I never trolled for crappie. Watched a video and he was using 200 and 300 series at 1.5 mph. Is that pretty much the norm?
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I never trolled for crappie. Watched a video and he was using 200 and 300 series at 1.5 mph. Is that pretty much the norm?
You need to talk to M R DUX he's the trolling expert and guide on Ky.Lake. If it's about trolling he knows it !
Yes sir 1.6 is my go too speed. Look up bandit 300 & 200 depth charts online and it will give you an idea of depth pending how much line you have out. Depth counter reels are almost a must.
I usually run my down sonar/imaging on my hummingbird unit and if I mark fish suspended at 10’ I try to run my baits that depth or just above them to attract the reaction bite. I usually start out with 300’s running fifty to sixty feet behind the boat and when I start marking fish I will adjust according to depth.
Tip: once you start catching fish while trolling. Switch your unit to side scan and start dropping weigh points when you locate brush or structure. You will have more places to fish when they are not suspended. I start trolling cranks at 70 degree water temp all the way to November.
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So I take it you usually don't use this method spawn and prespawn
Sorry if u are getting this again not sure if I replied on correct thread. Question was I presume you usually don't use this method prespawn and spawn
Personally, I don't Long Line Troll cranks. I prefer to Push them. My reasons being less line out means sharper turns and less line to reel back in with a fish on (which can mean less chance of one getting off).
I use 14' rods w/line counter reels ... 20# mono or 30# braid main lines ... 6# test leader lines ... 2oz trolling weights ... at speeds between 1mph - 1.8mph
I estimate the depth of my crank by length of line out below the surface multiplied by 0.6 ... when lines are approx. at a 45deg angle. (Example - 20ft of line out below the surface would put my crank around 12ft deep ... 20x0.6=12) I can fine tune that depth knowing every 5ft of line out below the surface adds 3ft of depth. These measurements are guesstimates, but are within the ballpark.
I haven't Pushed cranks all that much, primarily Pushing jigs (w/1oz trolling weights @ 1mph), but haven't done all that much of either one since getting Livescope. :Doh: But, IF the occasion calls for it ... that's the procedure I follow.
Thank you for the info. I am installing livescope also. Just saw an advertisement re newest version of livescope. Looks like it traces your lure farther out and a more friendletransducer adjustment?
I started pulling Pico INT cranks on KY Lake in mid April last year. Surface temp was 57 degrees. These were from one week. Attachment 420334Attachment 420335
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Sorry I haven’t seen this prior to now. I just got home from the Indy Boat Show.Quote:
Originally Posted by wannabe fisherman
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I was looking at your lures never used them which size and color do you suggest for early April. Thanks for your post Leo
Hey M R Dux, is there a reason you prefer the Pico’s over Bandits? Also when you are trolling do you cover a bunch of water or do you generally stay in certain areas and loop around? Trolling is new to me since I went from a kayak to a boat last year so sorry if I sound like a dummy.
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Sorry again if this is a repeat not the best at posting. I have never tried these lures but if you tell me your preference size and color for beginning of April I will grab some. Thanks Leo
PICO’s run a foot or two deeper than most crankbaits. The rattle is a little louder to me. The dimpled bait is like the sides of a golf ball sides and gives off more water displacement I think. And I started cranking last spring when water temp in central southern Indiana was 42 degrees at a speed of 1.3 to 1.4 mph.
M R Dux..next time your coming up to the Indy Sports Show give me a shout out. I’m there 24/7.
nice crappie
Pico INTs run straight out of the box and deeper than most other similar size lures. INT are all one size and deep runners. Mudbug, Simply Awsum, Yellow Jacket,Green Machine, Purple Splatter, Pink SplatterQuote:
Originally Posted by Lrob
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I cover a lot of water till I find fish then I saturate that area. My spring speed is 1.4. My warm weather speed is 1.7-2.0.Quote:
Originally Posted by CentKyPaddler
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Awesome. Thanks!Quote:
Originally Posted by M R Dux
I love trolling cranks. It’s a new style of fishing for me.
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Jenko is another good crankbait to use, their 2" crappie cranks are awesome! Jenko lures are out of Murray KY.
Great video with a lot of info:
https://youtu.be/KBj2fl8VOnc