Thread: Warmer water - no pattern discovered / fish scattered under a cloudless sky

Originally Posted by Cane Pole

Tunnel vision is you problem. Like I said, the National Champs aren't National Champs because of tunnel vision issues.

Since you only mentioned Tourney Guys....this ought to be a good discussion.

First, you basic point is meaningless to most on here, because Tourney Guys are Fishing for a LIMIT, and to get that, they only need a Certain Number Of BIG bites....they are not wanting huge numbers of fish like most of us.

Second, One of the reasons Crappie "Tournament" fishing is looked down upon, IS BECAUSE of the use of Live Bait, Multiple poles, and trolling/spider-rigging/long-lining!
In essence, no real input getting the fish to bite is from the fisherman...This is why the BIG $$ (dollars) are in other types of Tourney fishing that rely more on the Angler, 1 casting pole, and artificial bait...all of the input to get a fish to bite is performed by the Angler...due to different techniques, and his/her knowledge or his/her influence on an artificial bait.

Every "Professional" Fisherman should have an understanding of the target Species (Patterns, weather, depths, cover, structure, temps, etc.), Knowledge of Electronics, and boat Control....so what is left that makes A "Live Bait" Crappie Professional special?....is it being able to change to a fresh minner, or being able to sit and watch a pole tip twitch better?
Sponsors and Tourney Officials/Directors have said, that If Crappie "Professionals" would stop using live bait and "Non-Fishing" techniques, that the Sport would be able to grow and make more money..........all I can say, is that "Other" Species Fishermen are making ALOT more in Endorsements and Tourney Money...Food for Thought???

Originally Posted by INTIMIDATOR

If Crappie "Professionals" would stop using live bait and "Non-Fishing" techniques, that the Sport would be able to grow and make more money ...

FAQ from Crappie Masters....look at number 5 and 6.


Please read thru the following FAQ. We will be adding to this FAQ so please check back often. Reading the rules page will answer most questions. If you have a question that you think should be in the FAQ please submit it to [email protected]

1. Can anyone fish a Crappie Masters tournament?
a. Yes. However, you must sign up for a Crappie Masters membership.

2. Do I signup for a membership prior to entering a tournament?
a. No. You can sign up for a membership and enter a tournament at the same time. Just choose which tournament you are fishing and the membership you want and click add to cart.

3. Can you fish without a partner?
a. Yes. You may fish with a partner or without. No more than 2 people in a boat. Mike Parrott won the national championship fishing alone in 2008.

4. Who will I be fishing against?
a. There are many different types of anglers teams and some that fish alone. Most teams are friends and family.

5. Will I be fishing against pros?
a. Depends on your definition of what a pro is? Many consider professional anglers to make a living only fishing. In other words, they are paid to fish and they fish all the time, therefore they have an advantage. This is not the case in crappie fishing. There are no paid professional teams. Crappie teams currently are working, self employed or retired from work.

6. What about those teams with fancy clothes and boats?
a. Some teams do have sponsored clothing to promote a sponsors product or services. These can be local sponsors where the angler lives or national sponsors that have placed them on their fishing team.
b. Some have shrink wrapped boats and/or vehicles. The anglers may be given entry fees and/or products for promoting a sponsor. Some may even receive a small amount of money to help with expenses. However we are not aware of a crappie team that makes their living through sponsorship at this time.

7. How do you enter a fishing tournament?
There are 4 ways to enter a tournament.
a. Print out the pdf entry form, fill out one from our magazine-trifolds or other print media and mail it in to Crappie Masters, Inc., P.O. Box 121, Clinton, MO. 64735
b. Enter online by going to the top menu…TOURNAMENTS to RULES-ENTRY FORM…read rules…at the bottom of page click on ENTER ONLINE. Choose your tournament and follow the instructions.
c. Come to the registration seminar early and enter the night before the tournament begins. See the tournament details page for locations for specific tournaments. Please note that some tournaments such as The Ultimate Challenge One Pole do not offer signup at the registration-seminar. It is always best to pre register for a tournament prior to the seminar night.
d. Call it in at 660-351-4187

8. Is there a late fee for registering late?
a. Yes. Normal late fee is $25.00 if not received or signed up 14 days prior to a tournament. Special tournaments can be up to a $50.00 late fee. See the tournament schedule for late fees for special tournaments. You avoid late fees by registering early.

9. What divisions are there in a Crappie Masters tournament?
a. All anglers and teams are competing in the same division for the same prizes. Addition divisions are Top Adult/Female team and Top Adult/Youth team. These teams can win additional prizes such as Gift Cards or sponsor products. We do hope to increase the prize per division as we can.

10. What happens at a Crappie Masters registration and seminar prior to a tournament?
a. Those that have preregistered will sign and pick up their voucher for the tournament. This voucher will be brought by the anglers to the weigh in line. Anglers that have not preregistered will do so then to get their voucher. Team will also get their ticket for door prize drawings.
b. Some seminars have banquets and some do not. If so, teams usually visit and eat prior to the beginning of the seminar. There is also sponsor literature out for learning about sponsors and their products/services.
c. The seminar is about going over sponsors, tournament rules and questions. If you do not understand something, this is the time to ask. We also do door prizes at the end of the seminar.

11. Do I have to attend the seminar?
a. Yes. One member of the team must be present for the entire seminar. If there is an emergency, you must let the tournament director know.

12. How do you qualify for the national championship?
There are three ways to qualify.
a. One is to place in the top 15 of any qualifying tournament or fish any 3 tournaments. Either a 1 day or 2 day tournament. We do bump down past those that are already qualified.
b. At each seminar you have the chance to enter into a drawing for free qualification (note: not a free entry). If you enter and win the drawing you are automatically qualified for the championship.
c. You can also qualify via points. Each team in a tournament is awarded points by where they placed in the points. The remaining championship spots are determined by points. We go down the list in the points standings bumping past those that have already qualified in other ways.
d. You can also qualify by fishing a club affiliated series of tournaments. Check out the crappie club in your area to determine how they will qualify anglers for the Championship.

Originally Posted by INTIMIDATOR

Since you only mentioned Tourney Guys....this ought to be a good discussion.

First, you basic point is meaningless to most on here, because Tourney Guys are Fishing for a LIMIT, and to get that, they only need a Certain Number Of BIG bites....they are not wanting huge numbers of fish like most of us.

Second, One of the reasons Crappie "Tournament" fishing is looked down upon, IS BECAUSE of the use of Live Bait, Multiple poles, and trolling/spider-rigging/long-lining!
In essence, no real input getting the fish to bite is from the fisherman...This is why the BIG $$ (dollars) are in other types of Tourney fishing that rely more on the Angler, 1 casting pole, and artificial bait...all of the input to get a fish to bite is performed by the Angler...due to different techniques, and his/her knowledge or his/her influence on an artificial bait.

Every "Professional" Fisherman should have an understanding of the target Species (Patterns, weather, depths, cover, structure, temps, etc.), Knowledge of Electronics, and boat Control....so what is left that makes A "Live Bait" Crappie Professional special?....is it being able to change to a fresh minner, or being able to sit and watch a pole tip twitch better?
Sponsors and Tourney Officials/Directors have said, that If Crappie "Professionals" would stop using live bait and "Non-Fishing" techniques, that the Sport would be able to grow and make more money..........all I can say, is that "Other" Species Fishermen are making ALOT more in Endorsements and Tourney Money...Food for Thought???

Hmmmm Lets see here, Walleye trail, yep live bait and trolling multiple poles allowed. Catfish trail, yep live bait and multiple poles allowed. And the biggest $$$$$$$$ of any for fishing is Offshore Cups and guess what, yep trolling and live bait allowed. I don't think your arguement of that being valid. Maybe the point of it simple being a panfish with weights below 3lbs on average is the reason for low dollars as well as the typical lures, when used are what, $2.00 a pack for 15 baits or so. And yes crankbaits are the same as for bass, but pulling 1 around a lake or casting to cover ain't going to pay back large catches. It is simply a panfish and I do not ever think no matter what rules or stipulations are made it will ever become a multi million dollar trail. Cant argue the guys tourney fishing not spending money on boats or electronics, most are same or to a degree better equipped with electronics than many bass guys. Maybe not Van Dam or Iconelli and a few others, but the guys serious about Crappie have large investments in boats and electronics as well. I think it just comes down to being a panfish more than any other factors.

Originally Posted by INTIMIDATOR

... 1 casting pole, and artificial bait...

Do you really think that doing this will turn crappie tournaments into the BASS tour? The bass guys routinely use $25 crankbaits thrown on their "crankbait" rod (not to be confused with their drop shot rod, their shakey head rod, their spinnerbait rod, or their frog rod.)

Even with a "one rod, artificials only" rule, an inexpensive spinning outfit and a handful of jigs is all you would need.

Originally Posted by huntinslabs

... a panfish with weights below 3lbs on average is the reason for low dollars ...

At the BASS weigh-ins, they want the guys holding up the big bass. A pound and a half crappie or half pound bluegill won't get the same response.

Originally Posted by huntinslabs

It is simply a panfish and I do not ever think no matter what rules or stipulations are made it will ever become a multi million dollar trail.

Agreed. I just don't think the "BASS model" can be recreated with crappie, bluegill, etc.

Most other Sport-fishing, except for the Cat Guys, are trying to get away from Live Bait...this is from the 2016 OffShore Series...

Baits
Dead bait, lures and any combination thereof are permitted in this tournament. Live bait is NOT allowed in the tournament. Dead bait cannot be purchased during tournament fishing hours. Teams are allowed to purchase dead bait prior to the start of fishing.

It was estimated a few years back that Crappie fishing has passed Bass Fishing for number of fishermen and popularity...To be able to grow that popularity even more, Crappie Pros need to be able to reach more fans with shows, lures, and different techniques to showcase THEIR fishing skills...just like Bass Fishing guys do!

You can't tell me that none of these guys on this Website, wouldn't be excited to see huge weights of Slabs being brought in to the scales, and then would go right out and buy that SPOONMINNOW Custom lure that caught all of them!
That's something you could Market....market swimbaits for Crappie, Crankbaits for Crappie, Jigs for Crappie, small Craws for Crappie....then you get Artificial Lure Businesses involved....more line companies, rod and reel manufacturers, etc.

Believe it or not but many youngsters get turned off of Crappie Fishing because it is BORING to them....get them kids out there throwing a crank, swimbait, jig, rat-tail, etc.
We all know that there are many different ways we can catch Crappie with artificials and casting...IMHO, that is the only way to grow the Sport.

I've been trying to get Companies to market to the Crappie Crowd....they won't because of the Live Bait and Multiple pole rules!
Guys on here are using and buying the Keitech 2 or 3 inch "Bass" lures because they work...I know that Keitech has downsized some offerings because of that, but they still won't market them as Panfish lures here in the US...even though they are marketed as panfish lures in Asia.

It's Sad to see Wally fishing on his shows catching Big Slabs with Artificials and High Vis line....and then at the Big Tourneys guys are using minners....all it will take is for someone to Win a couple big ones with a Artificial and the change will begin!

I am pretty sure, could be wrong on this as I am just an old country boy. But I believe that Strike King, Midsouth Tackle, Southern Pro, Bobby Garland, Matrix, Bass Pro Shop, Arkie, Bandit, Bill Norman Lures, Mister Twister, Big Bite Baits, Charlie Brewer, and many more already market baits for Crappie. Lews, Bass Pro Shop, St Croix, BnM, and many more produce Crappie Rods and reels. It is a panfish and I do not ever think it will catch up to the Bass and Walleye guys for $$$$. No matter what rules are made. Like DBD said nothing impressive to a non Crappie fisherman about someone holding up a 1.5lb fish at weigh in. Heck even 3lb fish for that matter. And what are you suggesting is a non fishing technique? Might could use that arguement with game warden for not having a fishing liscense, honest officer I was spiderrigging not fishing. Give me a break, it has a rod, reel, line, and bait, your fishing. And no, I do not spiderrig, longline yes, livebait no. But I aint gonna call out someone that does use olive bait as not fishing. Dynamite maybe, pends on if I was handed a lit stick or not as to whether I would fish with dynamite.