Please Help!! I can't catch fish

[yobuck]

First and foremost, I have no idea what I'm doing. I've read alot about crappie and know a little about how it's done. Went fishing yesterday and found some fish in open water. I setup to cast out to them and reel it back past them. This is where my problem comes in. The fish were 10-15 feet deep. I'm using 4lb. mono and a 1\16oz jig head with a bobby garland plastic. It was a windy day and the wind kept my line blown out and my jig never would sink. I know I could use a heavier jig head, but am I doing something wrong? What's the biggest jig head you would use? Please help!! I'm tired of going and not being able to catch anything.

I would hire someone to go along in your boat for a day.
Have him critique both you and your setup based upon how you want to fish.

[DockShootinJack]

Minnows can make it a lot easier at times

[Auston22688]

I’ve tried to avoid minnows because I want to say I’ve caught them on jigs. Just a hangup I have. But I guess I need some in the boat just in case. I guess I can always tie on a bobber stop and bobber and fish I jig that way.

[Auston22688]

I’ve tried to avoid minnows because I want to say I’ve caught them on jigs. Just a hangup I have. But I guess I need some in the boat just in case. I guess I can always tie on a bobber stop and bobber and fish I jig that way.

[DockShootinJack]

I’ve tried to avoid minnows because I want to say I’ve caught them on jigs. Just a hangup I have. But I guess I need some in the boat just in case. I guess I can always tie on a bobber stop and bobber and fish I jig that way.

Float-N-Fly = a jig under a float. I a very good way to catch fish. I use it any time I want to be able to keep the jig just above the fish. A stop and go retrieve or a slow roll retrieve usually works on them they can't resist. There are days when minnows will put fish in the boat when nothing else will. You call also throw a nice spread of minnows out( as many as your state will allow) and increase your odds of bringing home a fish dinner

[Auston22688]

Does anyone ever use flourocarbon for crappie? I was just thinking that being as flouro sinks, it may be a little better to help lighter jigs sink a little better?

[DockShootinJack]

I have fished fluorocarbon line very little. A less buoyant line would have to make a jig sink faster to a degree. If it is enough to make a noticeable degree I do not know. The braid I fish tends to float pretty well. I do not notice it slowing the jigs fall any noticeable amount. But it will cause the jig to ride up when reeled back in

[Fishnwiz]

I use 2 1/16 oz jigs. Doubles your chance and sinks rate if it’s windy. If they are deep enough you can get over them and vertical jig them. I will add it takes longer to become a good crappie fisher than a bass fisher.


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[shipahoy41]

First and foremost, I have no idea what I'm doing. I've read alot about crappie and know a little about how it's done. Went fishing yesterday and found some fish in open water. I setup to cast out to them and reel it back past them. This is where my problem comes in. The fish were 10-15 feet deep. I'm using 4lb. mono and a 1\16oz jig head with a bobby garland plastic. It was a windy day and the wind kept my line blown out and my jig never would sink. I know I could use a heavier jig head, but am I doing something wrong? What's the biggest jig head you would use? Please help!! I'm tired of going and not being able to catch anything.

I used to have the same problem when I first started. The most important tool in your tackle box is your confidence! Believe in what you are doing and the expected outcome desired. You say your jig offering would never sink. I suggest using a weighted slip float. It will get your offering away from your boat and keep and present your offering at the depth your target fish is.

My second bit of advice would be to fish slower. Cast the jig out, give it time to pendulum back beneath the float, reel up a little to move the lure a bit and let it settle again. The attached drawing is what I personally use. Hope it helps you, but the most important tool is confidence and patience.

Mike

[Takeum]

Don’t forget using slab sauce or scent, maybe even nibbles to entice hungry crappie that use their smell….I love my crappie nibbles myself and spray it with slab sauce,,,,I don’t know you, but does nothing for me to see a steak, but if I smell it, all **** breaks loose…lol…