Whats the pole of choice for getting these fish out of the pads? I am getting thump after thump but having a hard time setting the hook on these shallow fish in the pads.
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Whats the pole of choice for getting these fish out of the pads? I am getting thump after thump but having a hard time setting the hook on these shallow fish in the pads.
Rookie 40 I like a quality 11 foot rod. I ust to use a 10 foot rod allot but i have found a couple of rods that give me and extra foot of reach and the same light feel of a 10 foot rod. In my experiance most rods over 11 foot are just too heavy for me for a full day of fishing. Don't mean I wont use a 12 foot rod ( i have a couple) but over all i like 11 foot. I am using a B-M Bucks Original 11 foot and a rod I also like called a Fire Cast Pro X11 pro series Crappie rod. Both rods are around 34 dollars the B-M u can get at Academy and the Fire Cast I got throught Patton's in Cabot. I use Triple Fish Camo #6lb or Spider Wire Super Mono in 8 lb lb test but has a 4 lb diameter. These combo's have busted some nice slabs out of the pads for me.
Ohh yes I forgot that one. Pick me one up Midnight when you go to bass pro, I'll give you the money before you go or however you want to do it. Yes Rookie 40 check out the Wally Marshall slider 11 footer from bass pro. I like that rod allot my Partner has been using one and it is a nice rod too. Don't be fooled by the yellow color LOL. Thing about that rod it's hard to find them Locally.
CP are you getting many hits that you miss a fish on in the pads? I had a couple when I was there. Really solid thumps but no fish. I actually saw 2 of the fish I caught hit and both were really aggressive charging strikes. Made me wonder if the the thumps were just fish narrowly missing getting the bait in thier mouth.
soswine Thats exactly what im getting. I havent had this much trouble in the past years but this year its about to wear me out.
i like the 11ft ozark designed by tony edgar try to bend the hook out where it aint even with the eye of the jig head i do that and seemed to me i caught alot more but you cant get them all
I use a Brush Cutter 11'. I sport the camo model this year. When you have to pull that slab out of cover this rod does the job.I use berkley big game mono 8lb.
BillyE
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Yes Soswine I get allot of hard Thumps that I miss. It happens allot Bream, Goggle eyes, little crappie and those pesky lil Yellow bass can fool you very often and they get right in those pads with the crappie. I have no doubt that when you drop that Jig in they brush the jig and miss it or they spit you out before you can set the hook. I pretty much go with the set the hook any time i feel something suspicious rule. Most times it's a hard thump or heavyness that almost feels like a snag and then quickly turns into a nice wobble on the line. (meaning Slab Crappie)
I don't give em that long either to hit if i drop it in and aint got thumped pretty quickly i dip in the next spot after 5-10 seconds.
like we talked yesterday russ those sickle hooks will help.
Yes Sickle hook will help hook setting leverage and help from losing fish after hook up. Most your false thumps tho are a fish thumping just the tail or skirt of your jig and not getting it's mouth over the hook.
B & M brush cutter - tune your hooks
i have been jig fishing over 30 years have used about ever jig pole made but last year i found the best jig pole i ever held in my hand now i have 4 of them 1 10ft, 2 11ft and a 12ft. i have seven fishin buddies now using them also and they agree its the best they have ever used. it is a homer humphreys signature series crappie getter. it has precision balance and is the ultimate dippin jig pole. they are 39.95 ea. or if you by 3 they are 36.95 ea from grizzlyjig. try one of these and it be your last.
Hey Meatgetter - I think I'll get one this spring at their show. Thats a great price and you can never have enough poles. You can get a better price at the show if you can wait. My wish list is getting big.
Thanks for the info guys.
Hey Creek - Your not kidding! Those guys are great. Every time I go to Reelfoot I have to stop by. If your looking for a rod they have them. They also have tips for most rods. That will save you alot of money. The spring seminar is great also. Last year there was 6" of ice and snow but we still went. I just ordered my 4 new Pro Staff Trollers from them.