Help in clear, infertile lakes in south, ms

[Pessoney]

Please offer your suggestions for the best way to fish clear, infertile waters with limited crappie populations. I have tried and enjoyed pulling cranks with F115 and 200 bandits;however, this time of year I'm trying to become a better long liner. I try long lining with 1/16 oz. rr above and 1/32 oz. below, both usually with bobby garlands and tipped with minnows. As many of you old salts say, nothing but time on the water will help me master this. So far, limited success. My buddy in North La. (D'arbone) says all I need is to spider rig with nothing more than a split shot above. When I try this, invariably, the wind doesn't cooperate and my lines don't hang vertically. Is it acceptable to run and egg sinker above a swivel and below a piece of fluorocarbon and jig to combat the wind? I like the idea of long lining because it seems that it has advantages in windy situations, thus I'm trying to learn it. What I'd really like to know is how would you guys fish the infertile, clear, limited crappie population lakes in south ms? Yes, I realize the panel on here is dominated by ya'll that fish central or North Ms, but I'd still appreciate your input on best approaches in these lakes down south. Thanks for any input. Frustrated, but too hard headed to quit.

[tritonman]

egg sinkers are perfectly fine. I personally ise split shot in 1/2 or 3/8 from show down lures that way I can adjust quicker

[BigRiverMarine]

Go to N. Ms.


BRM 870-635-0202

[Minnerman]

It's according to several factors. How deep are these lakes and how clear are you talking? If they're shallow lakes, then try casting to em with a cork and jig. With the weather we've been having, most of the shallow, clear water has warmed up enough to run the fish shallower than you might think. We caught em in the grass last weekend in Lake Tuscaloosa. But we also caught em deep and our best method of catchin the bigger fish, was to cast to em. It killed me not to spider rig em, but the water was just too clear for the depth they were. Even at 10' deep they would spook. Hope this helps.

[4THETHUMP]

Come to barnett that won't be a problem . These fish breath mud up here . I think casting would be your best bet . Or the cork with a jig .

[Pessoney]

Thanks for the responses. I can't cast to them, because I don't know where they are, even when they move up. I'm still in a search pattern, or am interested in mastering a technique in these clear lakes that would favor consistentcy. Not looking to load the boat each time, but consistently put a few crappie in the box. As far as the depths in these lakes I'm describing, the deep water would be 12 to 15' maybe. Should I stay in the deeper water due to clarity? Thanks again for any responses.

[Minnerman]

These depths should mean warm water rather quickly. I would cast with a cork and jig to the banks. I caught some Monday using this technique in a clear water slough. Fished about 18"-24" deep. I use the 2 3/4" weighted snap on cork. The extra weight lets me cast farther so I don't hafta get so close to em. Plus it's a ball to catch em like this. Try the Slab Bandit Jokers Wild, River Cane or Blue Razor with a Red 1/16 oz jig head.