Summer spider rigging questions

I have finally gotten a decent multi-rod set up for spider rigging. I am trying to figure out patterns for spider rigging in the summer, and what to look for.

Do most people look at creek or river channels during this time of the year? And is brush or other structure key to finding fish during the summer? I am not sure how deep is too deep to fish, and if I should look for brush or structure around ledges or dropoffs or at areas actually in the creek or river channels.

I fish in a lot of different places, but lately I have been on the warrior river (bankhead), Logan martin, and lake Mitchell. I am not looking for particular spots, but appreciate any advice that can help me to figure out how to put a pattern together. Thanks

Crappie are notorious for suspending in summer time, often in open water. I use my fish finder looking for two things baitfish and the depth of fish. Often you'll find most fish at a specific depth. I then start plowing water looking for what color works best. While Crappie seem to more often be along a creek or river channel, their depth may be very shallow. Crappie always move up to take a bait, never down. If you're a foot deeper than the fish, they will never see your bait. When you make a turn spider rigging always watch for two things. Outside rods will move faster and shallower while inside will slow down and drop deeper. If you pick up fish on a turn it may give an indication of needing to change your speed or bait depth. I also always tip my jigs with Crappie Nibbles. Sometimes that little bit of scent makes all the difference.

I'm no spider rigging guy but look for humps and ledges if they have cover it's probably better.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app

Thanks for the advice. Im gonna keep at it and see if I can get lucky. I've never been good at catching many crappie during the heat of the summer.

Might be worth checking shallow to I caught some a few weeks ago in 8ft in the back of a creek. This you they have stayed up in some places

Sent from my SM-G965U using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by lowe175

I'm no spider rigging guy but look for humps and ledges if they have cover it's probably better.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app

---

:hesaid

I fished yesterday afternoon at Lake Mitchell for a few hours out of Blue Creek. The water was 88 degrees on the surface. Only caught a couple crappie and a couple catfish, all after about 630, but it was better than I have done lately. I have never fished Mitchell a whole lot, but I am determined to learn how to fish it. One of the crappie I caught just off a big hump near the river channel, about 20 ft. Another I caught on the edge of the river channel where it came in close to the bank, about 17 ft. I marked a few trees and some other brush but didn't catch any fish around em. Gonna try it again next week.

About the only times I push jigs or long line jigs/cranks is during pre spawn, post spawn and the fall transition periods. Summer time hot water, deep brush piles in creek channels or on main river channel ledges 20-30 fow.

Watch for baitfish and thermocline.


Sent from my iPhone using Crappie.com

Don't get too discouraged spider rigging in the summer, it's one of the toughest time of the year for any method.

Employ an umbrella as well and dream of cooler weather. Try not to think of spider rigging as a sport but more of artwork... Slow and methodical.

Sent from my E6810 using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app

I'm definitely going to keep at it. I appreciate all of the advice. I am probably going back to mitchell Sunday morning to keep working on figuring it all out. Once I get some more equipment, I want to play with pulling cranks too. There has been a lot of helpful info on this thread.