We are having a dry, cool, windy summer here that has really knocked the crankin in the head. We don't have the big flats like you guys are targeting and we rarely ever see any thermocline. I typically run close to main lake channel drops in 18-30 feet of water and push dropper rods with 100s, Flicker Shad,549s, Arkie cranks, and pull 200s, 300s and c55s.

That said, here's my scenario: I and others have noticed lately that we are losing several crappie while skiing them back to the boat. We are also getting a lot of hook-ups that stay on for just a couple of seconds and then are gone. Many of the crappie we do get to the net are just barely hooked. We normally see the crappie this time of the year hooked deep with the bait being mostly swallowed and no way to get the hooks out without pliers. I normally troll at 1.7-1.8 but have tried going up to 2.0 or faster and have dropped back to 1.4-1.5 and haven't found any difference in the strikes or hook-ups. It's almost like they are just swatting at the bait, not attacking it. This is being seen on c55s with #4 hooks to c549s with #8 hooks and all the other factory brands from Bandit, Berkley, etc.

Got any ideas or things that have worked for you guys in the past? I'm seeing huge baitballs starting recently but the fish caught aren't stuffed full of bait.