I Was Just Stubborn

For years I fished for crappie exclusively by vertical jigging in brush piles with long rod and minnows. At times I would spider rig with bugs and minnows. I finally tried casting various jigs to brush piles and other likely spots (docks as one example). Well, I'm a convert. While there are times vertical jigging will work, I was severely limiting myself by using that method exclusively. I'm posting this in case there are one or two others who are restricting themselves as I have done. I credit watching Richard Gene (on You Tube) for opening my eyes.

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Originally Posted by Gansett

For years I fished for crappie exclusively by vertical jigging in brush piles with long rod and minnows. At times I would spider rig with bugs and minnows. I finally tried casting various jigs to brush piles and other likely spots (docks as one example). Well, I'm a convert. While there are times vertical jigging will work, I was severely limiting myself by using that method exclusively. I'm posting this in case there are one or two others who are restricting themselves as I have done.

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White Flag Icon I was one of those guys too and I didn't even do anything if it wasn't close to the bank where I could see the wood! Its a whole lot more fun now doing it many different ways for sure! There are many ways to catch a slab now for sure! :cheers2
Rick

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Originally Posted by Gansett

I finally tried casting various jigs to brush piles and other likely spots (docks as one example). Well, I'm a convert.

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Bless you, my son. Congratulations on your “road to Damascus” experience.

I grew up casting jigs. I was probably thirty before I saw somebody who was not casting for crappie.

I'm very addicted to the Thump which intensifies when the pole and jig are static. I cast meat fishing but we have a tremendous amount of wood to vertical fish and great crappie populations. Casting in the rivers swimming the bait back with the tide really works here. On the Rez I rarely see someone casting the upper part especially above the Hwy 43 bridge. Mostly spider rig anglers.

Glad that you’ve seen the light. Now when the fishing gets tough, downsize into the realm of 2lb test and learn how to finesse them into coming home with you. And remember that elephants eat peanuts. I’ve caught many 2+lb crappie on my little jigs under 1/32 that were cast into their bedroom.

Glad that you’ve seen the light. Now when the fishing gets tough, downsize into the realm of 2lb test and learn how to finesse them into coming home with you. And remember that elephants eat peanuts. I’ve caught many 2+lb crappie on my little jigs under 1/32 that were cast into their bedroom.

That's exactly what Richard Gene said. I'll be trying it for sure.

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Originally Posted by Gansett

That's exactly what Richard Gene said. I'll be trying it for sure.

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"Fishin' is a Sport Second to None ~ And That's All They are to it Right There." - Richard Gene the Fishing Machine

I have never vertical jigged for the little buggers yet, Ive just always casted from shore and boat with great success. However now that I have my first real boat, 16' instead of my 8' bass hunter I am gathering up the parts to make a spider rig and give that a try. also looking for my first fish finder as well.

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Originally Posted by wc870

I have never vertical jigged for the little buggers yet, Ive just always casted from shore and boat with great success. However now that I have my first real boat, 16' instead of my 8' bass hunter I am gathering up the parts to make a spider rig and give that a try. also looking for my first fish finder as well.

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Not to hijack the thread but I’ve found that spider rigging can get into some tackle that doesn’t do well for anything else. Until you figure out if it’s for you, try to keep the gear you buy multi purpose.

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Originally Posted by skeetbum

Not to hijack the thread but I’ve found that spider rigging can get into some tackle that doesn’t do well for anything else. Until you figure out if it’s for you, try to keep the gear you buy multi purpose.

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Wise advice, I fish mostly out of a 15ft Blazer, it's like fishing out of a closet when trying to spider rig. Mastering tightlining, presentation, and locating structure really accelerated my success. Try to invest into a Side Scan fish finder, save if you have to, so you can locate the underwater structure in your area most efficiently.

welcome to pitch that jig and or as we call it in gunslinger land .....
slinging lead :Rofl

I learned to fish for them vertical jigging. It's my go to method. But I'm slowly learning casting for them. My turkey hunting travels have kept me on dry land a lot this spring but I'm done and awaiting decent weather to get the boat back out!