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I would think that spring and fall would be the best time. Summer, winter switch to tightline. or you change depth in summer, winter. Is it still productive in summer in mornings and late afternoons are best? What have you seen or what adjustments you make? I know some of you are real pros with this. Trying to apply this to Lake Wylie fishing during the day. I al looking for those seasonal patterns and what adjustments you make. :fish
Thanks
I have had years where I longline year around and you can catch fish all year doing it but you will have to learn to change depths, jig size and colors often to catch them. Tight lining in the coldest months in the deep water is the way to catch em. In the heat of the summer you best go very early and change over to brush or dock shooing. You always can try cranks :) I'm about ready to start myself.
If you fish regularly enough and can keep up with where the fish are holding then you can adjust your way of thinking and catch crappie longlining all year long. I never try longlining in water more than 20' deep (the channel may go deeper) and can almost always find fish throughout the summer. During the hottest months of summer the fish will be near the top feeding at daylight but as the sun comes up they will shift and start hugging bottom so you gotta get your jigs down close but if theyre still in a feeding mood theyll come up some for them. Just read your electronics and learn what it's showing you, keep your jigs right above them, and you'll catch fish.:ThumbsUp
Oh, most importantly....if the fish in the area youre in wont bite then MOVE. Dont waste your entire morning trying to catch fish that you see on your graph that wont bite.
CK, I don't do a lot of longlining but when I do it is in spring time and fall when the fish start moving in shallower water. On windy days I tightline or drop shot when I find fish closer to the bottom. Winter time I drop shot or tightline because fish are deeper. Now that you have your I-pilot you will be able to hover over your fish with anchor lock. You will be surprised how many fish you will catch because you are not moving and having to try to mark them and come back to them. But this is me and how I do it. But I nightstalk more than day fish so I am no pro at longlining but you have a good plan already with what you mentioned. Just winter time is harder because of depth of fish and them hanging closer to brush. As Stump Hunter and gabowman said above it's just keeping up with them and where they are. You will be fine it takes a little practice and experimenting. I have never got to sit in the back seat I just drive and net the fish for my friends who are having fun. Just ask Uncle Remus....
I LL year round (my favorite method) but switch it up at times by pulling cranks or doing some single pole and shooting docks, depending on my moods. During the hot summer months, I LL deep (20+ fow) by using heavier jigs or letting out more line as that's where the fish are during the heat. Early morning is good and then the bite dies off by 10 or 11am, and I go home to avoid the heat. LOL I almost have to drag bottom during the summer months but can pull up some nice ones at times. My home lake is known for one or two big ones and then shorts and dinks, but catching is always better than fishing. LOL