Slab - There's so many different way to Crappie fish, can you share your first, second and third favorite ways?
DD - My first favorite is spider rigging, second is jigging and third pulling cranks. Each has it appropriate place and time. Shooting docks on certain waters is fun too.
"G" - Dan....my favorite Bobby Garland color is Watermelon Wine....What is yours ? Also how do you like the Mo'Glow baits ?
DD - I like that color too but my favorites are Screamer, Monkey Milk and a new color twilights.
As to the Mo Glow baits, I love them and use them all the time. It really depends on the water color, sunlight angles and do the fish want something suttle or vivid.
I am a BIG fan of the color selector.
When I hit a new water or even my home waters, the Alabama River, I always start with the color C. Then try it every 2 hours as the colors change during the day due to sunlight penetration.
"G" - Do you prefer double rigs or singles ? Also weight on the bottom or Capps and Coleman style ?
DD - I mainly use double rigs. I like to use a Thundermist three way with a 8 inch Mr. Crappie snelled leader on one and a 31-32 inch leader on the other. I loop the line 4 times through a 1/2oz egg weight halfway down and tie my jig of the day on the end. I usually use a BG bait on the jig and I tip both with a minnow.
I am a hugh fan of scents and use a new BG scent, Slab Jam. I also place a BG Crappie Rattle in the plastic.
I use the Capps and Coleman when they only want live bait.
David Schneider - If you were to give some sound advice to a fella on fishing a new lake, where would you tell him to look for the crappie? I struggle getting on fish at times on new bodies of water.
DD -
I have a process I use when going fishing. Even on my home water.
I used this same process when I worked a crappie camp in PA this May when I did not get any practice time on three different lakes in three days. Caught 65 on the last lake on day three.
I always research on the web, talk to local fishermen, visit bait shops and study maps before going to fish.
I buy or use preloaded software for the electronics such as Navionics.
I look for spawning grounds as the fish normally can be found somewhere near there, even in the summer or winter. I like to fish the fertile areas of the lake as bigger fish live in those areas.
Once on the water, I spend time on the electronics using side finder and Down Image technologies. They work and work well.
In practice on Beaver Lake in Arkansas this year, I placed 4th in the tournament by marking these key areas and fished four of them. I don't move much once I zero in on a good area.
I use the color selector down to the depth I have found the fish hanging out and use it periodically during the day.
Water temp, weather, moon phases are also taken into account and once I find the active fish, color, depth area, I concentrate on replicating the pattern
Speed can also be a factor. Last Sunday I caught 37 spider rigging and had to move at .1 to .2 MPH on GPS
crappie4me2 - What is your favorite bait? And why? Thanks for being on Crappie.com
DD - Favorite, hmmm, I have a few. I guess the combo of a Roadrunner, 1/16th oz, frosty, with a BG Baby Shad in Monkey Milk.
I also like the BG Minnow Mind'R
If in dirty water, like the MO Glow Head in Pink or Orange - 3/16
I started fishing under the tutorship of Bill Braswell, a great spider rigger. He taught me about the double hook rig. I have modified it some. I get a lot of questions about the rig I now use and how to make them. I use a fairly new three way made by Thundermist that is a true 360 threeway. It eliminates wrapping and helps the presentation. I use the Mr. Crappie snelled preriggs with a red #1 or #2 red Tru turn Hook.
Hillbilly - Dan,Whats your favorite method for catching summer time crappies?
DD - It really depends on the lake. Truman Lake will be jigging. On many other waters I like to Spider rig. You will be shocked how shallow the fish will go. I am catching good numbers of fish up to two pounds in 9-14 foot of water.
TreeFrog - Being doing some research on you, impressive resume! You seem to have all your ducks in a row.
One question I would like to ask is related to marketing. We are putting together a "Crappie Club" aka Tournament series here in Louisiana. I have very little experience in this field but I am a realy good organizer and a people person. So far we are growing by leaps and bounds and I have had very good response from Sponsor and Supporters of our like. Membership is growing and it has a very positive outlook.
This has the possibility of growing into a larger scale operation, what are some tips and advice that you can offer someone in my position. Starting off on a small scale, but opportunities are presenting themselves for growth and I want to be prepared for future expectations!
DD - Great question TreeFrog and my hat is off to you for doing this! It is exactly what we need to grow this sport!
A couple of recommendations:
1. Don't try to grow too fast. Set your goals for you and the club members, rules and get buy-in with everyone! They are your clients.
2. Always remember to not let the money drive the goals. A good club builds friendships, team work, competition, learning, etc. The monatey, etc. will come when these things are proven.
3. Follow the rules that you make, people will follow good leadership
4. Keep good stats, use them wisely and present them to the potential sponsor
5. The power of three is always true. Three years of good stats, and then the time is to move out to gain the sponsors you need.
6. The power of the press is holy ground. Use it.
Hope this helps buddy
chaunc - Being so busy writing such a great magazine (CrappieNOW.com), when do you have time to fish? Also, i'm glad you enjoyed your day on my home lake, Shenango. Sorry i couldn't make it that day. Smitty
DD - Smitty, I have always been a multitasker and that is my life. I also have good people who work with me behind the scenes. Like Tim Huffman, Eric Lambert and of course my bud, Tj Stallings.
I hope to see you next May up there and will do a Seminar for the public with Russ Bailey the third night.
David Schneider - Dan, stemming from the question I asked you the other day about live-well coolers. Do you think Crappie Now will ever feature a "tournament Crappie Boat tour" article or video?
There are quite a few tips and tricks for setting up your crappie boat for success I would assume.
Ive watched a few vids of the Bass Pro's giving a tour of their tournament ready boat set-ups and picked up a few pointers for how I'd like to rig my boat, however would rather take a peak at a crappie pro's set-up ;-)
Thanks
DD - We sure are. We have been planning it for months. It will start using my new Ranger that will be coming in a few weeks and then we will also do aluminum boats. It will show everything over months of editions. We will be doing videos on it too.
Good fishing my friend.
Slab - Thanks Dan, you were great. Lots of detailed answers to some great questions. Thank you so much for your time.
DD - No, thank you and invite me back anytime. I love fishing, especially crappie fishing. My hat is off to you guys and to all the crappie fisherpeople out there! God speed.
Here's a picture I took with Dan at the Lake Monroe Crappie Masters earlier this year. We took second place on Media Day. We had a great time fishing together. Thanks Dan.
You can see the original forum conversation here if you are interested: Featured Guests Forum
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