Reply With Quotemore distance from the boat! the shallower the fish or the clearer the water the more difference it makes.
HaHa: 0
Slabmaster II
12' or 14' poles
I started spider rigging about 2 years ago with 12' poles and soon switched to 14'. Been wanting to go back to 12' due to easier handling. I've recently been using 4 poles, 2-12' on left side and 2-14' on right side to check out the difference. There is about 6' of separation between 12's and 14's. All 4 poles are rigged the same. My last 3 trips, I've caught 76% of my fish on the 14's. Why?
SlabMeister LIKED above post
Bottomland thanked you for this post
Crappie.com 2K Star General
more distance from the boat! the shallower the fish or the clearer the water the more difference it makes.
Super Duper Moderator - 2012 Crappie.Com Man of the year & 2018 Crappie.com Decade of Exceptional Service Awards
* Crappie.com Supporter * Member Sponsor
Yep....further away from the boat.
I have spent most my life fishing........the rest I wasted.
PROUD MEMBER OF TEAM GEEZER
PICO Lures Field Rep
Crappie Wall Hanger II
Crappie.com 2K Star General
Stay with the 14s...I love the way the 12s handle, but for me the 14s work better
Slabmaster II
Super Duper Moderator - 2012 Crappie.Com Man of the year & 2018 Crappie.com Decade of Exceptional Service Awards
* Crappie.com Supporter * Member Sponsor
Yep.....you will get used to the 14s if you stick with them
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G891A using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app
I have spent most my life fishing........the rest I wasted.
PROUD MEMBER OF TEAM GEEZER
PICO Lures Field Rep
Crappie.com Legend
A lot depends on the pole style too.
Sent from my SM-G935V using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app
1990 Stratos 285 Pro 200 HP Merc
SpyderLok Rod Holders
Proud Member of Team Watch The Finger!!!
(662) 458-8925
Crappie.com 2019 Man of Year, Supermod & Moderator of the Mechanics Forum
* Crappie.com Supporter
I have 12's and 14's and have had the 16's. I also like the 12's for handling but have found the same thing. I catch way more fish on the 14's in water less than 12 ft. If fishing over 12 ft I'm going to the 12's. Did not like fishing with the 16's at all. To hard to handle by myself which is how I fish most of the time.
Crappie.com Legend
The troll motor & boat shadow is the culprit, Crappie can here it running and move to a safe distance. Unless in deep water. Even then they know you are there. I have tested it with corks attached to their dorsal fin. I prefer 12' poles in stained water and 14' in clear. Anything longer takes a lot of work & takes away from the fun of it. My 2cents.
