Newbie Advice

Good Morning,

I'm a total newbie at crappie fishing and looking for some advice on where to start. My boat has a trolling motor and power poles. I've tried slow trolling some jigs in lake monroe with no success, and people have told me to wait until winter and hit the lily pads. Is it too early to do that, or is the recent cold snap we had enough to get that action started?

Any newbie tips are welcome :)

Now to mid March they will be moving shallow to spawn. Pads and wood will all be likely places to look. You mentioned you slow trolled Monroe, likely trolled to slow, 1.15 - 1.38 is sweet spot and sometimes faster. But them fish on Monroe this year were moving around almost day to day. Cant say I caught a bunch 2 weeks in a row in same areas.

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Originally Posted by huntinslabs

Now to mid March they will be moving shallow to spawn. Pads and wood will all be likely places to look. You mentioned you slow trolled Monroe, likely trolled to slow, 1.15 - 1.38 is sweet spot and sometimes faster. But them fish on Monroe this year were moving around almost day to day. Cant say I caught a bunch 2 weeks in a row in same areas.

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I was trolling about .7mph, which is what I had seen on some YouTube videos.

I think hiring a guide on our boat might be worth it, if that's a thing in fresh water. I know hiring a guide down on the keys to go out on our boat and teach us how to chase mahi and snapper was the best $$$ I've ever spent on fishing.

There should still be plenty of fish to be caught on Monroe. Along the manatee markers in front of Methodist Childrens home to Old Power Plant and along the channel from OPP to main channel at marker 8 is a good path. Also the 8' line in front of Stone Island and Smokehouse cove to City Island marina is another good place to look. Pitch 8 lines out turn on trolling motor and run the batteries dead, you will find em. Watch your gps and try and hold between 1.3 and 1.38 mph. !/16oz jighead with a couple different color plastic grubs on and run.

If you have trolled for Mahi it will be an easy transition, spread looks the same just much smaller baits and long poles to achieve seperation instead of outriggers and clips.

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Originally Posted by huntinslabs

There should still be plenty of fish to be caught on Monroe. Along the manatee markers in front of Methodist Childrens home to Old Power Plant and along the channel from OPP to main channel at marker 8 is a good path. Also the 8' line in front of Stone Island and Smokehouse cove to City Island marina is another good place to look. Pitch 8 lines out turn on trolling motor and run the batteries dead, you will find em. Watch your gps and try and hold between 1.3 and 1.38 mph. !/16oz jighead with a couple different color plastic grubs on and run.

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Thanks! Sounds like you're suggesting jigs, not minnows at that speed I would assume?

Any color jigs I should start with? I've always used glow and chartreuse for trout, not sure if that translates to crappie?

U know I need outriggers on my cause I have all short poles lol, 3 clips each rigger w/ ultra light clips should do the trick

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Originally Posted by jj1987

Thanks! Sounds like you're suggesting jigs, not minnows at that speed I would assume?

Any color jigs I should start with? I've always used glow and chartreuse for trout, not sure if that translates to crappie?

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I use no minnows longlining. White/Chartreuse, Black/chartreuse, blue/chartreuse and red/chartreuse would be good starters along with pearl and glow.

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Originally Posted by Taterlicious

U know I need outriggers on my cause I have all short poles lol, 3 clips each rigger w/ ultra light clips should do the trick

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not sure a crappie could snap a release clip.

I'm making a funny lol. I'm trying to imagine a flats boat with outriggers on it. People say " who day over there?" Other people say " oh that's Tater trying to catch speck, wahoo style"

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