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http://www.magnoliacrappieclub.com/a...longlining.pdf
This article has probably been posted on CDC before but for those who have not seen it I think you will find it helpful. On page 6 of the article there is a trolling depth chart that seems to be pretty accurate.
Thank you.
Great read Jay!!! I tried something different the other day. The fish were suspended from 20 ft to 30 ft deep in water as deep 50 ft. I decided to try and pull triple 1/16 oz jigs. It was a very slow day but I did catch some on this rig. I will give it another try the next time out.
Thanks for posting that Hotwater. It should be very helpful to a lot of new crappie fishers and the Jig Depth is very useful.
Lots of variance in those depths....ex: 4' to 8' deep? You still need to get your lines out and troll towards shallower waters to SEE where your jigs will hit bottom. Then you will KNOW how deep theyre running and then you will be able to put them in the fishes faces when you see them holding at a constant depth on the sonar. ;)
I agree Gabowman, a lot of variances and not very accurate. Good info and some bad. Definitely bad idea to put rods up at the angle in the picks to longline. You really have to make your own chart for your set up but this is somewhere to start.
Just my :twocents...Be consistent with your tackle (jig heads and split shot sinkers). I only use Litewirehooks. This doesn't mean I always fish with a light wire hook. Litewirehooker's jig heads (whether light wire hooks, black platinum or sickle hooks) are consistent in weight so I know how much weight I have on my line. I also only use Water Gremlin split shot sinkers if I use a sinker. What I am saying is know the weights of your jigs heads no matter what brand you use. A 1/16 oz Litewirehook jig may weigh more/less than let's say a 1/16 oz Wally Marshall jig head. The heavier the deeper. Also be consistent with how far you cast out and how fast/slow you troll. Sometimes you may have to adjust on those variable...Thousands of variables out there to long line trolling. What works for me may not work for you. Find what works and stick with it. Gabowman hit the nail on the head about trolling towards shallower water and see where your jig hits the bottom. That's how I established how much weight I need to get down to the depth I want to be fishing at. Being consistent with what you choose to fish with and the technique (how far to throw out, speed, etc.) that you use will be the best chart you can have. Trial and error and time on the water is what it will take.
I would like to mention that TnT gave me a jig depth chart years ago and it sure has come in handy over the years and it seems pretty accurate. Of course you have to experiment. Thanks Tim for giving me that chart, it sure showed me a few things and proved some of the things I was thinking.
Chart is a good starting point for a beginner. But nothing beats actually seeing what various setups will do when pulled by your boat.
My favorite rig for longlining is a single 16th with a #3/0 split shot about 18 in up the line. 2nd favorite rig is a 1/16th on top of a 1/32nd or 1/48th.
All pulled at .9-1.0 using 6lb line.
As stated above consistent jighead weight is important, that's why I pour my own (except for 1/48th since I cannot find a multiple jig mold for that size)
and I use #4 and #2 sickle hooks which I believe helps with hookup and staying hooked.