Spear point: thoughts?

[rezz93]

Honestly, fishing has been poor the last few trips, but that is mainly due to the summer doldrums. There have been 2 flooding events on the lake this summer as well and that looks to have caused a mixed up thermocline along with high water and current.
The muddy water that usually occurs in these events did not really materialize. The surface water remained clear while there is a muddy layer down there somewhere too. The lake discharge appears much muddier due to the depth of the water coming out of the lake at the dam. Sonar confirms the varying thermocline and/or thicker water down there too.

There are hundreds? of small schools of bait spread out all over the lake which seems to have scattered the fish more than usual this year. They have not been on the wpts/wood lately either.
Could likely do better trolling crankbaits but haven't had the urge for that. But with the cooler nights lately things should be improving.

Overall, my jigs have been performing well this past year or so and that instills confidence that something is working. I have also tried various plastics recently but they are not performing well.

As far as being too creative, that's just part of the fun of tying to me.
Certainly some of my ties are minimal and meet the standard of 'fishing quality' to me, while other's get much more attention to detail and experimentation to keep things interesting.
The thread bodies along with various rings, bands, and collars just provide a way to add more color and/or eye catching ability to the jigs. My theory is to use multiple colors and especially lately, to be sure to add a ring or band for max contrast.

So, you're right. I am being way too creative.
That being admitted, I have no need for 'standard' crappie jigs due to the multiple boxes laying around my building, so the extra options I add now are just me looking for a better crappie jig. You know, like the mousetrap thing.
Since my main interest is bigger fish usually, the more colorful and different jigs just add to the fun and satisfaction when a jig works as intended.
I can weed out most of the smaller fish with the use of larger jigs, which is fine by me. One good fish is better than 20 eaters as of now but it's about time to get a mess for frying. For that, smaller and more 'tradition' jigs including plastics usually work better.

Bottom line, the jigs work and are fun to tie.
Thanks for your honesty, that's what it's all about.

[GrumpyLoomis]

Just keep them coming rezz

[rezz93]

He did pretty good today, five crappie , a cat, and a bass. Was a slow day overall so not too bad. Had one small fish on a plastic but otherwise they were slow.



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[Micanopy]

I recently shared about summertime swimming amongst crocodilians. In it I was waist deep with this very common minnow. Schools were ten and twenty affairs. I watched as they swam away from me as I strode the bottom. Looked like a head with a taper down to nothing shape. When I got closer it could be seen swimming more enthusiastically. Three speeds.

Your jigs look like they have that head what tapers down to nothing profile. These minnows do not look like shad. Look like what locals refer to as Bull Minnows. Looked like a large crappie could get four or five with a good ambush. I have seen school of these on the surface. They were getting smacked around real good. So that Bull Minnow profile might be an idea for you.

You would need to cut away most of that tail material to get the acceptable length that matches a minnow. A sword tail at that length would then offer you the bull minnow profile.Your style would easy allow that.

I have enjoyed watching you dial all this stuff in.

[rezz93]

Thanks Micanopy

The minnow profile does seem like a good idea, especially with a lot of bait that are similarly shaped.
Schools of these small baitfish/fry are all over and are seen jumping clear of the water to avoid becoming a meal.

So, more dialing to come. That's half the fun.