What am I doing wrong?

[olddude]

WOW, thanks guys for the feedback. I fish Lake Ft. Smith, Dardenelle, and Lee Creek Reservoir and below that dam to the Arkansas River. I have not tried to stay very close to others who are fishing, always thought that might cause some conflict. The guide idea may be in the near future, have thought of that often. There is one guy that goes to Lake Ft. Smith very often who hauls them in so will try to get him to take me. I will keep on going and trying what I read on this site and others. I will catch some, I am sure. Thanks again guys.

[skeetbum]

A lot of good info, and I agree about the guide. If you sre polite and don't invade their space, some folks will help you a lot. If I had to pay for the help I've been given I would be eating candy bars for the rest of my life. One thing that most folks do when they're learning is they fish too fast. Slow down til you think you're going slow, then slow down some more. I catch a lot of my fish while the jig is falling without any retrieve. Keep us posted, and bring on the questions.

[sac-a-lait]

when in doubt, go dark or pink with the lightest amount of weight possible to give the bait a natural fall. Use hi-vis line so you can see the bite. Learn to set the hook QUICK. If you feel anything touch the bait, set the hook as the fish didn't pick it up with his hand. If he has it, he has it right where you want it.

[gone_fishing]

I fish in the northern states but have seen time and again where people don't catch, I am pulling them in one after the other, they try and get as close as they can, fish all around my boat but still don't catch fish. The fish can be very finicky at times and I can usually see why they aren't catching fish. They are using too big of a float (bobber) and too big of fishing line, it looks like rope compared to my 2 lb test line,and 1/32 oz jig, and they are using to big of bait/hook/jig. On my rig with 2lb line a 1/32 oz, or even a 1/64 oz jig and a 1bb split shot, 2 bb's would make the float go under. Little things can make all the difference.

absolutely the same thing happened to me a few weeks ago I had four boats following me around. Presentation can be a big thing too if your using artificial. They may want it jigged a lot or not at all or they may want it swam through the water columns. They may want a twister tail or a tube. They may want a specific color or size.

[Ken Jones]

Wow, Olddude there is some good advice the fellows have given to you. Presentation is the key. Slow retrieve is very good advice. You should do okay your next trip out. Good luck and welcome to the crappie.com sight.

[slider1]

catching crappie is a challenge. I think you need to learn your electronics, unless the fish are on the bank you fishfinder is the second most important piece of equipment next to your fishing rod.
after you learn to identify the difference between crappie and bait fish on your fishfinder, you need to pick one type of method of catching them....IE...jigs,minnows, then take one of these and rig up a couple rods with two different technique. say a jig... 1/16th hair jig , a 1/16th jighead w/a grub. take these locate the fish on the depthfinder and put it about a foot above there depth. keep trying different presentation and colors. master these lures and techniques before moving to something else, have confidence in what ever you try. good luck, just don't quit you will get it.

[Midsouth Man]

OD _ I would be willing to share a trip with you. Please let me know where you are from in Arkansas or call me at 501-231-3374. Look forward to hearing from you.