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I do not have a trolling motor at the moment but I am interested in trolling for crappie...All I have is my 15 hp outboard, Do you guys think it will work if I just throw her in idle and just start trolling around the banks for them?
What is the ideal speed to long line troll? I have no rod holders on this boat because it is my duck boat so will just jimmy rigging them in the boat work?
Has anyone long line trolled for crappie in wateree with success?
Lake Wateree is a great trolling lake. Yes you can troll with the outboard and probably catch a few. Without rod racks you will be limited to only a couple rods at best. Speed is what's critical. With outboard, your limited to one speed and it will probably be fairly fast as far as crappie trolling goes. You will most like be limited to shallower water where jig depth isn't critical.
Ideal speed according to conditions is .8 to 1.2 when using a trolling motor
If the fish hit the banks then almost any speed will do to catch a mess of fish as long as the jig is in the water. Just remember....there's no stopping when a rod hangs. Just break the line and keep going.;)
I long lined there most all day today. Never had a tap. Worked river channel, creek mouth to creek back, deep shallow, 1/8-1/32 jigs different colors with different plastics tipped with minnow, some not. Vertical jogged by bridge. Talked to a fella that had his limit in 2 hrs YESTERDAY but hadn't had a tug all day today. Water temperature at 0800 was 52 water temperature at 1400 was 62. Wind was not much of a factor, fish just seemed to have lock jaw.
I have used a 9.9 to troll jigs with but had to use driftsocks to get the speed down to 1.0 mph. The motor turned all the way down would still push my boat at 2.0 mph. Like Gabowman said if the fish are shallow this speed will be find for shallow fish in depths of say 5' & less.
Just a heads up how you can control speed if it is to high. (BUT) at the faster speed crankbaits would be good to try. Something like a Bandit 100 with shallow running speeds. Hope you can get something to work out for you, good luck.
I remember Rango posting that back before the term 'Longlinigng' ever come into existence he used a small outboard with a shaved prop to troll for crappie. He had shaved the prop until he finally got the desired speed to catch fish. They also mae a flap that folds in behind the prop to slow your speed. Something to consider....