Newbie Fishing Around Thick Lilly Pads

[McJiggs]

Hey everyone

So I’m new to crappie fishing. I have a Question regarding fishing around thick Lilly Pads. I fish mostly on a private lake. The lake is covered in thick Lilly pads. About 5-16 feet from the shore, about 3/4 of the lake is covered in them. I have noticed this is where the Crappie tend to hold up. I am using an ultralight spinning set up with a 1/32oz jig head and Bobby Garland Green Banana baby Shad. The Crappie lately seem to bite like crazy on that color. I can cast from the bank and slowly work the edge line. The only problem is when they bite, I have one heck of a time trying to pull them through the Lilly pads. I lose about half of the fish this way. Since I don’t have a boat (slowly saving for one) would a Jigging pole work better? I have a 16ft Shakespeare wonderpole that my wife just bought me. I could pull straight up vertically, as opposed to trying to work the crappie through the thick Lilly pads. What do you guys think? Any other suggestions?

My other question is that most of these Crappie are small. The lake is covered in them. Could their growth be stunted due to overpopulation? And if so would you even bother trying to keep them and fillet them? Last question are these black or white crappie? See the attached picture

[ET Fish]

I would certainly try the long pole. Overpopulation leads to stunted fish is my understanding. That sure looks like a black crappie to me.

["G"]

What he said.

[dhaire]

X3


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[helpme]

I know what your talking about,fishing in heavy lillypads and water shield. Where I fish the water is covered with it there is a few places that is clear. I fish from the bank.I tend to catch brim mostly.It is a challange to keep from getting hung up and not losing all your tackle after just putting it all on and the first cast it gets hung on a tough lilly pad and it will not turn it loose. Ive found,and its hard to do,but as soon as you get a bite set that hook the get that fish as high out of the water as fast as you can.I fish with the tip of my rod pointer more to the surface of the water,then when i get a bite I set the hook and point the tip streight up in the air to get that fish on top of the lillypads and get him to the bank as fast as I can.

I have lost many o bobbers and hooks to the deep probally with fish on them too.I think its a challange,trying to get better at placing my cast right in those very small openings between the lilly pads,
Also if there some big bullfrogs try skipping a hook with some bright colored rag and watch them stalk that bait.Ive just started trying that also...

If any one else fishes in heavy water weeds, and knows how let us know how you do it...

[McJiggs]

That’s what I’m thinking. If I use my 16ft jigging pole and pull up vertically, rather than trying to pull them through the Lilly pads horizontally, Wouldn’t you think that you would stand a better chance of catching more?

[CrappiePappy]

That’s what I’m thinking. If I use my 16ft jigging pole and pull up vertically, rather than trying to pull them through the Lilly pads horizontally, Wouldn’t you think that you would stand a better chance of catching more?

Yes .... yes you would. And you might even want to consider using a weedless jighead.

[helpme]

Yes you are correct about using weedless jigs,but I cant find any weedless hooks that are for live bait does any one have any ideas how to make or get a weedless hook for live bait.I dont mean to hijack this thread but this same problem is happing to me me and im trying to find a soulition also...thanks............

[CrappiePappy]

Yes you are correct about using weedless jigs,but I cant find any weedless hooks that are for live bait does any one have any ideas how to make or get a weedless hook for live bait.I dont mean to hijack this thread but this same problem is happing to me me and im trying to find a soulition also...thanks............

I use the same weedless jigheads for live bait as I do for plastics. If you like a #4 Aberdeen jig hook for live bait, the store shelves are full of various brands, but if you want a #2 Aberdeen in your 1/16oz jighead (or a smaller jighead) then you may have to go to one of our custom jig makers.
If you're talking about making your regular live bait hook "weedless" ... there is a product that could work --- Southern Pro Weed Guards | FishUSA BUT, be advised that these weed guards do have a tendency to tear easily after a few fish, plus they can "bend inwards" which would leave it just a skootch better than not having any guard at all.
There are weedless hooks that are made with a wire loop type of guard. Most of them are made for the Bass boys, but I believe Eagle Claw does make a #2 weedless hook (but a 5pk is ~ $5.00).

[McJiggs]

Tried the 16ft pole today for about 45 minutes. 5 Crappies hooked, 5 Crappies landed. The pole pulled them straight up through the Lilly pads. Worked like a charm! I’m really starting to love Crappie Fishing! I think I’m hooked (pun intended).