The we don't care tribe .....

**Ketchn** · 12-17-2024, 09:02 AM

Originally Posted by Happyfisherman

“They usually don’t take it under,” Pitts said about float-and-fly crappie bites. “Eighty percent of the time they’ll just roll the float over on its side even just bump it.”

Paying careful attention is critical, therefore, as is float selection. You need a sensitive well-balanced float that stands up when the jig is hanging naturally but transmits even the slightest movements of bait hanging beneath it.

A Thill Oval Shorty spring float is sized right for the task, and its balsa construction provides the critical sensitivity. The oval shape and short bottom stem also allow this style of float to track straight when you work the rig.

Pitts watches his float all the time and sets the hook with a quick snap any time the float turns sidewise of bobs even slightly.

How to Catch Crappie Witht the Float & Fly Technique

I know this about that , an oval float isn't the answer and it's much nearer to a 75% on gone under rate if your doing it right
pencil floats will kill an oval day in and out .....
a pencil float, one contact point and it needs to sit about halfway under the water line ....
to much buoyancy is your enemy for sure .....

**Ketchn** · 12-17-2024, 09:04 AM

Originally Posted by BobC

Some very nice ones there, Ketchn. That last one looks like it survived an attack. One of your favorite birds?
Bob

yes sir , he showed his ugly mug about 50 yards away , just neck and head ....looked at me like I was his enemy with a sideways glance as ....
I reached for a rock

**Spoonminnow** · 12-20-2024, 09:44 AM

I tried a yum white curly tail and got the tail bit off FIRST cast , used it with a bit off tail and they loved it , go figure

I posted that suggestion a while back. Wasn't sure if anyone else did as well as me the first time I used it. I now have various
no-tail body designs I came up with that do great!

An open mind is the greatest tool an angler has.

**Happyfisherman** · 12-20-2024, 11:48 AM

Originally Posted by Spoonminnow

I posted that suggestion a while back. Wasn't sure if anyone else did as well as me the first time I used it. I now have various
no-tail body designs I came up with that do great!

An open mind is the greatest tool an angler has.

I'm gonna try trimming my used 2.5" Gulp minnows for reuse

**Spoonminnow** · 12-20-2024, 02:24 PM

I'm gonna try trimming my used 2.5" Gulp minnows for reuse

Something to get you started:

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Two bodies joined together by melting the end with a candle flame:
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A few things to remember:
1. light jigs only
2. part of a plastic worm works
2. small diameter line (i/e/ 6# test braid) for best lure action.
4. these are strictly slow twitch & pause lures and catch fish regardless of activity level
5. they catch ANYTHING THAT SWIMS
6. I wouldn't be surprised they catch fish under the ice
7. If you have confidence in certain colors, use them. The above are just a few of my confidence colors.
8. Once you've caught fish with the no-action-tail grub, you will always have one rigged and ready.

**silverroach** · 12-20-2024, 03:24 PM

Nice catch, and last time I checked they all eat the same.
Thanks for tips.

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**Gansett** · 01-09-2025, 08:07 AM

I know what you mean. Some friends and I went out with a guide. As I was CLOSELY watching my bobber the guide said I had a bite. I was still watching my bobber when he said: reel him in, reel him in. So I started reeling and sure enough I had a fish on. I couldn't believe it. I swear I did not see the bobber move or even twitch. It happened 3 or 4 more time that day. Now I don't know how many crappie I may be missing when I go without a guide.

**Noodle rod** · 01-09-2025, 11:33 AM

Originally Posted by BobC

Some very nice ones there, Ketchn. That last one looks like it survived an attack. One of your favorite birds?
Bob

Saw something floating in the water a couple years ago and went over there. It was a dead Cormorant with a 15" crappie stuck in its neck.

Sent from my SM-S906U using Tapatalk

**Noodle rod** · 01-09-2025, 11:38 AM

Do you float users see the float in your dreams/nightmares? I use them for steelhead, but not for crappie anymore for this reason.

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**Happyfisherman** · 01-09-2025, 11:43 AM

Originally Posted by Noodle rod

Do you float users see the float in your dreams/nightmares? I use them for steelhead, but not for crappie anymore for this reason.

Sent from my SM-S906U using Tapatalk

Haha, I definitely started catching more crappie when I lost the float and just started casting and slow retrieving. But chances are if you didn't see him tap your bobber, you wouldn't feel the tap when casting either, unless highly trained like that guide

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