Starting Lineup for next trip out

[BobC]

1/2 limit or not those were some nice fish. Interesting report.
Bob

[skiptomylu]

Just an FYI, when I am tying Roadrunners and such I use blade size #0 and for 1/16 I use size #1 and size #2 for 1/8 Oz baits. Anything larger especially on the smaller one will make the bait turn over as it swims. With a Willow Leaf you could probably get away with a #1 on a 1/32 or 1/24 Oz head if you wanted to.

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[cgc1productions]

You should inspect the bat jig version on your next trip out. Perhaps the forward jig eye position would allow the bait to swim closer to horizontal. Again, of course you’d be making concessions from your preferred design.


Sent from my iPad using Crappie.com

[DrNip]

Not trying to send you down another rabbit hole but have you tried a propeller instead of blade? Probably require a bead or two to pull it off.

[Micanopy]

Thank you gentlemen. All good suggestions and advice.

The Bat Jog version may be just what I need to do. However I made up these already and I want to fish this weekend and don’t have time to make up new jigs.

BTW- I have skipped baking my jig heads and have noticed zero differences. I just hold the jig over the heat gun for a few seconds after painting and done. The paint stays put. I mean I am not smashing them onto concrete to test the paint, but the hardest item they encounter is a fish’s mouth.

So I decided to make some adjustments to my spread. I decided that it might be important for every jig to have the exact same swivel setup and the same blade. This should ensure that as goes one, they go all. Each turning at the same speed. From there I will swim one from up front, down alongside to the back of the boat, and observe it’s performance from there. Then adjust my speed according to what I see.


I understand that different plastic baits will affect the jig’s attitude as well, but at least this will be a good starting point.

My lakes are shallow affairs with me typically fishing in about 7 feet of water. This is very helpful as it eliminates the need to make wild guesses ( I mean exacting computations based on expensive chartings and such ) to ascertain exact depths. I never believed any of that stuff as there are far far too many variables involved. Anyways I will simply use three different head sizes- 1/16th, 1/8th, and 3/16th oz to test differing depths. From there also adjust amount of line out on a trial and error basis to discover what they want. Usually I fish the lighter jigs on longer lines anyways, and the heaviest right in tight to the boat.

Speaking of in tight to the boat, last trip had zero bites in close. Saw one little nibble and nothing else. Usually these rods account for a goodly portion of the take. So the fish are indeed fickle as I predicted them to be. I missed those bites as they are by far the most exciting. Big splash right next to me and I clamor to get rod in hand.



I have Colorado blades that are too large and too small. Have Willow leaf blades that are too large and too small. Have some Indiana blades that appear to be a good size, so I am using those for my testing.



Top left is 3/16th, top right 1/16th, and bottom pair are 1/8th oz and I shall see what happens when they swim. I was careful in trying to get the plastic onto the hook just so and tossed several attempts in the trash. Why use something that is just gonna spin ? Tricky to do, and there seems to be no specific method that produces great results every time.



So this weekend might see me out there catching fish and it might see me sitting in the boat thinking some more. Last time out an old man managed to cut in front of me and he hollered out a hurried apology. I altered course and suggested the fault was mine. He said his trolling motor sucked something or other. I laughed and asked if he was spinning about wildly, and he replied he was. I told him to lower his engine back into the water and let it act like a rudder. He did and hollered back thanks it worked. The man had a top dollar TM too from what I saw. Said he was just starting out. Asked for advice and I yelled don’t buy minnows. I think he will make out fine if he sticks with it.




On an unrelated note to jigs and fishing, I was finally accepted into the fishing club yesterday. As I was cooking crappie, both filets and headless with skin on versions, they called for a vote as to whether or not to accept me into the club, and it looked unanimous from where I was. I turned and shouted out a big thank you. I noted that the average age of the membership plummeted from around 117 years old down to about 96.

I listened as they discussed the budget and coming events and matters involving club stuff and such. They like to vote a lot. I raised my hand once to vote, but I don’t think it was noticed as I was kind of away from the group, slaving over a hot bowl of grease. Still it was nice to get that all behind me and they gave me my official hat.



Sorry picture is just gonna have to remain sideways. Newest member and I didn’t have to oath or dance for anyone. They plan to have their big saltwater tourney soon and that interests me not in the least as it is over in the Gulf and if you do not know where you are going it is very easy to rip apart a brand new engine. Besides they fish it all the time and I would have no chances to win any prize monies. Not sure of when the next “speck” tourney will be but I hope to enter that one.

Besides crappie we had Oscars from the Everglades, a completely invasive fish that has decimated the natural fish population by gobbling up their fry like popcorn. We had Gator meat, unclear if it was tail meat but probably was not as it seemed kind of chewy. Might not have been properly prepared though. I was told you either cook it low heat for a long time or cut it small and fry it fast. One old guy was making hush puppies and they were very good. I had never had anything quite like it. Coleslaw was good and I actually put some on my plate because it was COLD. Deserts were puddings and pies, and the men started clearing out after we finished. I of course stayed to help put away and clean up. They said that most of the members just show up, eat and split.

Once again thank you for the suggestions and advice.

[DockShootinJack]

That's a mighty nice looking official hat

[BobC]

That's a mighty nice looking official hat

That is a good looking hat. I have a friend that is a physicist and he always quotes that “nothing beats a good theory like a good experiment”. Soooo, that said keep tinkering and see what works, Micanopy. Always interesting to see the results.
Bob

[DrNip]

Ahh finally made it into the club that you’ve worked so hard at getting into. Congrats! How many folks are in this club? Might just be me and how I interpreted your posts over time but seems like this club snubs you and I would imagine other new folks often which I question why anyone would want to be a part of??? You’re making mighty fine jigs and putting plenty fish in the boat.

[Micanopy]

Ahh finally made it into the club that you’ve worked so hard at getting into. Congrats! How many folks are in this club? Might just be me and how I interpreted your posts over time but seems like this club snubs you and I would imagine other new folks often which I question why anyone would want to be a part of??? You’re making mighty fine jigs and putting plenty fish in the boat.

It was founded in 1947 by muckidy mucks and fancy pants types. East side Garden Club and yet it is a fishing club. They thought it was a funny played on their wives.

I would say 50 members perhaps. Unsure as many do not show for meetings. I’m guessing we had 30 yesterday.

I am grateful to be a part of the group and look forward to participating in the events,

[skiptomylu]

Love the hat, because I love some Hydrilla! Here we need it to make a comeback!

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