Speed was the secret today

Went to Logan Martin and got a limit of 30. Today my trolling speed was key. When going .6 to .8 mph I was catching them pretty steady. Don't know if they wanted that for presentation or was a depth thing. I'm guessing depth but not sure. If i trolled faster didn't get a thing, plus the bite was real weak. You pretty much had to grab the rod fast when you saw a hit or you missed them. Normally long lining they pretty much are caught once they bite, but today you had to set the hook a little. Almost every keeper fish today was exactly 11", which is great by me. The perfect eating size. Fished from 6:30 to 1:30 but about an hour or so of that was spent playing with stripers. Seagulls were dive bombing so I yanked in the rods started the big motor up ran over there and trolled with my crappie rods thru them for awhile was a blast. Keep two for dinner and they are in the oven now.
Best color 1/16 oz red head and black/chartreuse body. Depth was 10 to 15 feet and water temp was 46. 3 turbines were running.

Nice catch. I haven't fished Logan Martin but after seeing some of your post I may have to start.

Good report. Man you've been tearing them up. Giving me the fever

Nice catch good job!!

May I ask what lb test you are using? I tried long lining after your first post and drug 1/16th jigs through what looked like endless clouds of baitfish over three hours and never got a whiff. Also, may I ask how much line you put out? My set-up is basically like yours with various length rods (16', 12', & 8') on either side of the front of the boat.

Best regards,

WOW.....Great catch....now I got the itch to go! But with all that delicious Crappie, why did you settle for Stripe for dinner? Lol...:biggrin

I let out about 40 feet of line. Good hard cast back and then I pull the rod forward a few times before setting the bail. I use 6lb test. If you don't catch anything after two or three runs you need to move on to somewhere else. You will not always have to see shad. Last two times I've been I was seeing hardly any shad. This time of year just try 12 to 15 feet of water in bays and coves off the main river. By February you should be able to catch them in most bays and coves. The secret is to keep moving I am driving now looking until you find them. It's a little harder on Logan Martin this time of year because you don't see many others long lining. But when u do see others just join in that's what I do. For example last year one day I was in 12 feet of water catching them real slow and a boat went by me and started trolling in 6 feet of water. I followed them in and caught 20 crappie in about an hour. Never would have went in there if I hadn't seen them catching fish. Basically you have to search usually when u find them you should be able to catch them there for awhile then they will start moving in shallow between now and march. What area are you fishing?

I have been fishing the lower end in the Clear Creek and Rabbit Branch areas and concentrating on 10-15'. I usually keep my eyes open looking for you but have not been on days when you go. I went last Thursday with my on and caught a few fishing minnows over brush but they were few and far between. That's when I decided to try long lining w/o any success. I didn't plan on long lining and had my spider rigging poles with 10lb test on them but ran them back at least 75 feet to compensate. I will get my spare spools with 6lb on the boat next time. I plan on going this week as weather permits. Thank you for the helpful information.

Fret 99,thanks for all the info especially the speed and length you put out, wish we had you up here on Guntersville(the big G) as the Long liners here are a tight lipped bunch it seems when questioned ,especially type of area and location which I understand no one wants a community hole made out of their honey hole, but its hard to get much of a general response from them. Your comments have given us at least something to try although the big G is a lot different than Logan M. My buddy and I have been trying to learn it over the last year and its been a lot of trial and error with the fall still stinking as far as long lining goes and the late winter early spring 100% better. We know there are a lot of Long liners on the big g here we just hardly ever see them on the water as we are limited to being weekend warriors .

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Originally Posted by Snapperking

Fret 99,thanks for all the info especially the speed and length you put out, wish we had you up here on Guntersville(the big G) as the Long liners here are a tight lipped bunch it seems when questioned ,especially type of area and location which I understand no one wants a community hole made out of their honey hole, but its hard to get much of a general response from them. Your comments have given us at least something to try although the big G is a lot different than Logan M. My buddy and I have been trying to learn it over the last year and its been a lot of trial and error with the fall still stinking as far as long lining goes and the late winter early spring 100% better. We know there are a lot of Long liners on the big g here we just hardly ever see them on the water as we are limited to being weekend warriors .

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Hopefully when I get my boat setup for longlining and trolling we can help each other out on the big G. Right now it's just vertical jigging for me!!