Thread: Help trying old techniques in a new State.

I live in the Dallas area and I got a boat a few years ago. I have been able to catch crappie in the Spring during the spawn, but even though I have tried several other methods during the other times of year I have been unsuccessful.

I grew up in North Alabama and knew how to fish that area and some places where the following techniques worked. I wonder if someone could tell me if they have ever fished this way and if so please point me in the right direction.

1. Tree Top Fishing: From October through March

We went to a river which was between 50 and 100 yards wide and looked for trees which the base was on land but the top had fallen into the water. We slowly drove the boat into the tree and tied the boat to the tree. Then we fished with cane poles using floats and minnows for bait. We dropped the bait down between the branches and used gold hooks which we could unbend if stuck. Usually we caught between 0 – 5 crappie at a tree and then moved to another tree if we went 15 minutes without a fish. Occasionally we hooked a bass or catfish. This method was very consistent and it seemed we always caught some fish. I have tried this in the Coosa River near Rome three times and have yet to ever get a bite or catch a fish.

A. Has anyone ever fished like this in Georgia and if so can you please point me in the right direction.



2. Drift Fishing: The middle of March through May

We went to a Lake and turned the boat sideways into the wind. We then drifted sideways with the wind. We fished with floats and minnows about 20 feet from the boat and one pole with a minnow straight down almost on the bottom.

This method was not as consistent as the other method, but when the fishing was hot there was nothing more fun.


B. Has anyone ever fished like this in Georgia and if so can you please point me in the right direction.

Can't really help on those tactics, but I have a word about moving around the country and fishing. Sometimes your old ways can work real well and sometimes not well. I started on specks back in SC longline trolling or fishing under a light. That worked real well sometimes when I moved to FL, but not always. Sometimes I had to switch up and learn new ways like the locals. Now here in GA my local lake is not good for trolling due to all the snags.

So, I'm trying new things and learning to catch them new ways.