Anyone else losing em at the boat?

[searchn4crappie]

Believe they're 6. Should I go smaller or bigger? Thanks.

[SKs Crappie Catching Adventures]

Set Tha Hook..... Don't play with'um....

[CrappiePappy]

Believe they're 6. Should I go smaller or bigger? Thanks.

I've never used a hook smaller than a #4 on any jig I've thrown specifically for Crappie, with hair/feathers or plastics <1.5" long. I moved up to a #2 hook when I started using plastics in the 2" & above lengths. And for the last 30+ years I've used weedless jigheads of various styles & brands. (for casting purposes)
While I do "normally" stick the fish in the roof of the mouth area, there have been occasions where I set the hook a bit on the "quick" side or the fish wasn't fully committed and was just "mouthing" the jig ... and I have hooked them in the lips/membrane area. On a few of those occasions the jig was hung on the hard outer lip & the membrane was torn open pretty good ... to the point where slack or the fish thrashing about could have caused the jig to come loose from the fish. But, with the weedguard being there & blocking a section of the gap between the jighead & hook point ... it was less likely to be as easily thrown from the fish's mouth.
Mind you, I wasn't specifically watching for this to happen, it was just a quick observation on a few fish over the years & stuck with me as another "pro" to using weedless jigs. I can't actually remember the last time I had a fish get off when using the weedless jigs I currently use. (1/16oz ball head - #2 Aberdeen hook - Y guard weed guard ... custom made by a member of this site)

[searchn4crappie]

Are you using braided line or mono?

Mono.

[SeaRay]

Its called... Use a Landing Net.. a long one.... with those small jigs... crappie mouths will tear off...especially if you let them flip in the water... keep them in the water... till you get them close enough to net them... dont try to pull them in the boat... it just doesnt work that way... the bigger they are... the more careful you have to be.... good luck

This is the only logical anwer. I know guys claim they flip in the boat no problem but nothing is more fool proof. Only time I lift one with rod is when i hope he gets off by himself.

[GreenLine]

If your rods have a lot of flex and a real whippy tip it’s hard to swing them in the boat.
A sensitive rod with a good spine will land more fish.
I use a net when I’m after a good mess to clean.




Sent from my iPhone using Crappie.com

[SeaRay]

One tip on using a net that is sometimes overlooked is the technique. I learned this the fast and hard way fishing for fresh sea run salmon in Oregon from a smaller private boat. If at all possible put the net in the water and swim the fish into it.
Thrashing around trying to scoop a fish will cause a panic and run the chance of a hook fouling in the net. I use a rubber mesh net. It eliminates about 90% of the hassle of entangling hooks and lures.
Hope this helps.

[rawr215]

many times, i lose em at the kayak. i hardly net as well... i think i should consider one!

[deathb4disco]

Thrashing around trying to scoop a fish will cause a panic and run the chance of a hook fouling in the net. I use a rubber mesh net. It eliminates about 90% of the hassle of entangling hooks and lures.

Listen to the man. ^^^^

[Grainraiser]

I seldom use a net for crappie. For me the key is not to hesitate when you get them to the surface. Bring them into the boat with one sweeping motion. Any hesitation will cause them to flop and throw the hook on a slack line.