Dropshot rig for crappies?

[Just_Bass]

I dropshot for crappie before but I use what I know best “bass fishing technique” hook connect to main line with palomar knot. Now I have read quite a few especially on vertical jigging rig where a lot of ppl prefer to have a little bit of line out from main line to hook. What would you prefer for drop shot?
how about hook? Live bait hook, octopus hook or circle hook? I do have some of these in size 6 and 8.

[ad1974]

I use a size 2 or 4 Aberdeen extralight wire hook tied on with a loopknot

[CrappiePappy]

I don't "dropshot" (Crappie or Bass) so I'd probably buy TTI Blakemore's Stand-out Hook in a #4 or #2 size (depending on size of bait I intended to use). I'd probably use a 1/4oz casting sinker on the bottom and place the Stand-out hook about 18-24" up the line. A nose hooked Hot Rod or Shad body from Slabanator Jigs would be my choice of plastic bait.

I say "I don't dropshot" for Crappie, because around here the Crappie are rarely close to the bottom in a area devoid of cover, and when they are ... they seem to always have a serious case of "unh uh, I ain't biting that" (aka - lockjaw).

[Just_Bass]

I don't "dropshot" (Crappie or Bass) so I'd probably buy TTI Blakemore's Stand-out Hook in a #4 or #2 size (depending on size of bait I intended to use). I'd probably use a 1/4oz casting sinker on the bottom and place the Stand-out hook about 18-24" up the line. A nose hooked Hot Rod or Shad body from Slabanator Jigs would be my choice of plastic bait.

I say "I don't dropshot" for Crappie, because around here the Crappie are rarely close to the bottom in a area devoid of cover, and when they are ... they seem to always have a serious case of "unh uh, I ain't biting that" (aka - lockjaw).

I feel you, this evening crappie trend to stay on top about 4’ from surface, I tried to hop along bottom with no bite. Saw some shad running hole my rod still I got bite right away at about 4-6’. Manage only 5 crappies with 1.5 gram jig head. I might have to give 1 grams jig head a try next so I can stay on strike zone longer. I hope my equipment can handle this such light lure.
What weight jig head, do you normally use for cast and reel? Would Zman swimZ 2.5” work for such slow presentation?

[CrappiePappy]

I feel you, this evening crappie trend to stay on top about 4’ from surface, I tried to hop along bottom with no bite. Saw some shad running hole my rod still I got bite right away at about 4-6’. Manage only 5 crappies with 1.5 gram jig head. I might have to give 1 grams jig head a try next so I can stay on strike zone longer. I hope my equipment can handle this such light lure.
What weight jig head, do you normally use for cast and reel? Would Zman swimZ 2.5” work for such slow presentation?

Normally, if they're that shallow I would use a 1/32oz Road Runner w/Indiana blade for a slow retrieve & hold the rod at the 10-11o:clock position. A boot tail body (or swim bait body) on a 1/16oz jighead will ride higher in the water when retrieved at a slow to moderate pace, if you keep the rod held high. It will likely cast farther, as well.
You know your waters & fish, and whether they prefer a small bait or larger bait ... so go with what works for you.

I use Slabanator Booty Tails (2in long) ... and they get bit by Crappie of all sizes ... so the 2.5" Zman swimbait should work OK.

[Just_Bass]

Thanks, again CP, you help a lot. I’ll try 1/32oz jig head today just got the shipment yesterday. I’ll order 1/32oz roadrunner next. How about 1/16 marabou roadrunner top with trout worm, would it stay on top? The way I fish it by count to 4 reel slow and lift the rod to 11:00 wait on the drop that when I got hit the most.
I already checked slabnator selection and like a lot of them, will order soon since one of the baby shad look like the one I got from a friend and work really well here. Is this the same?

[CrappiePappy]

Thanks, again CP, you help a lot. I’ll try 1/32oz jig head today just got the shipment yesterday. I’ll order 1/32oz roadrunner next. How about 1/16 marabou roadrunner top with trout worm, would it stay on top? The way I fish it by count to 4 reel slow and lift the rod to 11:00 wait on the drop that when I got hit the most.
I already checked slabnator selection and like a lot of them, will order soon since one of the baby shad look like the one I got from a friend and work really well here. Is this the same?

A 1/16oz Road Runner head with plastic body attached will work fine fished that way. You just have to use a plastic body shape that's thin enough in the core of the body, so as not to interfere with the blade spinning.

There are many, many different makers of the "shad body" shaped plastics. I like Slabanators for several reasons ... made by a friend, soft but tough product, and I can order a custom color combo that's not commercially available.

That color in a Slabanator Shad would be the "Sunshine" color, from what I can tell from the picture. Whether or not it's a Slabanator product, you'd have to ask your friend.

Your pictured fish looks to be a male Black Crappie that's been doing some serious bed fanning (if they're spawning there, now) or else escaped from a predator. Also in your picture it appears that you have the jig hooked in the guide eye of your rod. If so, that can be problematic !! The barb can scratch the inner portion of the guide or insert & that can lead to line problems over time. Best to hook the jig in the hook retainer (if your rod has one) ... and if it don't, then hook it around the "foot" of the guide, rather than thru the eye of the guide.

And congrats on a beast of a Black Crappie