Yoyo Newbie Need Some Tips

[jdouthit]

I have never ran yoyos before. How do I need to set them, easiest way to rig them, etc? When is the best time to run them for crappie? I'm fishing South Arkansas oxbows. I have 20 still in he box I got from Walmart.

[NIMROD]

My advice if you really want to use those things is put a 1/4 oz lead and a good Crappie hook on each one. I would try not to hang them too high as to pull fish out of the water. Most cases at night set bait (minnow)just under the surface of the water. Don't forget to mark with ID and never leave unattended during daylifght hours.

Good Luck.

[slabbandit]

My Dad and I used to run yo-yos on the Arkansas River way back when I was a kid. That was back when there used to be huge patchs of willows. I remember one afternoon we hadn't caught anything but a 4 lb cat when right before dark we couldn't keep the crappie off and yo-yos baited. They were zinging everywhere!

[Billy E]

Nimrod said the 2 most important thing, That thing has a spring in it. Learn how it works and dont set it to were when the fish is caught it hangs up in the air. Make sure you mark them with your tag #. Do not leave them unattended. Learn the knot that has a loop in it. I am not sure what it is called but it makes it easy to take them down. I always put a orange flag in the tree to help me find them. Make sure you take the flag down when you remove your yo-yo. Have fun

[hoxiedog]

always take a dip net with you...

[Shallow Runner]

If you will take some friendly advice from a Cajun lol here it is. Use a leader and a barrel swivel. The barrel swivel will stop the catfish (you will catch catfish) from tearing up your yo-yo's and the leader will stop you from from pulling your smaller crappie out of the water and killing them. Good luck and I hope this helps.


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[mdperson]

First tie your knots very good to the yo yo itself. Then I like a #2 hook, eagle claw lazer sharp crappie hook. Follow what Nimrod said about how high to hang them. Also if I'm fishing an oxbow I would never put my hook lower than 6" into the water. If a crappie is there he will come up to eat it and you are less likely to catch a bunch of mud cats that a way. As far as tying it to the limb I would use a slip knot or buy some cheap squeeze clamps to tie to the end. Some places the squeeze clamps work really well usually the cypress trees have small enough limbs that they would work really good on. I would usually always fish them at night. Run them often this does 2 things if you catch a dink you can release it before it drys out and the 2nd thing running often does is that it makes sure that no one else is running your yo yo's. This happens alot more that one might realize. And on the same note only run your own yo yos that slab on another guys looks awfully tempting but keep to your own that other guy just may be watching and you would hate to get a hole shot in your boat. lol

[501mooney87]

Pack plenty of beer..

[rockmike]

Pack plenty of beer..

+1

[arkansasbowhunter]

I always put em on anything i could hang them on and with a plain gold hook so the minnow can swim good no more 6 inches under water no matter how deep it is. I love to set and hear them tripping behind you. Best times for crappie was march for me as fish are on the move to spawn.