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I mainly fish with minnows and have occasionally used jigs. I really don't have any confidence in jigs but wanting to change that.
My question is, that when you guys start out fishing, how long do you wait to change colors if you havent caught anything?
Thanks for the info in advance
Tom
I don't change colors . Presentation is more important than color most of the time . Ever see bright colored minnows ? :dono Need to get a guide or a mentor to get you started jig fishing .:twocents
I start out with minnow look alike jigs and if no go, I change to a flashy jig- With chartreuse and some color. I also keep 3 poles rigged with different colors and shapes. P.S- I always use and add Crappie Nibbles.
I second the getting someone proficient with jigs to help you. My confidence in jigs is because of the help of more experienced jig fishermen helping me. Also, when fishing minnows, do you change minnows or look for a reason why they are not eating what you present? Depth, speed and location, location, location. Gotta get the bait in front of the fish for them to eat it.
Chris
Usually you can catch a few fish on about any color, but allot of the time there will be a specific color that they seem to key on more, I choose my colors based on water clarity and weather it is a sunny or cloudy day , bright colors early and late , dark colors midday and on cloudy days, if your not catching any fish your probably fishing where the are no fish or using the wrong presentation, experiment with colors when you are catching them and let the fish tell you what and how they want it, fast,slow, still, on the fall, coming up etc [emoji226]
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Every jig fisherman has their preferred color and it isusually due to past success with the color. Catching crappie on jigs isreally no different than catching bass on spinnerbaits, worms or jigs. Start with a color you have confidence in. Confidence in your coloris crucial. On the other end, don't be afraid to try something off thewall. One of my favorite colors gets a laugh from most when they seeit. I just pitch it back in and catch another fish.
chartreuse/black, blue/white, red/white, are usually good colors in most lakes that I fish (murky water).
Find someone that jig fishes a lot to give you some tips.
My go to's: 1/16 oz lead head on #4 hook, Bobby Garland Baby Shad colors Cajun Cricket, Black Night, Baby Bass, Gumdrop/ Crappie Magnet colors Dude Special, Bulldog, Tennessee Shad, Midnight Blue, Bison/ Kalins Stinger Shad colors Arkansas Shiner, Tennessee Shad. Honestly, if I don't catch fish on the Dude Special, it's probably time to go home. I have a friend who tries at least 10 different colors during a fishing trip, but I usually just stick with what's working. I'm hard headed. Good luck with jigging. GTT
Thanks guys. ..good info
This ^^^^Quote:
Originally Posted by NIMROD
FWIW, I haven't used minnows in about forty years.
I usually fish a good 30-45 mins before i think about swapping but if its a hole i know normally have fish i will swap before i leave it. I always keep two poles rigged for quick swap. I fish mostly murky waters and agree with arkcrappie on colors but i also do good on black/yellow
I also keep a casting rod with a jig that has a clip on spinner for when i am having trouble finding them.
I feel that time spent changing baits most of the time is time you should be fishing catching fish . I proved to lots guys colors like any dark / chart work about everywhere . We were fishing and my tube was ripped off the lead head . I said watch this .:Rofl Dropped that unpainted lead head into the brush where we were catching fish . Bam , another good Crappie . I drag no minners , only jig pole and well over 90 % of the time I use same bait and color . :ThumbsUp
All I need is electronics to find the cover or bait . Crappie usually near by .Quote:
Originally Posted by cordb
Us poor boys have to use poor boy ways lol. Actually looking at electronics now.
I agree that jig color is not at the top of the list, getting your bait in front of the crappie is the most important.
If I do change colors, I switch to a completely different type color like going from black/blue jig to a white/chartruse. If they don't like dark, or light, then it just aint a good fishing day, or you're not on the fish.
to the original poster, trying to learn...Don't be afraid to try different things, something will stand out, and you'll be able to learn from experience off of that. Keep learning and trying, and eventually you will have your own baseline to go off of. Get a decent light action or ultralight to cast and a decent jig pole. After that just try to wear them out, and you'll have a better understanding about what works on your body of water, and what equipment you like or dislike.
If you havent already done tgis, take a look at Dennis' post above in the sticky section, titled "The proverbial artificial bait question." There is a lot of good info from someone who knows a thing or two about jig fishing.
I must confess. I'm a Trawler. I do use jigs, and I do feel the Thump by putting my hands on my rod racks. Color is a major factor when trawling. I switch until the fish let me know what they prefer. The tough part is getting the pattern when the fish don't bite good. My presentation is simple-- Fast, Slow, or Slower. [emoji12][emoji23][emoji23][emoji23]
Southern Pro Purple/Chartreuse umbrella tubes are good!!! [emoji4][emoji23][emoji23]
Would agree with NIMROD on this. Finding the fish and presentation are the key. Most times I'm either White/Char or Blue/Char bright orange jig.
Most times there are 4 jig poles all rigged the same in my boat . Most can tell you what that is . :biggrin Can I ask for a on second on confidence with my main bait , several on here are using it even if they don't admit it . :RoflQuote:
Originally Posted by cordb
I don't know the secret bait of which you speak :yikes. I can attest to the Nimrod Specials. The purple and chartreuse Southern Pro Umbrella Tubes on 3/16th oz jigs work. I have seen fish flying into the boat two or more at a time. It's time for me to resupply.
I got a feeling that special bait is called spanky lol. Speaking of which i need to pick up a few meatgetters myself
I just use my Lucky Hog jig and fish just jump in the boat,,,, Go Hogs!
That is pretty sweet looking jig!Quote:
Originally Posted by Takeum
i use 1/8 oz jigs .:biggrinQuote:
Originally Posted by slackline
Spanky is back up when fishing deep for winter time on deep lakes , but do work real well fishing brush piles . Nimrod Specials as some call them are Southern Pro Umbrella tubes in purple/chartreuse rigged on insert type unpainted 1/8 oz jig heads .Quote:
Originally Posted by cordb
Remember this post ? I caught a good one on a Nimrod Special with someone else's jig in it's jaw already . http://www.crappie.com/crappie/main-...8=#post3231419
I missed that one. Been a while since i been on. Between work and a baby my fishing got slowed down to a near hault but she is a little bigger and work schedule is back to normal so im hoping to spend a lot more time on the water this year. Never seen those jigs before may have to snatch up a few packs for myself. What size hook do you use on your jig heads?
On the 1/8 is #2 hook .Quote:
Originally Posted by cordb
Top professional crappie anglers around the country use minnows to catch crappie and win titles and National Championships year in year out, when money is on the line the best in the business know how to put big fish in the boat , not just your average local who thinks he's the best in his own mind but afraid to put his money where his mouth is when there's a tourney on his home lake every year because of the fear of being embarrassed and proven wrongQuote:
Originally Posted by NIMROD
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Presentation is very important in the winter months when the water temp drops. I can say with certainty, there is an art to catching crappie consistently on a jig in cold water. It's not for everyone. When guiding on my local lakes, the first thing I ask a client is how much fishing experience they have. If they are beginners, I will rig all the poles for minnows. When the temperature gets into the mid to upper 50s and the fish become more aggressive, don't think presentation is as critical. If I was going to teach someone to fish with jigs, it would be pre spawn or spawn. Confidence is key especially with beginners and kids. I always thought if you had a black/chart jig in the box, you could catch crappie anywhere. Found out that's not always true. Been coming to Arkansas for over 20 years fishing with family and on one particular lake, you better have something red/chart. On a second note, I always have minnows in the boat. If I was fishing for 7 big fish, I will guarantee there is gonna be some minners committing suicide.
I knew that, but apparently there is a short between the brain and fingers sometimes. :donoQuote:
Originally Posted by NIMROD
Chris
I feel the real fishermen should fish like the bass guys do instead of dragging a wall on minnows . .Bass guys would laugh you off the lake it you wanted to use a bucket of minnows . I think tournaments are for bragging rights , except for a few of the top guys spend more than they will ever win . :Rofl I fished with minnows back when you was a pup and don't care to do that these days . I catch all the fish I need to and those fishing with me have a good time that is what matters . If you can't catch more dragging 16 minnows over fishing a jig and jig pole you need to take up golf . :RoflQuote:
Originally Posted by Crappie Greg
I could careless about bragging rights or trying to prove im better i just love to get out there and enjoy God's creation and catch some fish so i can have a fish fry with the family.
You just a legend in your own mind and that's your problem, always bashing what others do if it ain't what you do, can't teach an old dog a new trick but can kick his ole butt anytime you feel like it , I will take you own anytime you feel froggy on your lake , just me against you single pole jigs only , what have you got to loose , you've got all your own brush sank , your retired and you been fishin the lake since I was a pup ,you also use the only color fish can be caught on, you have the advantage [emoji239]Quote:
Originally Posted by NIMROD
I have to have Minnie's to catch fish I just choose too
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Fishing is for fun and to take people out to have fun . You young boys go play your games .
Hate to break the news to you but I'm as old as you are. Don't understand why there is only one way to catch fish. I would never degrade anybody for the way they fish. Don't think that's what this forum is about. Unreal that people get upset when somebody does it different than they do. Wow !Quote:
Originally Posted by NIMROD
Some spider riggers don't mind pushing minnows right up on the end of your poles . I see dead fish floating behind them real often here . Minnows on that many hooks winds up killing lots of fish that swallow hooks .Quote:
Originally Posted by TimY
There are many great fishermen on this board, some I know, some I don't know, but I can tell by the pictures and results of different tournaments that you guys are really really good at catching crappie. I have been blessed to have shared a boat with some of the best fishermen in the business. I fished with Steve, luvpt, trolling, I fished with Terry Blankenship, casting to suspended crappie, (he also fishes professionally with no minnerz), and Nimrod, vertical jigging. These 3 guys are as good as I have ever seen at what they do. I do not mind sharing what I've learned from being in the boat with Nimrod. The first thing I learned several years ago now is that he has a method that works. He don't mind hard work to help the fishing be better, building countless bunches of cover. I've fished his technique on local waters and on different water across the state, and it has worked time and time again, and usually produces my bigger fish, such as the fish below. Those two fish, both well over 2lbs were caught last year on Dardanelle the day of the CACA tournament. We would have been spider rigging with 16 minnerz, but we had done it all week and had run out of bait. Because of running out of minnerz, we caught the biggest fish of the the week while single poling Nimrod specials in brush piles. Thanks to my buddy CA for showing me a little about jig fishing, and making me not be intimidated to go to the lake without a minner in my boat. He does give me a tail kicking every time we fish together. He usually ends up throwing back slab after slab waiting for me to catch a limit. The last time we fished together, the first fish I put in the live well, he fished out and threw it over the side:Rofl. He said we were gonna do better than that, and he did not lie. Last year, while fishing my boat which had minnerz in it, he was kicking my tail so bad, he went to the back and got a minner for me to hook on.:Rofl By the way, he still kicked my tail. Thanks for the fun times ole buddy. Hope to see you soon. I guess what I'm trying to say is that it is my opinion that if I want to learn a specific technique, I look at who is successful at doing it, and try to copy that as close as I can.
Quote:
Originally Posted by RCC
Thank you buddy , always a pleasure fishing with you or Carol and you . You can use my jig poles if you will leave Carol's pink jig pole for her to fish with . :biggrin
Don't forget about me. You ran over me at Washington. That ought to be worth at least a mention. [emoji23][emoji23][emoji23][emoji23][emoji23]Quote:
Originally Posted by RCC
Is it getting warm in here or is it just me? BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA
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