Jigging Lesson on Rayburn

Got a call last night from a guy in Beaumont, said he needed some weight to hold down the back of the boat and wondered if I was available. I bundled up this morning (could of used another bundle till the sun started to shine) and met him at the boat ramp.
While I was trying to thaw my fingers out he started fishing and catching Crappie. I thought I had watched him pretty close but he was catching Crappie and I was catching green carp. I was doing the same thing he was only different I guess. I got real good at opening the live well for him. Now I was catching something so I was happy as if I had good sense, well I finally caught a couple Crappie. TOO SHORT on both counts. Then it happened!! I caught a real live keeper, with the stretcher on it, it measured 10 1/2".
We fished on bridge pilons and brush piles. I left a few jigs on each just to help hold them in place, more in the brush piles.
I sort of held the guy back because it was obvious to me he knows his way around with handeling a boal and jigging. He was very patient with me and showed me a lot about jig fishing and I am sure I will learn to enjoy myself using jigs only.
We ended the day with him boating 16 keepers and I am not to mention the one that got away at the boat because he didn't wait for the net so I won't mention it. I managed 5 keepers. He shared some of his with me so we have a nice mess of Crappie to get me back after them.
The fish were above the brush piles being caught while I was stuck deep in the brush piles. They were also 3-4 cranks off the bottom in some places. Now once I can get this jigging figured out I can give you a more accurate report.
Just want to thank bthomas for the invite and the lessons today. I learned a lot and appreciate the time on the water with another C.commer. Catch you on the water. Ferdi aka Fred:D

Thanks for adding the weight to the brush piles, I sure would hate to see them float off. Did you figure out what he was doing different with the jigs? Thanks for the report, J.A.

Thanks Fred I really enjoyed the day. Look forward to getting together again.

JA

Don't think I was doing anything different with the jig than Fred. I could not figure out why every time he got a bite it was a bass and mine were crappie. Made no sense to me. The biggest diffence on the brush piles was that I was not afraid to get down in the brush with my bait and if I got hung up so what. Fred tried to stay just out of the brush and just does not work. Also you have to have a feel for what your bait is doing down there and it takes some time to acquire that.

Bthomasq3, I understand that. I have weighted a lot of brush down with jigs. I can not pass up a chance to pull Fred's leg a little. Those Crappie can hold tight to brush, this time of the year. The other day on the river I caught four off a stump, every one was in the front of it four inches out. You moved it any other place and no bite. I just told my brother in law "if you are not getting hung up you are not going to catch fish" Thanks to both of you for the report. I have a place on the lake in Broaddus and was wondering what was happening at the bridge.
J.A.

WPJ I heard that same thing from bthomas, if you ain't gettin hung up you ain't catchin fish. I was a gettin hung up now maybe next time out I'll catch the fish.
We had a good time and I learned some new things, the main thing is not to be afraid of getting in the brush. On my holes I can find that easier to do because of fishing them for so long but this hovering around the brush pile is totally different than what I am use to. It will take some time but I'll get it down.
I'm saving up for one of the 101 lb. thrust Trevvors with all the dodads to see if I can better stay on the piles with my pontoon. If I can't get that down then I might have to get another 16' wide bottom boat. I just have trouble getting up and down in those boats. All the guys pulling my leg over the years have it messed up. hehehehe
Give me a holler when you come up. They are on the bridge. Ferdi aka Fred

Good report. Congrats on the catch.:)