Thread: Driftmaster Best Advice Contest #1522- Ends end of Aug, 2015 - win 8 Crappie Stalkers

Take pictures of your fishing trips so that you can share your memories with others. It's nice to see pictures from the past of family and friends fishing that are no longer with us. The pictures can be passed on for generations to come.

Fishing does not require fast expensive boats or high dollar equipment. Buy what you can afford and when/if you can upgrade, always donate used stuff to the next person as well as some advice you learned along the way. When taking the wife/husband or family, let them do their own thing and do not push your methods if you want them to ever go again.

Fishing doesn't have to be expensive.
- Get a fishing license
- Get an inexpensive rod and reel
- Get a crappie rig, weights and extra hooks
- Tie on the crappie rig to the end of the line, add the weight to the bottom and add an extra hook on the bottom (the extra hook provides more depth opportunities to catch crappie)
- Get some minnows (hook the minnow just below the fin on the back, but not far enough below that you puncture the blood line)
- Use a bobber if fishing from shore or just lower the line straight down if fishing from a dock
- Ask others around you what depth they are fishing -- most everyone will tell you

Then have fun catching whatever bites (having multiple hooks allows for multiple fish to be caught at one time).

Don't try to set hook just lift pole

Fishing is not a lazy mans sport. Get out of bed and go. Be there before daylight to watch all God created come to life. Take time to prepare before a trip. Organize your tackle, check all equipment from outboard to line on reels, be sure batteries are charged, do your research on the body of water and latest reports and most importantly check the weather. While on the water be sure to find a pattern that works. Study the conditions and adapt to what you are given on that day, not what you had last time on the water. If you're not catching change something. Your tactic, depth, color, bait or area. Catching fish is hard work.When a trip is over clean your catch, put everything in its place, clean up the boat, and charge your batteries. You can't catch a fish in bed. Be sure your first on the water and last off if you don't already have a limit. Don't let negativity or excuses keep you off the water. I always love the one "they aren't biting today!" I say put the right food in a fishes face long enough and he will eat. Just like dangling a cheese burger in front of me!

No use, unless chartreuse!

Still chartreuse!

Hire a guide or ask to ride with an old Crappie fisherman(Woman) who has experience and learn one method well and then try another. You can read all you can but learning from a fishing trip will always stay with you. Most folks on Crappie.com will always be willing to help.