Trolling Question About Baits.

I spider rig year round over here. 95% of the time I have a pony head on the bottom of my spider rig. You can push them with just a plastic, plastic and tip minnow or pony head bare with minnow. Most of the time I'm rigged with teaser I tie on top, 1/2 oz weight and 1/8 oz pony on bottom.

Thanks to everyone for your replies. You have been most helpful. Blessings!

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Originally Posted by Bob D

Cranks are a lot of fun, but it's a different ball game than jigs. Go to 10 lbs test line like coach said they don't give those things away. On the Big G I troll the lower lake because that's where I have found most of the large white crappie. I use line counting reals and troll not push my cranks. It allows me to control the depth by the amount of line I put out, and it's more fun to reel them in a ways to get to the boat. Speed is much different, you need to be between 1.8 and 2.2 for cranks, a lot faster than jigs and it wears down the batteries faster. I also have found that the fish are related to creek channels and humps in deep water. For me I have only had success in 20-26 FOW. Colors change thru the season. On the Big G I find a lot of the shad patterns work well. Favorite is mad cow in 300 bandit. I do use arkies as well.

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Can you define the difference between pull and push? I understand the meaning of pulling, which I understand your use of the word "troll". But what the heck is pushing?

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Originally Posted by Tadpole!!

Can you define the difference between pull and push? I understand the meaning of pulling, which I understand your use of the word "troll". But what the heck is pushing?

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Basically, "pushing" is having your rods out the front of the boat, more or less pointing forward, rather than out the side or back.

It's kinda like your position when you use a cart at the grocery store ... you're "pushing" the cart if it's in front of you, and "pulling" it when it's behind you. Just think of the cart as your rods and you'll get the concept.

Most times when "pushing" jigs/cranks ... you're using trolling weights. That's to get the line angled deep enough to clear the trolling motor prop, as well as not having to have as much line out to get the depth you seek. It's not mandatory, but it is helpful.

I pull longline with lead core. I use a my own flies tipped with bait. Handline only. With the lead core it doesn't matter which they've both get down. Again I can fish those super light River Runs Through it flies down as dee pas I want with lead core.

Along these lines, what are typical depths for crappie in the summer? 20+ or 30+ or is it strictly depending on conditions?

I find when trolling cranks I'm usually catching fish between 16 and 25 feet deep in the water column in as deep as 40 FOW. Just depends on where the fish are suspending or holding on the structure.