What am I doing wrong?

Let me start off by saying I am new to hunting out crappie (previously focused on large mouth) and I have only targeted the crappie on Lake Tarpon. I have gone out three times and only got two fish in the boat (1 fish two separate trips and one skunker).

I am fishing 6 rods (5-12' long) spider rig style. All 6 rods have dual jigs of various colors and sizes tied to 4lb mono (3 different colored lines). They are fished at various depths according to what the plotter is showing.

On several jigs I have tipped them with crappie nibble or some other item like gulp minnows, grubs, or worms.

I have been drift fishing trying to keep my speed about .6mph as the lines tend to drag backwards if I go any faster. Depending on wind direction, I have started my drifts in the NE corner in about 10' of water and drift back towards Anderson Park. I also tried the SE end and drifted back towards the middle of the lake.

Last two times out I have been on the water before sunrise and start fishing for crappie as the sun rises until about 10am and then put the crappie rigs away due to a lack of production and then go searching the large mouth again. Usually off the water no later then 2pm.

Due to my early starts, I have not used any live minnows (bait shop does not open till 7am) and I am sure live bait would help out tremensously!

I figure the crappies should be going shallower to spawn soon, but with our unseasonably warm weather and warm water temp (yesterday water was near 75) I guessed they would still be deep waiting for the cooler water.

Anyone have any advice for this nearly skunked rookie in an effort to help me bring some home for eating or better yet, figure out what to do so I can get myself and my 11 year old daughter on the crappie for her to bring them in?

Thank you in advance and have a safe New Years.

Greg

EDIT: Sorry for the length of the post but figured the more details the better.

Greg.... You're gonna get tons of advice and you'll be pulling em in no time.... You didn't mention how big your weights are on your tight lines or maybe I missed it..... I use 1/2 oz but most folks use a little heavier.... I also run singles with no tipping and no live bait..... The speed will vary but this year they seem to want it faster..... Try 1 to 1.5 mph..... As far as depth, I start by fishing 1/2 depth and then maybe go deeper of shallower..... Most of the time i tight line. Stay tuned and I'm sure some of the big guns will share some info with you. Good luck.... Happy new year!
Mike

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Originally Posted by Speckanator

Greg.... You're gonna get tons of advice and you'll be pulling em in no time.... You didn't mention how big your weights are on your tight lines or maybe I missed it..... I use 1/2 oz but most folks use a little heavier.... I also run singles with no tipping and no live bait..... The speed will vary but this year they seem to want it faster..... Try 1 to 1.5 mph..... As far as depth, I start by fishing 1/2 depth and then maybe go deeper of shallower..... Most of the time i tight line. Stay tuned and I'm sure some of the big guns will share some info with you. Good luck.... Happy new year!
Mike

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I am using jigs 1/16 and 1/8 oz with no added weights to the lines, this is why I been drifting slow as the lines tend to just drag behind me above .6mph. Sounds like I could add some weight to the lines to help keep them down or go with a heavier jigs.

As for tipping the jigs, I had about half tipped and half with nothing on them.


BTW thanks for the reply and tips!

When you said spider rig style, I assumed your off the front of the boat pushing the poles.... If you longlining ignore my weight suggestion....

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Originally Posted by Speckanator

When you said spider rig style, I assumed your off the front of the boat pushing the poles.... If you longlining ignore my weight suggestion....

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Correct. Off the bow pushing.

You might want to add more weight to keep them down or increase speed and let out more line. At a certain speed your jigs will hit bottom depending on how much line you let out, the more line out the deeper the jig. Decide what speed you want to pull. At that speed when rod tip starts bouncing you know you are hitting bottom. Practice, practice and then practice. try not to get discouraged. You are in productive areas.

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Originally Posted by Yelim

You might want to add more weight to keep them down or increase speed and let out more line. At a certain speed your jigs will hit bottom depending on how much line you let out, the more line out the deeper the jig. Decide what speed you want to pull. At that speed when rod tip starts bouncing you know you are hitting bottom. Practice, practice and then practice. try not to get discouraged. You are in productive areas.

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Assume add weight above the top jig or does it matter above or below top jig?

I always use 1/2 oz. above. 18" or so with swivel between sinker and leader. Slide sinker on main line, tie on swivel, tie 18" or so leader, tie on jig(s). Tip with nibble or minnow. This is not a trolling rig. If you want to troll or longline as some call it, remove sinker.

Hey Greg,

I see you finally found the Florida forum. :ThumbsUp I was kind of in the same boat as you less than a year ago, even though I have fished all my life. Florida Lakes are very different, than the ones I used to fish. I never fished much for Crappies either, so I have a lot to learn.

There are many guys and gals on this forum that will give you plenty of information. Even better, if you could hook up with someone who fishes Tarpon.

I'm having the time of my life, thanks to this forum and ALL the helpful folks.

Good luck and Regards,

pescador aka/ Marv

When you are fishing are you seeing any fish activity in the area close by? Any sign of shad or any other baitfish? You could be doing everything OK just not where the fish are. If I am not seeing activity close by I head other directions in search of. Watch the shorelines, is there small minnows fleeing for their life? If so head shallow. Cant offer much on your technique as you have been given some good advice and I typically longline or single pole.