Crappie Fishing While Trolling: Learn The Basics!
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Crappie Fishing While Trolling: Excellent Spiderwire set up!
If you have a boat you can learn to troll for crappie on the open waters. You will be amazed how easy it is to find large schools of crappie using this method of fishing. If your favorite hotspots are not producing then try trolling for crappie, you may be pleasantly surprised with the results. I would like to show you a way to troll for crappie and actually catch fish. Once you start catching crappie stop your trolling and start having fun reeling in your catch.
Equipment you will need:
Boat
You need to have a good trolling motor
Jigs that have a red head and a white or yellow body.
You need to have a variety of different weighted jig heads starting at 1/8oz and working up. The weight of the jig will determine how deep you are trolling. You want to have a variety of crappie rigs trolling at the same time at a variety of different depths.
This setup is commonly known as a Shotgun Effect.
Locations To Start your Crappie fishing trolling
Folks, crappie love structure. Depending on what body of water you are fishing on a good place to start your crappie fishing trolling is near rock points,Known stump areas,known sunken wreck areas,and artificial fish attractors. Think of any areas that crappies could hide while waiting to feed. I would start by identifying area’s on a topographical map. This is a excellent way to create a game plan to start your fishing trip.
Initial Trolling For Crappie Set Up
I recommend when you start your first crappie fishing troll that you use live bait. Hook the minnow through the bottom and top of his mouth. (this will prevent the minnow from drowning) Use ½oz or 3/4oz weight on the end of the line.
Once you catch the first fish stop the boat!
Know the secret tip to identify exactly where that school is located.
You are going to use the crappie you just caught to find where the school of crappie is exactly located.
Step #1 Run a hook through the back of the crappie make its not to deep so you don’t kill the crappie by mistake. Now attach a line about 10ft in length. Place a large bobber on the other end.
Step#2 Let your scout fish lead you to the main crappie school. Just follow the floating bobber.
Step#3 VERY IMPORTANT stay far enough behind your scout fish so you cannot be seen by the schooled crappie.
Step#4 When he gets back to his home and all his buddies in the school and probably his favorite structure area, cast your line into the area from a safe distance. (If you spook the fish you will have to start all over again in a different area.
Step#5 Keep fishing the general area until you fish it out. If you don’t have enough fish, start the trolling for crappie exercise all over again at a different spot.
Step#6 You would be surprised how many fishermen never do step 6 and it is probably one of the most important step for future fishing trips. Mark the spot on your topographical map . If you have a GPS enter the coordinates immediately so you do not forget. Remember you want to learn from every fishing trip.
Step#7 If you want to get real technical put a dot for every fish that was caught at this location. And if you want to get even more technical record the weather conditions .
Store this tip in your crappie fishing arsenal , then the next time you go out fishing you can plan your trip using this trolling for crappie fish technique. GOOD FISHING AND GOOD LUCK!
Mark Fleagle Webmaster. 30+ Years Of Fishing Experience Expert Author At Ezinearticles.com. Click This Link To Find Out More About Trolling For Crappie
Tags: alaska sport fishing, sport fishing, sport fishing boats
Great set of tips.
In my experince, though, a small balloon works better than a bobber, because there is less drag created, and the fish seem to mind it less.
And, while you implied it, it bears stating that the scout fish should always be retrieved and made part of the bag.