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I have always just tied a 1/16 oz jig straight to my line and added a splitshot to get to my desired depth. What are some other ways to present your bait to the crappie and how does it work and why. Thinking of getting into tourneyments this year and I need be more versatile on my fishing methods. Thanks
And what benefits are there to tieing your jig with a loop knot how does this affect your jig in the water other than it being more free
some say the loop knot is the way to go ....i do know with braid it works very well when fished tandem ....
dual presentations dancing if you will in unison emulate baitfish movements well ......
i am one of those that never puts split shot on my line but i do have a bud or 2 that do it to fish real deep ....i mostly drop one jig at a time with an improved clinch knot
my favorite method of presenting jigs to crappie is under a float at various depths ...i always use a pinch on and most of the time its a thill
good luck to you on the tourney trail ....
There is a ton of geat information in this "Stickie" at the top of the forum where many have shared their tips and techniques.
http://www.crappie.com/crappie/main-...ups-beginners/
As a general rule, I would not add a split shot above the jig. I would just use a heavier jig.Quote:
Originally Posted by fishbrain
do you dead stick the jig ? I tend to tie knots in my line adding weights and trying to jig .Quote:
Originally Posted by fishbrain
About the deepest I fish a single 1/32oz or 1/16oz jig is 30ft down. I don't use loop knots, but tie direct to the jig with a Improved Clinch knot.
I don't add a sinker to the line, except when casting/swimming a jig on my rod/reel with braid. The limpness of the braid and stiffness of the rod I'm using can hide some light hits, but the addition of the sinker magnifies those light hits. But, for the most part, I only use the braid outfit for casting Roadrunners & Whirly Bees around cover.
When using a single jig, alone & without extra weight, and casting or shooting docks ... I use hi-vis line and become a "line watcher". I want to "see" the line jump, and not necessarily "feel" the strike ... reason being, I don't want the fish to feel any resistance when it sucks that bait in. I just want to see the line react to that strike, whether it comes in the form of a slight single jump in the line, a sideways movement in the line, or sudden slack line (knowing that the jig cannot be on bottom). I don't add weight because I want the jig to slowly descend & glide through the water.
... cp :kewl
U can put a boober on and it will present the jig where u want it no split shot. I use this method alot. I go from 12" all the down to 8ft. Once u get the strike u are near the strikezone. Even just straight jig and line. I prefer sexy shad clear jigs any day rainbow glitter. And if its not cheating at the tournament, get crappie nibbles on every jig. I caught 3.5 lb crappie on clear jig. Good luck at tournament.Quote:
Originally Posted by fishbrain
Quote:
Originally Posted by CrappiePappy
Your last paragraph is the way I fish. I have found that most times you don't feel a big fish hit. They just suck it in and either the line will go slack or move side ways. Sometimes you will just feel some weight.
I fish jigs vertically almost exclusively . I never understood folks adding weight between you and the fish (jig). I use 1/8 oz or larger all the time .When fishing extra large baits or deeper I use 1/4 oz . I also normally use bigger tube baits which can slow the fall of light jig heads. Another advantage of heavier / larger jigs is it allows you to use bigger hooks . Also the jig can help you feel whats under the water and it is easier to shake it loose if it is not too light when you hang up.
I believe if your in contact with your jig almost 100 % of the time then you don't need to line watch. Anything picking up or hitting the jig will be noticed on a sensitive jig pole . Tie my jigs with clinch knot on 8lb test with a tiny barrel swivel tied inline about 18'' up just to stop line twist . That way swievel does'nt interfear with clinch knot holding bait horizontally . I always say Crappie do not nibble but inhale a bait and if line is tight that is where the thump is felt . You don't feel it if line is loose many times . Anytime I feel a bite or don't feel my jig I automatically lift the pole . After lots of practice you can learn what a fish feels like verses cover (brush , stumps , ect.)
I just starting using these little clips and my catch has improved. Here is a pic of a RR attached to my line. Makes it easier to switch jigs out.
http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/16/01...5c05ecd066.jpg
Gotta try it I change alot. That's why there made and I have tons of clips,never use em
I use those clips 97% of the time to rapidly change lure, color or jighead weight.Quote:
Originally Posted by metalcutterr
Attachment 225519
they make a little tiny clip for fly fisherman that is super nice for quick change overs .....i used them one time
they are tiny though and you need good eyes to see em ....LOL
I agree with Nimrod. I fish with 1/8 and 1/4 most of the time in winter. In spring or shallow water I will go with a 1/6. I use nanofil with a 2ft leader and swivel. Get a better thump with this setup.
I fish a 1/64 ounce jig for a lot of my fishing. I will at times add a size B split shot to help with casting distance. If using NanoFil I will have a fluro leader and no split shot. But....here is why using a split shot above the jig is not a good idea...IMHO....and why I have 1/32.....1/24....1/16......and 3/32 jigs made with an #8 hook. I read a great crappie article several years back that said if you have a split shot 18 inches above the jig that the fish could inhale the jig, and move 18 inches up or sideways, and you may not feel it. Now that is all theory......I have never seen any video of that but it sounds plausible to me.
Regards
There are times when fish will not hit large baits,Quote:
Originally Posted by deathb4disco
I add weight on a regular basis in the winter months when the fish become finicky and want very small baits 1/32 - 1/64 and are in deep water with great success , but rarely if ever add weight for any other reason , staying in contact with the lure is very important when vertical jigging!!
I found some of these as well, it seems like a good idea but I ended up spending more time trying to get the tiny clip through the eye than it would take to retie. I retie after big fish or when my line is roughed up anyways so clips don't really make sense for me. Love them for crankbaits though.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ketchn
I pretty much use horizontal jigs,tying directly through the eye with a loop instead of cinching the knot tight will allow the jig to hang and move better.I do use clips on occasion,they will generally allow the horizontal jigs to act like the loop tied.
To me it depends how I'm fishing. If I'm vertical fishing then I use a loop knot, this includes casting a bobber as it is still a vertical presentation. If I'm casting jigs which I do during the spring time then I just use a clinch knot strait to the jig as I've found it doesn't make much difference. I've never seen the need to add a split shot other than when I'm spider rigging deep.
Well guy's after reading all of the different methods above, it seems to me that anything will work as long as you have faith in the method.
GOOD FISHING!!!!!!
^^^^ This!! Confidence in your presentation is #1.
Why do fisherman think in the winter time you have to use small jigs? Do you eat small amounts of food during winter, and when spring comes you go back to eaten big foods? If you are hungry does it matter what size bite it is? Try telling that to a Pit Bull during the winter.
Maybe we are the ones that put crappie on a diet during winter, and not the crappie...just saying....:dono
Metabolism !Quote:
Originally Posted by crappie cowboy
Why do fisherman think in the winter time you have to use small jigs? Do you eat small amounts of food during winter, and when spring comes you go back to eaten big foods? If you are hungry does it matter what size bite it is? Try telling that to a Pit Bull during the winter.
Maybe we are the ones that put crappie on a diet during winter, and not the crappie...just saying....
Big big difference in warm blooded mammals and cold blooded creatures like fish. Matter of fact their metabolism goes way down and does dampen their behavior as to size of bait. Also key in on what the fish are feeding on at what specific time of year. A little research will reveal that like here in Ohio. When the lakes freeze over the panfish go on a daphnia ( water flea ) and other organisms some that are microscopic. So us ice fishermen try to get as small as humanly possible to " match the hatch " so to speak. Another good example would be fly fishing. If the fish are surface feeding on #16 midge chances are a size #8 fly is going to be ignored.
As a more commonly used tactic when those pannies get tightlipped under the ice. I rig a size # 18 or # 16 dry fly hook as a dropper above the main jig which is say an 1/80 oz. The dropper line is @2# test. I hook one single maggot for the smallest presentation these old 68 year old eyes can somewhat see. This old trick has saved me from suffering a fishless day many times.
I know about metabolism, but some fisherman think, like 1/24 oz. and so on. I can catch winter crappie on 1/16- 1/8 all the time. I just think people over think winter fishing....jmoQuote:
Originally Posted by Yaker
After Jan 1st most crappie are on a diet so they look good for the spring. A lot of people don't know that.Quote:
Originally Posted by crappie cowboy
I would offer you need to pick about four or five lakes or bodies of water that have good crappie populations within an easy drive. Find out everything you can about the most effective methods to consistently catch about the best bag of fish you can boat during a regular tournament time.Fish with other people who have some skill on that particular lake,learn the techniques and best fishing places at what time of year. Spend a couple years just focusing on how to be among the best fisherman on those bodies of water.You need to learn at least four techniques.
Then...take what you learned there and then get involved.All the while following what is happening on the tournament trail. Always seek out local knowledge about the body of water your headed too.
No, no I did know either, thanks for the heads down....Quote:
Originally Posted by ppowell
You are right. CONFIDENCE is the most important weapon in your tackle box. The second most important weapon is PATIENCE.Quote:
Originally Posted by johnboy1
Ship -- I think those are important too. But I believe knowledge is the very most important tool that we can use. For instance trying to apply warm blooded creatures response to conditions to a cold blooded creatures response. A warm blooded create normally has to increase caloric intake to survive colder weather. Exception being mammals that hibernate. Cold blooded creatures decreases their metabolism. Even the alligator , normally a ravenous animal, becomes lethargic , during a cold spell. Not saying one has to be a genius to be successful at fishing. But knowing your opponents behavior in all fields often leads to success.
Anyone that has ever ice fished and has done so successfully can attest to the value of downsizing your presentation.Example you can have all the confidence and patience you want. But if you are fishing say a 4 inch grubtail on an 1/4 oz jig beneath the ice in Feb. Your chance of any kind of success is darned near 0. On the other hand if you are using a 1 inch tail on an 1/80 oz jig. Your chance of success skyrockets all things being equal.