just moving around, pounded the crap out of them. I had to keep moving around trying to stay on them using SI to refind them.

[Hillbilly4949]

Nimrod, the majority of the 4 hour class was on the water in my boat with the new stuff, so I actually got to play around with it ,if I forgot a step or had a question the instructor was right there to answer it

[wcsd106]

Hillbilly did you take your class at HiTec outdoors? I had them install my Helix 7 SI on my bass boat last year. I have to get back down there to have the transducer adjusted, but they're great people. I've been wanting to take his class.

[Hillbilly4949]

Yes I did , Matt Quinn knows his stuff, well worth the money

[MidMsAngler]

I forgot to mention, if you go the guide route, you can usually find a guide who will take you out in your own boat if you explain your situation. I have done this before and it really helps if you're still trying to get your bearings on it. Sometimes you can even get a deal since they aren't incurring the same overhead using their gear, boat, and fuel.


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[yobuck]

A couple years back I hired a guide to go with me on my boat. I was totaly devoid of any knowledge regarding Crappie fishing, and like you, to a very large degree still am. He was very good at showing me how to fish with jigs for shallow water Crappies in and around the weeds. But frankly that's about all he knows, and he isn't interested in doing anything else.
So don't be afraid to ask questions about trying different methods before you agree to go.
Also, if you think you might want to try a different method like say spider rigging, pay someone to take you rather than invest in the equiptment first.
Different strokes for different folks still applies when Crappie fishing.

[MorganT69]

Here is my .02 worth and its just that .02 worth of information. Early in the year, I jig fish but once it warms up the fish will go deep and you are right they are hard to find and catch. In the warmer months I pull Crank baits, its alot of fun and you cover alot of water. Here are a couple of videos to help you learn about pulling cranks and using planer boards is a good idea.
Tellico Feb. 19, 2017 - YouTube

Crankbaiting For Crappie - YouTube