I agree with you Shipahoy, and I will say Hi to Ernest for ya.
It took 2 years of gettin' whooped by the big boys to make me realize
that, during a tourney, you gotta do some things that you don't like.
I've been very observant of others and saw myself in them when they
restricted themselves by saying stuff like "I only fish single line jigs on trees".
I also fought using the 3 ways and all the hardware.
I'm not saying this is a system someone should use every time you go out.
Just that this is my system I came up with that will usually put 4x as many fish
in the boat than the other methods.
LBM
You also bring us another good point.
They do come to sound & movement.
I bounce that weight on crossbeams, brush and just on the mud.
Folks think I'm kidding when I say I make them bite.
You can make them mad by making noise & when you feel them rubbing on
your lure, jiggle it just enough to tick them off to bite it.
In cold weather like this they do just come up to it and hold it in their mouth.
No movement, not hungry, but just like me and buttermilk pies they just can't resist
putting it in their mouth.
Stumpy
I just went to BPS and restocked for next year.
#4 three ways
#2 Split Rings
#2 Fastlock Snaps
and either 1/4, 3/8 or 1/2 oz sinkers depending on the wind.
90% of the time 3ft off the bottom.
in deep cold they will be on the bottom so I go to 18".
Ps
I use baitcasters 1/2 full of cheap mono and tie on 50ft of braid on top.
No use wasting money.
Hey, I can't sit here and claim I just know all this stuff.
I have learned more in 3 years with my club than you can imagine.
It's not just more Texas braggin' here.
We have a club that has something going for it.
I pestered them to start filming our meetings and they listened after the 1st year.
You can see short versions on YouTube but if you join, you can see them all on the clubs website. Good deal for $25.
We have over 300 members all over the states now.
Even CrappieMasters is coming down to give us a run this summer at Fork.
Crappie Anglers of Texas.
Thanks to all for your feedback.
Like Red-Greens says "We're all in this together".