How many of you chase shellcrackers in late fall going into wintertime?

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Originally Posted by skeetbum

I’m far from an expert but I’ve had some success with them this year. I’m dragging a dark colored jig just above the bottom in areas that I believe they’re bedding. If I catch any at times there isn’t a full moon close by it’s usually just one or two by chance. I’d love to have the secret that kept me on them all the time, they fight stronger than any other.

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I agree, the fight is a bonus to the great meal they make.

Sent from my SM-S908U1 using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app

I fish like a kid, worm or half a nightcrawler on a #6 hook with a split shot 8" above the hook and drag across the bottom. This week I found them in ten feet of water. I haven't seen them in the big lake I fish but the smaller electric only lakes have good populations.

Around here lakes with lily pads usually have some decent redear. Gills seem to outnumber them at least 10-1 but when you hook a decent redear you know it's one before you see it because they will test your drag. I use a 1/48 duck jig with a #8 or #10 jig hook tipped with a Berkley power wiggler or waxworm.

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One of the better ones over 10” that I caught around a full moon a while back. I love these things!

not sure why , but we lit them up in a pond yesterday ,jigs tipped with worms ,and they outnumbered all the other fish that bit about 4 or5 to 1 ? :highfive

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I love chasing panfish of all types. Who am I kidding I chase all types of fish and usually am fishing for what ever I can beg to bite.

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You said it all right there! The right lures used the proper way in the right location(s) always have the potential of catching whater has gills and fins from 4lb suckers to the smallest fish you ever caught. The more fish of any one species in a body of water, the more of them you are likely to catch.

LOCATION LOCATION LOCATION - #1 That's what patterns are all about and they can vary from week to week, seasonally and from one water to another.
examples of two location patterns:
lake #1
fish were found in the channels and off the edges of large, dying lily pads. Depth 6-7'. Open water - forget it.

lake#2
fish were found mostly in open water in 7-8', half way down (nothing special about the bottom). Trolled to a spot and anchored when fish were caught in a certain direction. Picked up anchor and repeat when fish were found again.
Depth per the sonar and direction of the rod fighting a fish in open water on a windy day no less!:
Attachment 439648Attachment 439649

What lures were used: the same ones I cast all year long? : soft plastics on light jigheads.

How presented: slow with pauses

Fish caught: 3 species of sunfish, a few crapppie, small bass, y. and w. perch and one large pickerel. Total catch since last week between the two waters/ two outings? 59 fish per my counter.

The only way to target fish is by using lures that either fit in their mouths or don't. If I wanted to target bass, the lures would be on the large or heavier side; if I (like you) want to catch any size fish that can be provoked into striking, small to medium size lures get it done.

Lure design is very important regardless of water temperature. My aim is to use whatever lure has the most action on the slowest retrieve. These little buggers and many like them were chomped on by different fish species.
Crappie Magnet tails:
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Attachment 439640Attachment 439641

Another lure had some tube tails attached:
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Both tail shapes quivered with least action applied or movement.
These and other lures with the same finesse action sometimes got struck 3 x on the same retrieve.

Hope the above helps in some way or another.

Can also hook a red wiggler on a hook (just on tip of the worm , do not worm on )with a #3 split shot a foot or so up the line . Drag this over likely spots .Attachment 439795