Thread: some trolling pointers

Hey guys, I'm new to the site and new to trolling for crappie. Just trying to get a few pointers. I have a homemade spider rig setup for 4 rods and no depth finder. I took my setup out a couple of weeks ago and did fairly well number wise but a lot of smaller fish (6-9"). Any pointers would be greatly appreciated!

Color makes a difference, speed And certainly depth!
With out a fish/ depth finder it would be easier on familiar waters or look for sunken structure, run offs or creeks! But you certainly don't want to drop and waste baits with out knowing what's down there! My favorite depth is 7-10'
Trolling!

Thanks for the advice. I'm going to give it another try tomorrow in an old river bed. Tried going there a couple of weeks ago but someone took my adapter from my gas line and didn't realize it till I got there, so I was fishing the channel by the boat ramp.

I cant imagine spider rigging without a graph.

You don't need a graph to spider rig. I first for a year before I bought one. Warning once the spider bites. Its over! You will eventually buy one along with a much of other stuff. Anyway use a stick your rod or something to find out how deep the water is. Put your far left rod at 2ft. Next rod at 4ft. And so on till you catch one. Then 2 at that depth and 2 1ft. Up and 1 1ft lower. Then the fish will tell you what you need to know. The hardest part about learning to spider rig is learning to fish the things you cant see and not the things you can. Now get out in the middle and drown some minnows!

Pardon my spell check my smart phone is a smart a.

Originally Posted by blackfish

Pardon my spell check my smart phone is a smart a.

He//, you're a smart azz too.

I wish I knew how to do this.

I get tangled up with two rods. Can't imagine more. Especially in the wind.

Hats off to all you guys that are way more talented. That's not sarcasm, I mean it. Clearly, crappie suspend, and in open water, a LOT more than I ever knew about.

If you are gonna do it without electronics...I'd make dang sure to troll slowly into the wind until you learn the area.That way,if you find a top/brush pile,you can let the wind push you back off it without hanging all your stuff up.First thing I do in a new lake or area I've never been is to scan it for stuff that will hold fish and/or tangle my poles up.I have 998SI...it really makes life much easier.

Originally Posted by RTJ214

If you are gonna do it without electronics...I'd make dang sure to troll slowly into the wind until you learn the area.That way,if you find a top/brush pile,you can let the wind push you back off it without hanging all your stuff up.First thing I do in a new lake or area I've never been is to scan it for stuff that will hold fish and/or tangle my poles up.I have 998SI...it really makes life much easier.

I do like trolling into the wind. Part of the fun of spider rigging is dealing with the hang ups. If you learn to do this right off, you won't be panicked in the future. Set your drag so that nothing breaks when the hang up happens and go get some fish. Six feet or less, single jig unless you are a real man. More than 6ft 2 hooks. With no gps, just move forward until the lines slightly angle backwards. This will get you to the right speed. Vary the depths and see if you can determine a pattern. Don't sweat the electronics. They are not a must have, but are pretty nice on the boat so you will have something to punch around on if the fishing is slow.