Short strikes

[NIMROD]

I know you dont believe in nibbles, but they have stopped short strikes for me numerous times when the bite is light or finicky.

Even tried those given to me at camp. Guys last year I caught tons of fish this time of year. I use good rods, Bucks and Ozarks. Even the spiderriggers catches seem to be off this time. Was just wanting to hear what everyone else suggests , thanks. I still catch good numbers but missing more bites
than hook ups.

[20watt]

Nimrod, i've had the same problem lately. Most of the time i'm fishing an 1/8th head with a mid south tube, nibbles don't seem to help one way or the other, downsizing hasn't helped with missed strikes either

I know some of these strikes are Gar but not all of them

[ScottV]

Usually I jig fish myself but during the summer I pull and push crankbaits. I've noticed that when the crappie are not actively feeding, they will slap at the crankbait like they are just wanting to injure a baitfish. When this happens, your rod will jump like you're getting a strike but they are not getting hooked. What fish you do catch when this is happening are usually foul hooked in the back or gills. Things usually improve when that magical alarm goes off under the water and feeding starts again. Maybe that's what you're incountering.

[Meat on the Table]

I never go without jigs, but then again, I never go without minnows.

[toofuss]

If you pour your own heads find a supplier that stocks the eagle claw long shank hooks. I have only ever seen them in round bends but they do help

[Turtlebait]

I too have run into the short strikes and have learned another way of catching a few short strikers.I cast 1/32 and when a short strike happens I pick up another rod with a beetle spin with a 3 in. Curly tail and make the same cast as the short strike came from.I may catch 2 or 3 that way but no more b/c they spook easy.The beetle spin has to drop meaning reeling and stopping for it to drop a few inches.When the hit comes reel them in slow and be ready b/c they either drop off at the boat are in it.

[Donald@CrappieLogic]

I down size to a 32nd or a 64th hair jig works for me

[warmouth]

I was going to say the same thing Don. Shooting docks with 1/32 or 1/64 drab color jigs, olive, brown, or black. Cast it up in a boat slip and just watch the line as it slowly falls. When the line stops you have a fish or made it to the bottom. I do this when the bite gets tough midday.

[NIMROD]

I down size to a 32nd or a 64th hair jig works for me

Too hard to fish small jigs in open water over cover fishing 8' or so in the wind. Today was different they smacked it and caught a quick limit just no slabs.

[river scum]

stuff a crappie nibble up your tube. lil sent mite make a difference, helps me sometimes.