#3122885 - 01/14/13 07:21 AM
Help from Crappie Fishermen
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chimneyman
Spike
Registered: 06/30/11
Posts: 85
Loc: blount co
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I've been fishing and catching crappie this winter but not as many as the boats around me. We are fishing appox 6 ft deep with floats it seems that the crappie are NOT pulling the float under i've watched other boats catch a crappie while i watched their floats i can't tell how they know a crappie is there any help or info ? Thanks
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#3122886 - 01/14/13 07:27 AM
Re: Help from Crappie Fishermen
[Re: chimneyman]
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stik
TnDeer Old Timer
16 Point
Registered: 03/12/99
Posts: 18438
Loc: lenoir city,tn
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minnows or jigs under a float? if jigs, you should feel extra "weight" when a crappie takes the jig. with minnows, any unnatural movement of the float usually indicates a fish.
_________________________
experienced hunters know its not just a bushy white tail, its a big middle finger.
nothing makes a fish bigger than almost being caught
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#3122988 - 01/14/13 09:06 AM
Re: Help from Crappie Fishermen
[Re: stik]
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Crosshairy
8 Point
Registered: 08/22/06
Posts: 2141
Loc: Bartlett, TN
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The colder the water, the more subtle the bite (that's usually true, anyway).
What type of float are you using? The medium sized slip corks with enough weight that they are only floating 1/2 out of the water seem to do pretty good for most thing, but if you are really having trouble seeing them, then look at those porcupine quill style ones and go with less weight.
Also, be sure your line isn't so heavy that they are seeing it before striking. I would generally stick to no heavier than 8 lb test unless you are really in some thick stuff.
_________________________
I'm hungry and tired. Don't poke my belly.
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#3123003 - 01/14/13 09:18 AM
Re: Help from Crappie Fishermen
[Re: Crosshairy]
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Unicam
Grumpaw
16 Point
Registered: 12/13/00
Posts: 17457
Loc: Dallas, GA. & Cookeville, TN
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I like the long, light pencil floats for winter bite. Its very sensitive and will actually stand up like a strike indicator. This year I have gone to no float and use the feel of the light, when they hit you will feel a slight tick on the line. This works really well when there is a slight current to toss up-current and drift into the fish.
_________________________
"Gun Free Zones are for VICTIMS!"
John 15:13
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#3123251 - 01/14/13 11:53 AM
Re: Help from Crappie Fishermen
[Re: chimneyman]
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rsimms
8 Point
Registered: 09/08/02
Posts: 2490
Loc: Chattanooga, TN
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When crappie (or smallmouth) fishing with jigs under floats, I always use the "pear-shaped floats."
Fish that take a bait very lightly or tentatively often will not pull it "down." However, if they take the jig, the pear-shaped float will often simply roll over on it's side. If that happens, set the hook.
Now if you are minnow fishing and have a split shot in between the hook/bait and the float... the "rollover" principal might not apply.
But I know winter fishing with jigs under floats, the "rollover" is often the only indication of a strike.
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#3123392 - 01/14/13 01:35 PM
Re: Help from Crappie Fishermen
[Re: rsimms]
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Spurhunter
6 Point
Registered: 06/09/08
Posts: 629
Loc: West TN
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This year I have gone to no float
when they hit you will feel a slight tick on the line.
This is how I was taught to jig fish. Use a sensitive jig pole and tight line. Even a tiny fish with a light bite will give you a tick. I was taught to hold 2 rods in one hand.
For spider riging we use no float and keep a close eye on the rod tips. You will see the tip move when it get's ticked.
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#3124642 - 01/15/13 09:43 AM
Re: Help from Crappie Fishermen
[Re: Spurhunter]
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Slaughter-06
14 Point
Registered: 05/03/01
Posts: 7974
Loc: Dyersburg,Tn.
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I tight line, never used a float, when the line moves in a different direction from all the other poles there is a reason for it.
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#3126357 - 01/16/13 10:39 AM
Re: Help from Crappie Fishermen
[Re: Slaughter-06]
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hitek7
4 Point
Registered: 07/26/10
Posts: 213
Loc: Eva, AL
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You have to adjust the weight to the float. You want just enough weight to upright the float. This way, if lays over a little or pulls down slightly, you can tell. Are you casting the float or spider rigging?
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#3126628 - 01/16/13 12:42 PM
Re: Help from Crappie Fishermen
[Re: hitek7]
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blountcountyboy
8 Point
Registered: 03/30/03
Posts: 1333
Loc: Blount CountyTN ya know over n...
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Crappie feed UP so a lot of times when the crappie rises to take the flie they continue to rise and therefore the float will "fall over" or just raise up out of the water somewhat. On a slow downwards bite the float will only sink slightly. My suggestion is to keep a closer eye on your float while NOT catching fish therefore you know what is the "usual" position of your float and set the hook on anything that's out of the norm.
_________________________
If not for bad luck I wouldn't have any luck at all.
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#3126905 - 01/16/13 03:08 PM
Re: Help from Crappie Fishermen
[Re: blountcountyboy]
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agelesssone
Spike
Registered: 08/02/12
Posts: 93
Loc: Tennessee, USA
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Put your weight beneath your hooks/jigs. If a fish picks the bait up, the float will fall over. If the fish takes it down, the bobber will go down.
I weight my bobbers to suit what the wind is doing. If it's blowing good, I'll sink the float deeper by adding splitshots. If it's not windy, I'll have it halfway down so if they pick it up, the bobber will lay over on its side.
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