Thread: What I am doing wrong?

I trolled cranks on Barkley on Saturday near the main channel and Sunday I went to Kentucky Lake and fished in Little Bear. I varied my speed from 1.5 to 2 mph and the length of line with planner boards was 50 to 75 feet. We saw fish and bait fish on the depth finder at 7.5 to 12 feet deep. I trolled Pico and Bandit 200's and could only muster 2 catfish. I targeted 13-20 feet of water. Any help would be appreciated as I am new to trolling.

Thanks,
Denny

You’re worrying too much. There are days that none of us can make a bite happen. Yesterday on Barkley was one of those days for me. Keep digging and trying different things.


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Fished Little Bear also. Were you out towards the mouth of the bay? We went all the way back in 14 to 18 feet and caught a few plus a 5 pound bass, a 3 pound bass and a big Gaspergoo!! 1.8 mph on Jenko lures. Chartreuese/black was best but pink too. Let out more line. I'm pulling at 100 on one rod and 80 on da other. Good luck!! Some of the fish here were caught in Little Bear.

I don't know beans about cranking, not my cup of tea, but do know a little about summer crappie fishing on KY/Barkley. Been several years since I haven't caught a limit in June. If you aren't catching them then you either aren't on fish or they are not liking what your showing them, they feed voraciously this time of year. Not saying this to brag, just to point out that you shouldn't accept "they aren't biting" thing this time of year. I will say they can be very picky about what they eat and how its presented, but they are going to eat if you do your part.

Originally Posted by pab1981

If you aren't catching them then you either aren't on fish or they are not liking what your showing them, they feed voraciously this time of year. Not saying this to brag, just to point out that you shouldn't accept "they aren't biting" thing this time of year. I will say they can be very picky about what they eat and how its presented, but they are going to eat if you do your part.

Sounds legit, it's been a struggle for me to stay in the bait fish, seems that the bait fish I do find is just scattered all over at random. You must find the bait fish if you want to hook up.

Originally Posted by pab1981

I don't know beans about cranking, not my cup of tea, but do know a little about summer crappie fishing on KY/Barkley. Been several years since I haven't caught a limit in June. If you aren't catching them then you either aren't on fish or they are not liking what your showing them, they feed voraciously this time of year. Not saying this to brag, just to point out that you shouldn't accept "they aren't biting" thing this time of year. I will say they can be very picky about what they eat and how its presented, but they are going to eat if you do your part.

I feel like just about any day someone is catching fish. May not always be me but I figure someone on the lake is on them even if I’m not. I get your point.


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Originally Posted by GREENFISH

I feel like just about any day someone is catching fish. May not always be me but I figure someone on the lake is on them even if I’m not. I get your point.


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Don't misunderstand me though, the number of crappie, on Barkley especially, aren't what they were a couple years ago. Any time your in a down cycle like now the chances of running into them will be less. But the ones that are left are eating right now. Part of the cranking hit or miss on Barkley right now is probably partly due to in some part to more of the keeper fish being black crappie than in the last few years. I get it that yall catch a few blacks on crankbaits and that is all well and good but I don't think cranking is probably the best technique for targeting blacks.

Originally Posted by pab1981

...Part of the cranking hit or miss on Barkley right now is probably partly due to in some part to more of the keeper fish being black crappie than in the last few years. I get it that yall catch a few blacks on crankbaits and that is all well and good but I don't think cranking is probably the best technique for targeting blacks.

I believe this to be true. I haven't caught a black crappie yet while trolling.

Originally Posted by pab1981

Don't misunderstand me though, the number of crappie, on Barkley especially, aren't what they were a couple years ago. Any time your in a down cycle like now the chances of running into them will be less. But the ones that are left are eating right now. Part of the cranking hit or miss on Barkley right now is probably partly due to in some part to more of the keeper fish being black crappie than in the last few years. I get it that yall catch a few blacks on crankbaits and that is all well and good but I don't think cranking is probably the best technique for targeting blacks.

How do you fish for crappie? Are you typically vertical jigging this time of year? Do you spider rig?

Originally Posted by redearhoosier

How do you fish for crappie? Are you typically vertical jigging this time of year? Do you spider rig?

I single pole fish for the most part, not talented enough to manage a bunch of rods.

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