I have never done it but why not run a lindy you will cover way more ground than just a drop shot. We slow troll by just dragging a jig and plastic sometimes no weight just drag it slowly over weeds, sometimes even a bit faster than you think.
We just drag jigs slow behind the boat and catch them.
I have never done it but why not run a lindy you will cover way more ground than just a drop shot. We slow troll by just dragging a jig and plastic sometimes no weight just drag it slowly over weeds, sometimes even a bit faster than you think.
This is what we do after they spawn and are spread out. We use pretty large stuff and clip along at about a mph. They crush a 3 inch pulse-R and a 1/4 ounce jig but again these crappies are much larger than your average run of the mill crappies. Beetle spins are deadly too.
I already do alot of trolling with jigs-I go faster and bigger as the water warms- so I might do a 2″ one at 1mph-Small plugs are deadly post spawn too.
Water right now is in the 40s so I’m looking at slower stuff.
BTW, what I read about barrometric pressure has really turned out to be true on the lakes I fish-high pressure crappies suspend, low pressure (like last Sunday) they are down. Thanks
I’ve caught crappies on both a Lindy rig and a drop shot but can not see a reason why it would be a rig of choice. Crappies rarely really hug the bottom, at least not while they are actively feeding. Their eyes are positioned on their head in a way that helps them mostly feed above them. So although it may work, I feel there are far better options. Now a drop shot may offer some advantages. You can suspend the bait at almost any height off the bottom and keep the bait either at their level or slightly above them.
We are finding lots of crappies right now in 12-14 ft of water outside spawning areas or off the 1st break line. A ultra small jig with plastics or a rather small flu flu has been taking most our fish. By small I’m talking 1/100, 1/80, or 1/64 oz jigs.something about the SLOW fall rate that is deadly on these fish this time if the year. You been an extremely sensitive bobber to detect the bite as most days they barely inhale the bait and if not quick on the Hook set you will miss them.
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Thanks Thump
Nice ones!
Thump, are you putting a split shot up from that 1/100th jig?
Thump, are you putting a split shot up from that 1/100th jig?
No. You want the slowest fall rate possible. Use a rocket bobber or old plastic pencil bobber that lays on its side. If that tip end even twitches, set the hook. Don’t wait for the bobber to fully stand up or go down. It’s the slightest lift of the bobber tip off the water surface you are looking for. The balsa type of bobbers don’t work as well as they are way lighter and don’t cast as well. I’m talking fixed bobbers not a slip bobber. When fishing 6-8 feet down you will need a rather long rod to be able to cast and swing the fish in. I fish a 8” but my buddies all fish even longer rods.
Thanks Thump!
Bear I hope you are felling ok-You always respond to my posts even if its just to say the post is a waste of time. Bear? Are you evolving? Well wishes to you as always. (and where is my headlamp?!)
12-16 feet. I’ve got a sneaky suspicion I’m on the same water as you thumper. They were plenty active. 1/16 white jig with a 1″ chartreuse gulp shad. The wind made things difficult but they were up for feeding.
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12-16 feet. I’ve got a sneaky suspicion I’m on the same water as you thumper. They were plenty active. 1/16 white jig with a 1″ chartreuse gulp shad. The wind made things difficult but they were up for feeding.
If it’s the same water they are now going in lots of different spots.my buddy was out yesterday and found active fish on 4 different spots. If same water it can be real combat style of fishing. Always happy when more spots start turning on
I can’t even imagine a 1/100th oz jig falling far enough down fast enough that I don’t grow four more gray hairs by the time it gets there, especially with a plastic and no split shot! Then again I’m mostly using flu-flus.
Not saying I don’t believe you, just hard to imagine. That’s tiny!
Bear I hope you are felling ok-You always respond to my posts even if its just to say the post is a waste of time. Bear? Are you evolving? Well wishes to you as always. (and where is my headlamp?!)
I’m alive and well. No idea where your head lamp is, that was like 4 or 5 years ago, I’ve gone through about 20 since then. But if you need, i have about 12 you can pick one and take it. I dont recall any headlamp but my memory isnt always great. As for Lindy rigging is about as boring as it gets for walleye, I would never choose that for crappies but drop shot is always a good idea. I prefer to pitch jigs though. Even better right now is pitching small lip less around, some of those shallower crappies smash those.
I can’t even imagine a 1/100th oz jig falling far enough down fast enough that I don’t grow four more gray hairs by the time it gets there, especially with a plastic and no split shot! Then again I’m mostly using flu-flus.
Not saying I don’t believe you, just hard to imagine. That’s tiny!
I hear that from lots of people. The fall rate on a 1/100 jighead with a 1.5″ bobby garland plastic is not real bad. With the bobber set at like 8′ I’d say it takes less than 30 seconds to fall. Often its on the fall that the crappies bite. Once its down to depth the process is a simply really slow reel of the line. The small size often makes a huge difference in cooler spring and fall water temps. There have been days where I’m fishing a 1/32oz jig and my fishing partner is fishing a 1/80 or 1/100 and he’s out fishing me 10-1 with everything else being the same. Just something we have done for many years and works really well for us.
How big is the hook on a 1/100th jig head? Pretty small I am guessing. How can it hold a 1.5″ plastic? Pictures please.
Never lindy rigged for them, but when I was young and went with my dad we would troll small mepps spinners and rooster tails and HAMMER the crappies. Key was a crappie minnow on each hook.
Have gotten some good outings employing a dangled minnow behind a #6 #8. Bonus eye here and there. Great tactic in the fall when like OP stated they’re pinned to bottom.
How big is the hook on a 1/100th jig head? Pretty small I am guessing. How can it hold a 1.5″ plastic? Pictures please.
Here is a picture of the setup I’m talking about. The pink and white jig head is a 1/80. The white head is a 1/100. The other jig I believe is a 1/64. The other reason why the small jigs are needed is a 1/32 jig will start to stand the bobber up. It’s key to have that thing laying on its side to detect the often extremely light bites.
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