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  1. #1
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    Default Bridge Crappie 101

    I have several friends that do not like bridge fishing for crappie. I have a few friends that love bridge fishing for crappie .
    So its like fords and chevys with the crappie people best I can tell you .
    I am of that opinion that it matters not me where when or how I ketch crappie I just like to ketch crappie .
    So if its sunny and hot and they are under a bridge so be it ,lets pitch a jig is my thought .
    first thing you need is a way to hold still enough near columns to concentrate on ketchn fish .
    lots of the guys I know tie up and it works well if you can keep the boat of the columns .
    second thing that will help you is look at that graph and see where in the water column the concentrations of fish are holding .
    third and very important is measure your line out carefully to a depth that's a foot or so above the mother lode .
    the next thing that's important is DO not use a jig heavier than you need to present the bait .
    this part is often critical as a meandering slow senseless bait fish is more likely to get bit than a fast jerky one .
    a heavy jig will be more likely to look like a pass it up bait than a light jig that's floating around
    now mind you some of the tips I am offering go against traditional methods and to be sure I have buds that whack plenty with a heavy jig
    another valuable thing to do is drop a tandem about a foot or 18 inches apart to cover more water column and also look more like a small school of baitfish
    often times bridges have cross members at a desirable depth for crappie and they tend to load up on them and many times just under them as an ambush point .
    pitching your set up out and letting it fall back to them often gets a bite as it reaches that desired depth as well ,so don't just always drop the set up straight down the column , this isn't a natural way a baitfish comes into a strike zone in most cases .
    finally if you find a herd and they wont bite pretty quickly , try another column or 2 .
    many times one column is so so and or not good at all and the next one is on fire .
    last thing I think matters a lot is the shade side is typically the best spot in the darkest shade and the downwind or current side of that particular column or crossmember is probably the best place .
    10 to 16 foot down in waters 25 to 35 foot deep were real good the other day when we went out and it was good times for sure.
    tandem 1/32 number 6 hook with shad body baits in a dull chart with pepper flecks in it ,NO scent required .
    only kept a few for someone that asked us to and only hit the bridge for a little bit around 6 30 pm to about 8 pm
    hopefully you get to use some of this advice and do well using this info .
    luck to you on your next trip
    sum kawl me tha outlaw ketchn whales

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    Love your reports and your casual, yet effective, approach to fishing for crappie and is one I aspire to. I get so caught up in the periphery and not focusing on just enjoying the catching. I seem to worry about what everyone else says catches fish and not in the years of my own experience. I really enjoy your posts as it brings back the basics for me. Blessings.


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    Quote Originally Posted by dhaire View Post
    Love your reports and your casual, yet effective, approach to fishing for crappie and is one I aspire to. I get so caught up in the periphery and not focusing on just enjoying the catching. I seem to worry about what everyone else says catches fish and not in the years of my own experience. I really enjoy your posts as it brings back the basics for me. Blessings.


    Sent from my iPad using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app
    I just want to ketch them , small ones are ok with me , numbers is my game typically .
    lots of bites and I am happy , a big fish once in a while is nice ,but I have a want to ketch all of them .
    sum kawl me tha outlaw ketchn whales
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  4. #4
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    Thank you again for an outstanding write up Ketchn. You and a few others on here keep me focused on ketchn, instead of just willy nilly flailing the water with stuff and ways that don't produce. Thank you.
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    Bridge fishing rocks, and with today’s electronics they cannot hide. 1/32 jigs dropped in their faces are the way I target them also. I have found that a light to moderate wind helps turn them on to feeding, maybe it does in your neck of the woods also. Great pics and report, really enjoy the wealth of info on this site.
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    Excellent tips!
    I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.

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    Good stuff! Thanks Ketchn.


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    I'm one that don't like fishn structure I can see above the water just because it gets beat to death by almost every passing boat......I stay on bigger fish by fishn the hidden treasures beneath the surface and is just a confidence thing with me.....
    However I do take lunch breaks or run from rain storms under bridges and yeap I'll drop a jig down there for a thump.....

  9. #9
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    Good info.What color baby shad is that?


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    Quote Originally Posted by Jackson87 View Post
    Good info.What color baby shad is that?


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    I have not clue on that bait color other than it wasn't extremely bright chart and it did have lil pepper flakes in it .
    a custom bait mfg. sent them to me to test in a bag with 2 or 3 of several different colors in it .
    a little on the soft side though and they got tore up pretty good .
    sum kawl me tha outlaw ketchn whales
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