Size matters

**Ketchn** · 08-17-2018, 06:18 AM

I saw a few folks on some other crappie boards talk about how these summer fish were tough to ketch . They say things like 80 % they see they can’t ketchn and even have graph photos of herds of fish on brush and trees.
More often than not those fish are ketchable is my thought on this .many times it’s about just getting something just so so to get bit . Crappie as we all know can be very finicky at times and this is one reason I find them so attractive as a target species .
This all said I tend to lean towards bait size and presentation when it gets like this . I think they are resting most likely between feeds and need something they can’t pass in front of them. so try small as you can find and let it just float around in them faces some . Keeping the line tight is likely part of the problem when they won’t bite . Any resistance on a subtle take and they are likely to spit it before you can hook them and or you won’t even feel the bite .An almost neutral buoyancy and a fall so slow it takes for ever to get down there coupled with a tiny offering is something most crappie can’t pass on , even if they are not feeding .
It requires a hawk like eye on the line and a pretty quick trigger finger sometimes as well , but frequently will put fish in the boat .
See the bite don’t feel the bite is the word .
Hope this helps you ketch them finicky ones

**skiptomylu** · 08-17-2018, 08:55 AM

Yes sometimes they are eating really small fry and saw someone post on this and say they have cut open crappie that were just full of 1/4" long fry. So normal jig is not going to compete with something so tiny! I believe we should try to get really small in summer. I know a guide that uses 1/32 oz jigs with #6 sickle hooks and will fish that in 20' or more depth of water. He does use a 1/2 Oz weight up the line to get down. I am not sure how he actually fishes it, but know he caught fish here even though he had only seen this lake one time before that and I mean went out and killed the crappie!

I have also used some kind of funny looking 1/32 Oz jigs I tied sometime back that I had a heavier jig below and the little one with Peacock Herl wings sure got bit! I want to try a tiny jig at night too and I would bet that the tiny jig will catch fish that you wouldn't have on a larger jig!

Skip

**Ketchn** · 08-18-2018, 06:13 AM

this season seems to have lots of very small fry in abundance everywhere I hit .
and to be sure crappie don't work hard to ketch them
makes for a finicky crappie fish for sure

**Bagpiper** · 08-18-2018, 07:09 PM

My buddy was catching some on piles using a 1/64th jig while I was taking a whooping before the wind picked up the other day. Stands to reason.

**Ralo79** · 08-18-2018, 08:29 PM

Yep, just got off lake and caught probably 20 or so. However they were small and did not meet our minimum size limit. Dog days are tough but they can be caught. Ketchin summed it up as to what i did today, used a 1/80 oz jig on 4# line. With the wind we had today could not even feel em. Just watched the line and quick set!!
Had fun with the little guys though!!

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**Ketchn** · 08-19-2018, 06:20 AM

I have a bud that almost never uses anything heavier than 1/32 and I promise you this not many folks can hang with him when it comes to ketchn crappie on just a plain jig . he never uses scent and only uses 4 lb test and will more often than not put a hurt on them while you watch .
mind you I know big baits will hammer lips and I use everything under the sun myself but to be sure I love to downsize when its tough to ketch them .
p.s. that's a mighty fine white mini bucktail jig ...I would pitch it for sure

**SKs Crappie Catching Adventures** · 08-19-2018, 08:17 AM

Recently the early a.m. bite takes a 1/32 #6 and as the fish go deeper I've been using up to a 1/4 #2 is what's been workn fer me...

**Abbott** · 08-25-2018, 04:32 PM

PLanning to go out this coming weekend hopefully. Maybe I need to get in the shop and tie me some 1/64 up

**Ralo79** · 08-25-2018, 04:35 PM

Went back this mornin, same spot, same jig, had 21, with 14 keepers. It’s a great jig when they finicky!!

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**Ketchn** · 09-03-2018, 07:26 AM

Originally Posted by Ralo79

Went back this mornin, same spot, same jig, had 21, with 14 keepers. It’s a great jig when they finicky!!

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as SK would say BAM and as I would say KABOOM

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