There was a 2 year span where a good bud and I traveled the Texas roads heavily year round . He had formulated a plan to be able to ketch a crappie dinner on any lake any time of the year .
We had no shame and often took a dozen with us ,many times it mattered and yet on some trips it did not . When I used to educate folks in the art of fill the livewell it was ALWAYS bring a dozen minnows . My agenda on those trips was to ensure fish on their line .
I didn't care how they managed to bring crappie up from the down below as long as they did .
Of course I promoted fresh "cut" minnows on the tip of a jig .Whole minnows are easily "plucked" off by crappie in lots of cases . I have a few buds that to this day carry a small knife ,a small cutting board and about a dozen real happy minnows to be chopped and placed on jigs as tippers .
sum kawl me tha outlaw ketchn whalesSKs Crappie Catching Adventures, hdhntr LIKED above post
I love to use minnow imitations made with soft plastic. Add some "Slab Sauce" and you have everything you need.
1) More durable than a minnow
2) Will last and fish longer than a minnow
3) Fished correctly on a loop knot will give you the action of a minnow
4) Fantastic size of 1.5 inches is appealing to all fish
5) Can be made in more colors than a minnow
and besides all that....
I have more confidence in them...especially this one..."KABOOM"
Mike
Aquatic Species Removal Engineer.
May God be with you. Keep CALM and STAY ANCHORED with your faith.
SuperDave336 LIKED above postKetchn thanked you for this post
it's about putting fish in the livewell and while I am predominately a jig guy there are times when they want MEAT! I rarely buy them but have a few "minnow boy" buds who insist on using them and yes I usually smoke em. BUT couple weeks back we were on a new smaller lake that had one school of crappie we found and they wanted MEAT and my bud smoked me after I used a jig and minnow trailer to find them. After that he caught 10 in a row with minnows while I was sticking with just my jig. But not being a snob I switched and immediately started whacking them as well, one after another. we ran out quickly and when down to a handful started cutting them up into thirds and they liked that even more. So it's like ole King Richard Bowling the guide says he is paid to put fish in the livewell and always has a couple of pounds with him on his boat and he will use what works.
back in the spring I was smoking this same guy with his stubborn insistance on using minnows while I had almost a full limit of Bigun's with my jig. over three days I was ketchn lots more than he was but if someone has them in the boat I will add a trailer if it slows down or if they are really hot on them and we have enough will use them. why not?
as for those who are proud of never having used them? sorry dudes you have missed out on some fine days as there are times when they want minnows no doubt but that's your choice.
Live minnows aren't legal in Oregon but in the summer if you see a dead crappie fry floating dip net it and send it down on some good structure. FISH ON!
If I am going to set up and put the lights out. I am definitely using minnows. They can swim around and do there thing. If I get bored I can grab a pole with a jig on it and give that a whirl.
The love for fishing is one of the best gifts you can pass along