I went from catching nothing to getting my limit every time by doing this.

[Crappie Vermonster]

Ive fished many times with bolth and can say fore me plastic baits work better but thats me. Most of the people I know dont use minnows because of the bait laws in VT you can only bring them to one lake and you have to dump them if you leave the lake. They have changed it so now you can keep them fore 48 hours but on the same lake. So I bring them with me alittle more this year. If I am night fishing minnows rule but if I dont have them glow in the dark plastic jigs under a bobber work to. My best producers are gulp alive 1" minnows / powerbait 2" minnows great on clear water lakes and bobby garland scent wigglers you can take pieces off to fit the size the fish are biteing. So I guess im trying to say is dont rule out the minnowes just yet and dont thinck one jig or lure will always work every time I fish its alittle differnt

[chulai1968]

The main meal of all fish is other fish.

[EnonEye]

Numerous times I've pulled up next to minnow fisherman and started pulling the, up right and left while their bite is slow. Cheers from Ohio.

Sooo... that must have been you that pay-laked my spot the minute I pulled up and left last Saturday after releasing all my slabs back huh?
Seriously, minnows definately have their spots they shine, like at night in the fall, but jigs are much more rewarding and fun IMHO. Maybe someday I can jump on board and say I catch more on plastic but I'm still getting there. That's why I love fishing the craps so much, it's a great challenge to find them consistently in different types of lakes and weather.Welcome from Springfield.

[genec]

I fish jigs all season ,in my experience I have carried friends with me who had minnows and on those days the jig was much better than minnows,I would let them fish a while in one spot then I would throw jig there and catch their fish,did it many times ,but can,t tell you on other days that they did not fish but did change many over to jigs. I always said a good single pole jig fishermen out fish a single pole fishermen most of the time ,he also moves more to go to the fish rather than fish coming to him. Not all but most minnow fishermen that fish minnows are not good jig fishermen, it takes a lot of skill and cannot have minnows as a backup plan,I am not trying to say jig fishermen are better at fishing ,but on one pole many have mastered the jig that takes a long time to master to catch fish on a daylie basic,however fishing is for pleasure and the way one likes best is what he should do. I fish jigs in cold weather when minnows suppose to be better but even if I catch a few less I am please because I just love that tick or line jump or move and you do it with minnows because you like to see that cork or rod tip go down ,so I say whatever please you than enjoy it, I will come behind you and catch fish and you will come behind me and do the same,have a good and Godly fishing day ,thank The Lord he gave us crappies and other fish to enjoy

[Cmj]

This is only my second year crappie fishing, last year I struggled big time. Using minnows barely caught anything. This year I am getting my limit almost every time by doing one thing. I switched to twister tail crappie jigs. It seems to me they are way easier to catch. Numerous times I've pulled up next to minnow fisherman and started pulling the, up right and left while their bite is slow. To all crappie noobs from a crappie noob, ditch the minnows switch to a jig.

Cheers from Ohio.

I'm a little confused when you say, "Using minnows barely caught anything." Now you are using a miracle jig that loads the boat every time out? What are you doing different, besides using the jigs? From this statement, it sounds like you are claiming that minnows don't catch fish? It sounds to me like something has clicked for you and you are starting to figure them out. Is this a recent discovery, say within the last couple of months? I would be interested to find out how this method is working for you in a few months. You will likely have to change your strategy when they go deep for the summer, then deeper in the winter. That is when minners really shine for me, especially in the deeper lakes. I have experienced the same scenario you mentioned, about pulling up to a spot and outfishing the other guys. BUT, sometimes I was using minnows and they were using jigs. One time, we were all using the exact same jig, and I wore them out and they couldn't buy a bite. There have also been times when I was the one getting schooled by someone else and I wished I had minnows. I hope your new method holds out, but it is not likely to. In Crappie fishing, you have to be versatile.

[beagle man]

he just sounded like a self promoting up and coming jig salesman.

[20watt]

One sure way to fire folks up is to lambast minners...

I fish jigs mostly but will take some minners from time to time, both have their place i reckon....

Can someone explain this to me?? How does a man fish with two poles drifting around in open water fishing the same depth, same jig and same line on each pole and one pole be smoking the fish and the other pole be doing nothing

[Taylorx2]

I spider rig minners almost every time I fish, just my way of doing things. I know jigs catch fish, but how many National Championships have been won on jigs???Just saying

[Cane Pole]

Minnners work. Ask Ronnie Capps.

Me, well I don't care way bait I catch with, including jigs.

[genec]

A National Championship with 16 rods is not a fair match to what is said about one rod jig with one rod minnow,I know you will say well he can use 16 jigs but that not allowing a good fishermen to use his skill with rod in hand. Many minnow fishermen are great fishermen but most do not understand jig fishing, I agree though ,a few trips on the water with jig or minnow will not having you master fishing, he will learn soon its just not that simple ,not even for those who fish a life time, some days you will see the fish out smarted you