Thread: With the weather warming...

I may try to get up to the Hill about Wednesday or so with temps expecting to get back up to about 70 or so. The water level is still about 10 feet low and has cooled to about 50F. What method would you start with for catching some crappie under these conditions this time of year? January is usually a little tough when the water temp drops. I am thinking start by fishing some brush piles and docks but with the water 10 feet down, it limits some options with docks out of the water and brushpiles a bit shallow. I am set up to either long line or tight line as needed. Typically in January I have done better tight lining in deeper water and moving slow but every year is different on the Hill with water levels and temperatures.

Originally Posted by gabowman

Since I only longline that is what I will go with but that doesn't mean it's the best. Usually this time of the year the fish I find are usually in 20' or so of water and theyre hugging the bottom. I think a lot of them might be perch but who knows. I try pulling my lines 13'-15' deep and am looking for the aggressive fish. A good mess to eat satisfies me this time of the year.

What is your setup for 13 to 15' deep if you don't mind me asking? Weight, speed and approximate line distance.