
Originally Posted by
rlsiv
DMW,
I catch quite a few crappie when the bite is soft like this by letting out a bunch of line (7-8') at a time and letting it spool on top of the water... then my single split shot with a minnow veeeerrrry slowly pull the line down with them - and if it stops after (for example) about 8', and I know I'm in 40' of water, I know its either in a fish's mouth OR my rig is sitting on top of some cover. Either way, I'll quickly take up the extra slack and give a little hook-set after feeling for tension.
Usually only works well when it isn't too breezy.
I've also fished with a slip bobber and seen it start to move ever-so-slowly to one side or the other but NOT bobbing downward. Symptomatic of the same thing. Take up the slack and give a hook set.