Fishing around bridge pillar

I don't have a boat but have a kayak which allows me stay close a bridge pillar to fish. Typically, I would tie my kayak to the pillar by rope and vertical jigging around the pillar.

I have fishing a few times this way. The most I caught one time is about 6 keepers. I am sure I can learn a lot from pro here.

To start, I have several questions.

How do you fish around such structures?

How do you find the right depth and maintain at that depth?

How do you select you jig and lure (I don't want to use live bait)?

I would appreciate that you provide a general guideline or scenario to approach this type of fishing.

I will probably more questions when I read your answers and comments.

Thanks!


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After circling around the pillars & casting down the sides/ends of them, I usually will start "Vertical Casting" those pillars (especially the down current ends).

Here's an explanation of "Vertical Casting" : Crappie Pappy Article

Nice article! CrappiePappy.
I will give vertical casting a try next time.

Couple more question:

I saw some people use double jigs on vertical fishing. Does that increase your hook rate?

Jig color. The bridge pillar I am fishing for is about 35 feet deep. Quite often crappie is suspended on 20 feet deep of water. Would jig color matter at that depth of water? I wonder whether crappie can still see at such deep water under bridge which pretty much blocked all the direct sun light.


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Do you have any electronics to see if they hold fish ?

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Originally Posted by parfume4

Nice article! CrappiePappy.
I will give vertical casting a try next time.
Couple more question:
I saw some people use double jigs on vertical fishing. Does that increase your hook rate?
Jig color. The bridge pillar I am fishing for is about 35 feet deep. Quite often crappie is suspended on 20 feet deep of water. Would jig color matter at that depth of water? I wonder whether crappie can still see at such deep water under bridge which pretty much blocked all the direct sun light.

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I think double jigs on any presentation method would probably only give you a 10-20% boost in "possibility" of more bites. I'm not sure if that would equate to any greater hookup rate :dono

As to the color at that depth ... it's hard to tell for sure. Even if the color does wash out at that depth ... the silhouette of the bait and the pressure waves given off by its movement will let them know it's there.

You might give a slip bobber rig a try. That way, you and make incremental adjustments to the depth of you jig to see where they are at.

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Originally Posted by NIMROD

Do you have any electronics to see if they hold fish ?

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I do have an entry level fish finder(Lowrance elite 3x). To my opinion, it is only useful for knowing the water depth and temperature. I never caught fish according to the indicated depth of fish ID on this fish finder


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[QUOTE=Crestliner08;3416618]You might give a slip bobber rig a try. That way, you and make incremental adjustments to the depth of you jig to see where they are at.[/

Agree that slip bobber is a way to control depth. Never liked using it. Maybe I was not using it right. Any tips to share?


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Another question I have is about the fishing line. For this scenario, 6 lbs mono or 10lb braid+leader, or just 10lb braid? What is the thought behind your choice?


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Put a thill bobber stop on your line and tighten it just enough it will slide good up and down the line. Slide the knot up to the depth you want to try.... then just move it up or down to try different depths.Hold the knot at the water line and you know how deep you are...with the exception you have to detract some for how much your line may be affected by current. You don't need a ruler just use your reach to figure it. Your height is about equal to your reach.Just use like a 1/16 oz jig head but keep a few sizes of split shots and if you have current add a shot up the line a couple feet and only as much weight as you need to keep it pretty straight. Get you an assortment of paddle tail and tube jigs and put a crappie nibble on the hook. And don't always be moving it...they like you to hold it still a lot of the time.

And don't waste your time fishing bridge pilings if it ain't working. Sometimes they aren't worth a hoot. Sometimes they are but don't try to beat a dead horse...if they ain't there they ain't there.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by parfume4

Another question I have is about the fishing line. For this scenario, 6 lbs mono or 10lb braid+leader, or just 10lb braid? What is the thought behind your choice?


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Any of the three would probably work, I'd just use 6lb test if it was me.

I've Vertical Cast in 30fow on the ends of blowdowns, with 1/16oz jigs & Panfish Assassins on 4lb test ... felt the thump and came away with fish. Only reason I use 6lb test now is I have my custom made weedless jigheads with a #2 Aberdeen hook ... and 4lb test don't always pull the hook open when I'm snagged, it just breaks too often.

do I understand you to say that you have your sonar unit set to fish id? If so turn the fish id off and use the unit in the sonar mode only. I fish bridges often and have found that fish do see color differences at those depths in my opinion. I almost always use 2 lures usually with a 1/4 oz spoon on the bottom and a 1/32 oz tube above it. I catch a lot of fish on the spoon and the weight of the spoon will help you detect bites on the jig.

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Originally Posted by crappie wrangler

do I understand you to say that you have your sonar unit set to fish id? If so turn the fish id off and use the unit in the sonar mode only. I fish bridges often and have found that fish do see color differences at those depths in my opinion. I almost always use 2 lures usually with a 1/4 oz spoon on the bottom and a 1/32 oz tube above it. I catch a lot of fish on the spoon and the weight of the spoon will help you detect bites on the jig.

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Thanks for the comments. I guess I am new to crappie fishing. First time to hear spoon fishing for crappie. What type of spoon do you use?
I am also wondering how the weight of spoon help detect bait.


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The line is held tighter so it transmits vibration better.

Attachment 265098

This is is for deeper water. I have a different one I use under 12'

I use silver spoon in clear water

Quote:

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Originally Posted by crappie wrangler

The line is held tighter so it transmits vibration better.

Attachment 265098

This is is for deeper water. I have a different one I use under 12'

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Thanks for the photo.
We use similar spoon for white bass fishing.
I guess you use different color for different depth.


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This is off of the 1/4 oz mold. I use them down to 65'. Just jig in much smaller motions and you will get crappie.