Locator jig

[Geebee]

I realize I'm probably going to get a diverse number of answers, but I'll ask anyways.
I'm fishing upper Lake Marion SC. New to the lake. I'm having trouble finding crappie. Is there a go to jig that I can use to prospect for fish? Typically, it's a bright sunny day. I can see a white jig about 3 feet deep before it disappears, if that helps you judge water clarity. I'm looking for both type of lure and color/s.

[Lund]

Would like to know too.
I fished there but it was really hard. (Learning too) just be careful there!!!


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[Geebee]

Yea the lake is so large it's kind of overwhelming. I've read over around Persanti Island is supposed to be good, but that's clear on the other side of the lake for me. I pick my way across, slowly for now. I see guys bombing across, but that makes me too nervous. I really need a goto lure so I can move around and prospect for fish.

[CrappiePappy]

To be honest, I don't think there's any such thing as a "Locator Jig". One must "locate" the fish, first, then offer them various shapes, sizes, and colors to find out what they're wanting at that particular time. That may change in an hour, so you're back to experimenting.

As far as fishing a large lake that one is not overly familiar with, I'd suggest sectioning off portions of it and concentrate your efforts to that chosen section. Picking a section that looks like a section of a more familiar lake is a good way to start.

[Geebee]

Good advice crappiepappy. I used to fly fish and a guy gave me a locator fly. If there was a fish in the water, it would take that fly. I was hoping there was a similar lure for crappie. Oh well. I'll keep looking for fish.

[Eagle 1]

If a locator jig existed , it would be the only one you need . That being said any that weigh enough to cast will cover more ground but might fall to fast to get bit .

[DonF]

Yea the lake is so large it's kind of overwhelming. I've read over around Persanti Island is supposed to be good, but that's clear on the other side of the lake for me. I pick my way across, slowly for now. I see guys bombing across, but that makes me too nervous. I really need a goto lure so I can move around and prospect for fish.

I've only ever fished two places for crappie, Prineville Res and Ochoco Res near Prineville. As for a magic bait, for me it's been 1/16og augur tail jigs. Color just didn't seem to matter much. I have some spots on both that are special for me. One it's weeds growing out of the water and casting near then with a sliding float. The other has been rocky area's again with the sliding float. One time nothing was working so I started you the fish finder and looked for schools in deeper water. Found out to remove the float and drop the jig right down on top of them. This using the fish finder just might work for you.

[Spoonminnow]

Just a few suggestions:
1. gotta find them first
I'd be lost without my old cheap b&w Lowrance sonar. I tells me bottom depth/type/configuration/solid or soft/weeds if present and most important : FISH! Baitfish are usually the first that show - the more the better. Once found, I anchor and cast, cast, cast making sure the lure is at the depth the fish are. As usual, the larger the water, the more difficult it is to find fish - ANY FISH!
Knowing a water means knowing the above which also includes seasonal fish locations.

2. A lure's action-profile matters big time!!
That said, a specific action-profile moves a certain way and is chosen for a few reasons. Example: different spoon shapes have different actions and drop at different speeds. (Compare a Hopkins to a Silver Minnow for example.)
Another example: A curl tail grub has a much different action than a grub where the tail has been removed such as these examples:

The curl tail flutters and flaps and it is retrieved at a steady speed; the no-tail is twitched & paused and can be worked slow and in place. Both are excellent all species / all size fish lures, more versatile than most.
Along with the lure's action-profile, overall lure weight makes a big difference! A 1/4 oz. lure is worked different and moves different than a 1/16 oz. General rule: lighter for shallow water/ heavier for deep.

3. Cold water vs warm water
Fish do bite under the ice, being cold blooded, but only using a vertical lure/presentation. The range of warm-water lures and presentations is huge! It's just a matter of chosing any of a few hundred lures that can get it done.
Note: sonar does initially find fish, but lures are the ultimate fish finders whether in open water or near weeds.

Got a few more suggestions, but don't want to bore more readers than I have already,
(... though sometimes more is best)

[Ketchn]

if you are randomly looking for crappie it will be tough to find em
but that said , if you fan cast likely spots and use a small road runner with a curly tail it might "locate" them .
ask the locals where the best spots are during whatever season you go ....
and also ask them what color works best , someone will let the cat out of the bag is my bet .
luck to ya ....

[skunked again]

This Irresistible Bait Is A Crappie Catching Machine! - YouTube

How To Find Crappie On Any Lake - YouTube