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If so, I would be very interested in meeting there and getting some info/advice in person to help me get up and running in my new hobby. It would be a great place to look at and talk about gear/tackle/colors/rigs/presentations that work in Oklahoma waters. I don't have a particular time in mind, I am pretty open, although I do plan on hitting the Boat and RV Show at the Fairgrounds sometime this weekend as well. Heck, I'll even buy fudge there for anyone who volunteers! :)
Wish I was there but just drove the opposite way. If someone doesn't help you out, I will be back in town Monday?
I'm no expert and don't think I'll be able to make it there this weekend. Sorry.
Forgot to mention, I am no expert!! But I would try to help you out!
Jon, I'm solid locked up this weekend. Maybe we could meet during the week sometime when you and Redge could both get it in your schedule. I'm retired so I'm easy. BTW, I stay away from those Boat and RV shows. That way I'm satisfied with what I've got.:fish
Shoot...I just got home from Bass Pro..FAR from an expert...but I have learned a Ton from the guys here. I may be back up there and could help you out a little. I will let you know. Just went and got new reel for my new Bonehead rod. Yeah Boy!!!!!
I know, Right? It's tough when you see those pretty and shiny new ones sitting there. Luckily, I really like my Tracker Pro 16, although the live well is WAY too small for all the fish I am going to be catching...Haha!!Quote:
Originally Posted by IkenI
Don't listen to these guys Jon. They ARE ALL experts!
I know that's right LOL
Made my trip and bought a bunch of goodies! I ended up buying three Crappie Maxx 11' poles (they were on sale) to start trying my luck at spider-type jigging/trolling. I had the choice of light or ultra-light. I bought the light action on the recommendation of one of the guys working the fishing area, but not totally sure that was the right choice. I got the feeling crappie fishing wasn't his main fishing activity. What do you guys think? Should I have gone ultra-light instead? I have no problem running back over there tomorrow to exchange.
I know a lot of people like the 14'-16' poles, but I just couldn't bring myself to get poles that long. It's not like the water clarity around here is super-clear anyway, so hopefully I won't need to be 16' back from a school of fish to catch some.
Jon I am going to chime in here and remember it's an opinion. We all have one ok. I spider rig and use the 12' Crappie Max Tight Line Rods. They are pretty stiff which is what you are wanting on a rigging pole due to several factors.
#1 and most important is you want your rod to handle some weight without a lot of bend. A wimpy rod with weight will bounce violently with the bounce of the boat in choppy water. This is not a natural presentation of your offering.
If you are going to fish rod in hand they should work ok. With rod in hand you can allow with your arms for the rough water conditions. Hope this helps. Again it's just an opinion but it's mine........Ranger
Jon, I agree with Ranger on those rods. I've used them for a couple of years (although I don't spider rig often.) I have four but usually just set out three when by myself. Now that I have WW42 as a partner I think I'll pick up a couple more rods. That way we can use three each up front. I have heard good things about the BnM PST rods so might consider getting a couple of them to go with my Crappie Maxx Tightlines. Regardless, whichever ones I pick up I think I'm gonna go with 14'. I am pretty accustomed to handling the 12 foot ones now so I think I'll try the longer ones out front of the trolling motor. It did take me awhile to get used to the 12 footers so I wouldn't start out with anything longer than that. Thunderbird is a good place to get some spider rig practice in.
Ah ha! In my mind I was expecting lighter would be better so you could detect subtle bites. It didn't dawn on me that the extra whip in the tip of the pole would affect presentation. That's what I'm here for...to learn! I will be keeping my rods (probably only use 3 to 4 at a time) in holders, so wave action would come in to play. Excellent info guys, thanks! I will jump on Bass Pro, Academy, and Dick's websites to check out the Crappie Maxx Tight Line rods and the PST's.
Well, I grabbed one of my new rods and I mislead myself a little bit. The rods actually say "Power - Light", "Action - Moderate". Does the previous replies still apply, or is this actually ok? Sorry for the confusion, guys.
If you see something you like the price of. Write it down and then check with me. I have been known to beat a price or two. :biggrin Either way, welcome aboard, hang on, and we hope to see you at one of our tourneys before to long.
Bobo
Jon when it comes to rigging poles lighter is never better. You can take it from me I have had 3 sets of 8 rigging poles just to get what I wanted. Lighter is not better. No matter what it says stamped on a rod it's cost effective to listen from others misfortunes. I would not go with a lesser rod than the Tight Lines. Just my $.02 worth....Ranger
Amen to that, I have not paid attention to the listed "power" on a couple crappie max purchases from bass pro and am currently making due with one rod I like(stiff), one that is OK(moderate) and one that stinks(flexible). I like the crappie max 10 foot (power: light) (action: moderate) the best out of the rods I have tried at bass pro. When looking at crappie max rods you have to look at both "power" and "action" listed on the rod.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ranger09
Yes Sir, I defiantly agree! I just wanted to make sure you knew exactly what I had, since I made the mistake of originally saying I bought 'Light Action' rods. I had to look at them a second time before I realized it was the 'Power' that was listed as 'Light', and the 'Action' was actually listed as 'Moderate'. I didn't know if your response would have been different knowing that. I am definitely listening to your advice and researching to Tight Lines as well.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ranger09
That is exactly what the ones I bought say, except mine are 11 foot. So the consensus seems to be avoid the term 'light' printed anywhere on the pole. Go with stiff. I really appreciate you guys helping me get straight!Quote:
Originally Posted by Fishers
Ranger, do you pull jigs with those same 12' poles?
Fishers if I was going to have the rods in a rack while pulling the answer is yes. They are stiff enough to handle 2 big jigs with plastics to handle that technique. I prefer rod in hand myself so I can feel the thump. That's what it's all about anyways. So with that said again a wimpy rod while pulling puts to much strain on your arms and elbows so I personally use the Huckabee Meat Dragga in 10' or the Huckabee Pulling Rod in 11'. Both are excellent Rods with Medium Heavy and Medium Actions. You will be surprised just how much difference in weight a single 1' can make in a full days fishing and pulling baits.....Ranger
One more tidbit of info is I am Working with BoneHead Tackle and developing a 10' Med Action Rod that will be Carbon Fiber with a 22" cork handle that will be an awesome rod for pulling and fishing tight brush. Excited about this rod and can't wait to get them on the water. So stay tuned and will post my results and thoughts when we get em on the water in the next few months.......Ranger
Fishers we pull with 10 ft jigging rods. I use huckabees 10 and 11 ft. Mark uses the same and the 10 ozark jeavy jiggng pole. EB
I have been using my 10 footers double-duty, pulling and spider rigging because I didn't want to invest in four more 12' rods when I started spider rigging last year. I prefer holding over spider rigging also, but sometimes it is just so effective. I have one crappie max 12' rod, but it is just too limber for me. The same rod in 10' is OK but add that extra 2 feet and it is just too much bend. I would prefer 12' rods or longer for spider rigging if I could find them stiff enough and under 60$ a rod.
Fishers check our Monk's they usually have very good deals on rods. Another tidbit if you get a quote on a rod BP will honor the same price I was told......Ranger
Ranger, I don't know where or what your Monk's are. :donoQuote:
Originally Posted by Ranger09
Sorry Fishers, Monk's Crappie on the web. I should of proof read before I posted..Hate posting from my phone cause its not really reliable with auto correct..lol..Ranger
Fishers, Monks Crappie has the Tight Line Specials in both 12' and 14' for $49. I believe they are $60 something at BP..They will honor any advertised price I heard at BP..jst throwing this out there for ya.....Ranger
Went back to Bass Pro today and exchanged the original Crappie Maxx rods I bought for 3 new Tightlines (the yellow and black ones with the yellow tips). Man, I like the feel of these. Hopefully that will result in a positive fish count soon. :) Again, a BIG thanks to Ranger, IkenI, and everyone else for the help! I sincerely hope I can share the water with you guys one day.
Any advice for how I should rig them to get started? I was assuming two jigs per pole (or two minnows). Should my weight be below my bottom jig, or in between the two? I have seen videos both ways, but I just want a simple approach to get me a couple of fish in the boat so I build a little confidence. I'm guessing determining how heavy of jigs to use and how heavy of additional weight to keep the line verticle depends on water depth, current, and winds. Also, when you guys are using jigs, do you typically tip them with minnows? I look forward to the day when these decisions are second nature! :cool:
Thanks Ranger, I will check them out.
Not sure there"s a definite right or wrong way. Me personally , when I'm using 2 jigs or hooks on a line, when I add weight its always between them and a little closer to the bottom jig/hook as this seems to keep them from tangling together as much as they drop down. I rarely put a weight at the bottom of the line. As for the simplest way to start, I would start just using 1 hook/jig and then graduate to 2+. Less hassle with possible tangles etc. starting off and yes I've tipped jigs with minnows. There's really no 1 right or wrong way. Ive experimented a lot since I started crappie fishing and still try different ways now!Quote:
Originally Posted by Jon The Buddha
Like Boat I am not sure there is a right or wrong way. Personally myself when spider rigging I fish the weight on the bottom of 2 hooks 14" to 20" apart. Fishing with weight on the bottom if allows the weight to bounce and unhook the hook if tangled in wood. A few weeks ago I fished with EB and we fished 4 rods rigged as mentioned above and 4 rods with the Capps and Coleman style rig with the weight in the middle. It was my observation on this day the Capps and Coleman method out fished the other. Only guess is that the bottom hook with minnow allowed that bait to move around more creating a bite. With jigs the same works but with no weight and use a jig weighing from 3/16 to 5/16 oz.......Ranger
As always good info Ranger. One thing I should have mentioned is 95% of the time my rod is in my hand. One of these days I need to go with someone that spider rigs, etc.! Still learnin!
Thanks for the advice, guys. I really appreciate the help!