Line weight for my own crappie rigs

**mikeski** · 02-18-2016, 10:47 PM

My first real setup was a Mitchell 330 with a 7' Garcia rod (1970). Dad put 6# test on that reel. It never had line any heaver than that on it. We fished the lakes and rivers of Michigan for 10 years. If the Northern's were biting we would use some steel though.

I been showing Matt the ins and outs of 6 and 4 lb test on spinning tackle. He rocked a 5# LMB on 4# UL setup last year. I did the same. We fish for crappie and perch and there is the occasional by catch bass or cat out there to test us.

Anyone can catch a fish with a decent drag, 10#+ test and lift them into the boat. With light tackle it's a battle. If I mess up I learn. If I win I get a great picture and know it stretched my line. I won't be lifting a line tester with the rod either. A good net is in order.

I been thinking about 2# for crappie. Anyone fishing that light?? When your on a drop there's nothing for the fish to tangle in. It's just open water. Inquiring minds and all that...

Matt and I will see some of you Saturday....

Mike

**Crewmax42** · 02-19-2016, 08:00 AM

I once caught a five pound striper on four pound test. I was lucky I was under a bridge in about sixty feet of water ( not in this state!) . It took me about twenty minutes to get him tired enough to bring up. This was on ultralight tackle, I took my 4 1/2 ft. trout rod on a shakedown cruise with my buddy who'd just re-built his motor. He was messing around under the cowling and I dropped a small chartreuse jig down to kill time. Stren 4# test and it was brand new line. It was fun fun. Shakey leg fun.

Mattski-I would love to fish 2#, but my hands and eyes don't agree! If you're thinking about visibility, you might try flourocarbon.

**chief** · 02-19-2016, 08:19 AM

Let me turn this up side down. I use 20 lb orange braided Sufix. It's the same diameter as 6 lb mono, easy to see, hard to break (Use scissors or a knife), doesn't kink in cold weather. Fish don't care and it don't break when you lift that occasional 14' crappie into the boat.

**mikeski** · 02-19-2016, 09:05 AM

Originally Posted by Crewmax42

Mattski-I would love to fish 2#, but my hands and eyes don't agree! If you're thinking about visibility, you might try flourocarbon.

Ya, it's thin and harder to see. At least for us ;-). It's more of the fun aspect for me. Can I do it? Are my skills honed enough? I do know that everything needs to be right. Good knot, clean line and all the other things too.

mike

**trypman1** · 02-19-2016, 09:56 AM

8# on my trollers and 4# on my spinning reels.

**Crewmax42** · 02-20-2016, 07:55 AM

I worry about those details, too, but, then my 14 year old son (casual fisherman) will tie on the most awful looking terminal tackle (plastic worm haphazardly skewered on a crappie hook) and he'll out-catch everyone!

**Will C** · 02-25-2016, 07:47 PM

Originally Posted by chief

Let me turn this up side down. I use 20 lb orange braided Sufix. It's the same diameter as 6 lb mono, easy to see, hard to break (Use scissors or a knife), doesn't kink in cold weather. Fish don't care and it don't break when you lift that occasional 14' crappie into the boat.

Man, a 14' crappie?

What kinda jig were you using? And how big was your boat?

**Fish2eat** · 02-26-2016, 08:02 AM

Forget the line, jig and boat. I am not giving anyone a hard time that lifts a 14' fish of any kind.

My hero!

**hunter** · 02-26-2016, 08:50 AM

Originally Posted by mac crappie

You'll be there one day if you act right lol and watch the company you hang around with

Thread: Line weight for my own crappie rigs

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