Thread: jig presentation

^^^^ This!! Confidence in your presentation is #1.

Why do fisherman think in the winter time you have to use small jigs? Do you eat small amounts of food during winter, and when spring comes you go back to eaten big foods? If you are hungry does it matter what size bite it is? Try telling that to a Pit Bull during the winter.
Maybe we are the ones that put crappie on a diet during winter, and not the crappie...just saying....

Originally Posted by crappie cowboy

Why do fisherman think in the winter time you have to use small jigs? Do you eat small amounts of food during winter, and when spring comes you go back to eaten big foods? If you are hungry does it matter what size bite it is? Try telling that to a Pit Bull during the winter.
Maybe we are the ones that put crappie on a diet during winter, and not the crappie...just saying....

Metabolism !

Why do fisherman think in the winter time you have to use small jigs? Do you eat small amounts of food during winter, and when spring comes you go back to eaten big foods? If you are hungry does it matter what size bite it is? Try telling that to a Pit Bull during the winter.
Maybe we are the ones that put crappie on a diet during winter, and not the crappie...just saying....


Big big difference in warm blooded mammals and cold blooded creatures like fish. Matter of fact their metabolism goes way down and does dampen their behavior as to size of bait. Also key in on what the fish are feeding on at what specific time of year. A little research will reveal that like here in Ohio. When the lakes freeze over the panfish go on a daphnia ( water flea ) and other organisms some that are microscopic. So us ice fishermen try to get as small as humanly possible to " match the hatch " so to speak. Another good example would be fly fishing. If the fish are surface feeding on #16 midge chances are a size #8 fly is going to be ignored.

As a more commonly used tactic when those pannies get tightlipped under the ice. I rig a size # 18 or # 16 dry fly hook as a dropper above the main jig which is say an 1/80 oz. The dropper line is @2# test. I hook one single maggot for the smallest presentation these old 68 year old eyes can somewhat see. This old trick has saved me from suffering a fishless day many times.

Originally Posted by Yaker

Metabolism !

I know about metabolism, but some fisherman think, like 1/24 oz. and so on. I can catch winter crappie on 1/16- 1/8 all the time. I just think people over think winter fishing....jmo

Originally Posted by crappie cowboy

Why do fisherman think in the winter time you have to use small jigs?

After Jan 1st most crappie are on a diet so they look good for the spring. A lot of people don't know that.

I would offer you need to pick about four or five lakes or bodies of water that have good crappie populations within an easy drive. Find out everything you can about the most effective methods to consistently catch about the best bag of fish you can boat during a regular tournament time.Fish with other people who have some skill on that particular lake,learn the techniques and best fishing places at what time of year. Spend a couple years just focusing on how to be among the best fisherman on those bodies of water.You need to learn at least four techniques.

Then...take what you learned there and then get involved.All the while following what is happening on the tournament trail. Always seek out local knowledge about the body of water your headed too.

Originally Posted by ppowell

After Jan 1st most crappie are on a diet so they look good for the spring. A lot of people don't know that.

No, no I did know either, thanks for the heads down....