Wildcatting to Catch More Crappie - by Brad Wiegmann

The technique of long lining on some days just loads the boat with crappie. Everyone loves to fish when crappie are biting, but some days you just cannot get a crappie to bite when long lining lures. On those days when crappie will not bite utilizing the technique of wildcatting when long lining crankbaits will get you more bites.



B'n'M' Poles pro staffer Bernard Williams and Don Terry are experts when it comes to catching crappie when long lining, however, it's the wildcatting technique that often puts crappie in the boat when no other technique will catch them. Both members of the Magnolia Crappie Club, largest and oldest crappie fishing club in the United States, know the benefits of wildcatting. "Over the years wildcatting technique has been our go to technique when crappie just don't want to bite," said Williams.

When fishing in crappie tournaments, Williams and Terry work as a team to catch crappie. "Part of our success over the years is how fast we can get the rods ready and lures in the water. It makes a big difference when you figure up how much more fishing time you get by working quickly as a team," said Williams.



One thing helping them keep the rods from tangling or snagging in Williams' boat is Driftmaster (www.driftmaster.com) Rod Resters. They can be quickly attached to an existing Driftmaster rod holder and keep fishing rods in a vertical position while fishing or moving to the next spot.

While setting out six rods with multiple lures can be challenging and even trickier to keep separate. Williams and Terry rely on rod length and what rod holders they put them in to keep them from tangling.



"On the front of the boat on each side, we put two 16-foot B'n'M' Poles (www.bnmpoles.com) Roger Grant's The Difference rods or 18-foot Pro Staff Trolling Rods because they have a enough flex to not pull the lure out of the crappie's mouth. If it's windy, we many use 14-foot model. The shorter rod helps keep the bow out of the line, but if that's not working we may go to using planer boards to keep the line from tangling," said Terry. Working their way back, Williams and Terry will use 8-foot or 9-foot B'n'M' Poles Roger Grant's The difference rods to keep the line from tangling along with having a flexible tip.

Williams and Terry like the Pro Staff Trolling Rods because the medium action rod has a good sensitive tip. "Personally, I like the B'n'M' Poles three piece fishing pole because it's easier to get in and out of a rod box," said Williams.

Using multiple 1/16-ounce and 1/32-ounce horse head lures rigged on 6-pound high vis fishing line with a Bobby Garland Stroll'R or Swimming Minnow, Williams and Terry will tie a three loop knot on the bottom lure and a two loop knot on the top lure. Normally, the top jig will weigh more than the bottom jig. "The top lure is just a teaser most of the time. It's like a teaser to get crappie to bite even if they are suspended or inactive," said Terry.

To set out the rods, Williams and Terry make a cast out about 60- to 70-feet then do two or three swipes. The rods are ready to be set in rod holders after casting them out.

"Long lining is a presentation you can use almost year round. Normally, we will long line river ledges and it can be done in any river or lake. Often we will target areas with stumps or brush piles where crappie will suspend or be chasing shad," said Williams.

Typically when long lining, Williams and Terry will troll fast then slow down if they can't get any reaction strikes. They will also try wildcatting to incite crappie to bite.

Wildcatting is when the boat is steered in a back and forth S-pattern. The back and forth S-pattern lifts one side the boat up while dropping the other down. It gives the lures a lifelike action drawing strikes from even suspending crappie.

"We never just go straight when long lining. Instead, wildcatting lets us mimic a dying baitfish, minnow or shiner," said Terry.

Marine electronics play a major part in wildcatting for Williams and Terry. Williams has three fishfinders/GPS units including a Lowrance HDS Gen 2 with StructureScan and two Garmin units with DownVu and SideVu. All of the units are within reach of Williams or Terry.

"Mapping and making a trail on my Lowrance unit allows me the ability to see where I have been and what direction to go. It also makes it easier to see my S-pattern; in addition to see how fast we are going since crappie like the lures traveling at .9- to 1-mph ," said Williams.

Although weaving in an S-pattern may seem a little strange when crappie fishing, Williams and Terry believe it is one of the best ways to catch crappie some days. Wildcatting keeps several of the lures always in the strike zone resulting in extra strikes and catching more crappie.