Trolling cranks on L. Monticello

[luvpt]

I couldn't find any rosie reds this morning so I decided I would try trolling some 300's on Lake monticello since I had never tried that on that lake. I got a late start and the wind was not cooperative but caught a few anyway. The two biggest crappie were 16.5 and 16.0" and thick. The large green carp was 22". Caught a lot more bass and hybrids but threw most of them back. The battery is down in my digital scale so I didn't weigh them. I usually don't go to Lake Monticello without minnows but I guess they can be caught with artificial bait after all!

[L.A. stumpjumper]

Way to go Steve, I was just talking about try cranks on L Mont. next summer, I thought they'd be too deep this time of year. Those 16.5 and 16 inch are probably approaching 3lb. I was on Cane Creek today and didn't get a bite, but wasn't smart enough to leave, fished all day without a bite. Creekslick was on CC today, that's who I was talking to about pulling cranks. We're going to meet on Greers Ferry next year when he starts catching again. Thanks for the report and pics on L M.

[luvpt]

Jerry

They were deep. I use a 2 oz egg sinker a couple of feet in front of the Bandits and troll them about 4-5 ft off the bottom. I caught that big bass right off the bottom. . . eyes popped out when I got him up. I hung a couple of sticks but otherwise didn't have a problem with hangups.......sure was nice not having to fool with minnows! I forgot to mention that I push these from the front wheras some folks pull them behind the boat.

Steve

[Arkie John]

I've used that technique a few times but need to get more familiar with it. Man, you really have to know your water to do that, it seems.

Good catch, and now that I think about it, I don't see why it wouldn't work on those deep-schoolin' winter crappie in the river channels etc.

Thanks for sharing with us.

Brother Tom and I are going for stripers [early] on Ouachita (Twin Creeks) tomorrow and crappie later in the day and stripers again an hour or so before last light.

Merry Christmas

aj

To one and all: "It's okay to say 'Merry Christmas.' "

[L.A. stumpjumper]

Jerry

They were deep. I use a 2 oz egg sinker a couple of feet in front of the Bandits and troll them about 4-5 ft off the bottom. I caught that big bass right off the bottom. . . eyes popped out when I got him up. I hung a couple of sticks but otherwise didn't have a problem with hangups.......sure was nice not having to fool with minnows! I forgot to mention that I push these from the front wheras some folks pull them behind the boat.

Steve

Steve, that is another technique that I'm going to have to put on my " to learn list". That is what I like about this site, you can learn a lot by others posts. Do you use rods like bass fishing rods or jig poles. I'm going to have to see if I can find some info on the internet and read up on it. Thanks alot for your post and info.

Jerry

[luvpt]

Jerry,

I use trolling rods of different lengths and stiffness depending on where and how I am fishing. Yesterday I was using two 16 ft and four 14 ft rods (Wally Marshall Tightline Specials). Those are fairly stiff rods....A lighter rod works better for trolling jigs. I like pushing bandits in front much better than pulling from the rear....more control. I just drop them down to the bottom and give the reel five to seven cranks and they are ready. The two oz weight keeps them fairly vertical during trolling and makes turns much easier without tangles. Don't have to use the chart to measure the length of line for a specific depth like you would when pulling them (believe me that is a pain). I use the GPS to keep speed at .8 to 1 mph. I really prefer trolling jigs but just wanted to try the bandits on L.M. to see if they would bite it. I think I would have caught more crappie and less bass if I had used jigs. Those little white bass are really bothersome.