Winds of Change for Catching Crappie

**Bobfish11** · 02-08-2017, 11:33 PM

Sometimes, the wind can be just too much. Even with drift socks, chains, or what other devices you are using to slow your roll, they may not work. That being said, a few years ago while fishing my favorite lake, Poverty Point, I learned to let the wind work for me. By chance, I was fixing to call it a day because the wind was just too much. But as luck would have it, I had a pole that I had not pulled in. Just as I lifted the trolling motor, bam, a fish tried to jerk the pole out of the boat. In the midst of gathering up my gear, that forgotten rod that was trailing behind the boat had hooked up on a nice crappie. Just as any good fisherman would do, I tossed the jig back behind the boat and another fish hit. Needless to say, I was suddenly on a pattern. I had fought the wind trying to spider rig, then by casting, and tight lining , none of which was producing fish. But this technique was producing. I decided to toss two jigs behind the boat, and letting the wind do the pulling for me. I had discovered "long lining". This saved the day and I boated a bunch of fish. The upside to this is that you can cover a lot of water, and because you are keeping a tight line, it is easy to feel the bite. The downside, as I learned, is that once you hang up, it is a lost lure. But through trial and error, I have solved that problem by using a heavier line and a light wire jig. This technique works well in open water lakes, but can also be used just about anywhere you fish, even the bayous of south Louisiana. When pulling jigs in shallow water, I use a cork and jig. Also, it is a killer technique for speckled trout and even redfish. Wind speed will determine what jig weight to use. Typically an eighth ounce is best. So, next time the wind is too much, changing techniques just may be the answer. Good luck fishing. I'll see ya on the water.

**padre318** · 02-09-2017, 12:53 AM

Mr.Bob,you inspire all of us to fish harder.I have followed you over the years by watching your youtube videos and boy i can tell all of you that they are worth watching.Thanks for the pics and hurry up and catch that 4# fish this year.

**Slab** · 02-09-2017, 06:53 AM

Wow, nice fish, nice story. Thank you so much for sharing.

**spartannation** · 02-09-2017, 07:13 AM

Bob, you're right on the money with this tip. I've used this technique for years on the lakes of Michigan, especially those that are new to me. Many times I've pulled a crawler harness near bottom on one line and a jig higher in the water column on another line and been rewarded with nice catches of assorted species. One of my best spring bluegill spots was found this way, the bull gills on this lake spawn in 8-10 fow on a sunken island in the middle of the lake. We lucked into finding them there and in the 15 years since I've never seen anyone else fishing this spot in the spring. Keep the tips coming. This is a good reminder to think outside the box.

**fishervet** · 02-09-2017, 09:19 AM

you have inspired me too and I thank you for it......

**Mac Daddy** · 02-09-2017, 10:54 AM

Man your story is spot on. If I have a problem with fishing, it's sticking with what's not working and not changing things up. I wish I would have read this a week or so ago when I took a day off of work to take my son fishing and they missed the forecast of 6 mph winds, because we had 15 to 20 mph winds all day. I tried spider rigging with everything I could do to control the boat, drift socks ect. Long lining never crossed my mind but it may well have worked. Thanks for a great post.

**20watt** · 02-09-2017, 12:20 PM

We did the exact same thing on south end of poverty one fall. Wind blowing hard all day. Kicked trolling motor up on high and moved out to the center of channel to troll down about 100 yards and just tossed jig out the side for the heck of it and bam. Fish on. Finished out a dbl limit like that. Don't know how fast we were going but we couldn't duplicate it going into the wind, had to go with it.

What shocked me most was that we cranked the outboard to motor back to other end of chute several times catching fish every pass but no one that was watching us would stop what they were doing to switch tactics.

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**Jiggah** · 02-09-2017, 01:05 PM

What size weight? I have a 1/2 on there now, but I get hung up a lot. I tried 1/4 but the wind raises it.

**"G"** · 02-09-2017, 01:59 PM

Good post

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**prefers shiners** · 02-09-2017, 02:29 PM

Excellent "words of wisdom"......thanks Bob....

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