Crappie Basics #25 Losing Crappie

It happens! The big fish you’ve been waiting for is on the end of your line. Do you get it in or do you lose it? The following are tips to help avoid the heartbreak.


Use a landing net. This is the number one reason for losing a big crappie.



Keep a tight line. This usually happens after you set the hook and reach down to the reel handle or to grab the pole with your other hand. Do not allow slack in the line or you’ll lose the fish.


Don’t get too excited. Easy to say but difficult to do. When you get excited you’ll immediately begin putting more pressure to hurry the fish to the boat so it won’t get off. Too much pressure means a lost fish.


Check your line often for rough or bad spots. Re-tie your knot periodically. Your weakest link is often the last two feet of line and the knot.


Check your hook point often, especially after hang-ups or if you miss a few fish.


You need good luck. Bad luck is having the fish wrap around a limb, biting when you are doing something else and having the hook in the edge of the mouth instead of in a stronger part. You need good luck to hook and land a good crappie. You can put big fish in your boat by fishing in big-fish lakes and following the basic rules above. Get the net! -T.H.


Blessings,
TJ Stallings


www.CrappieNOW.com