Vertical jigging, one of the initial crappie fishing techniques acquired by most professional anglers, captivates them with the first exhilarating “thump,” creating a lasting allure for fishing. Despite the challenge posed by warmer waters on numerous Midwestern and southern lakes, vertical jigging remains an exceptionally productive method throughout the year.
Numerous lakes nationwide, such as Truman Lake in west-central Missouri, provide outstanding jig fishing opportunities year-round. Kevin Rogers and Charlie Rogers, a father-and-son team renowned for professional crappie fishing, call Truman Lake their home. Among the duo, Kevin, the younger member, stands out as the most respected and well-known jig fisherman in the country.
When it comes to trolling equipment, the paramount objective is to achieve an average speed of 1.5 mph while maintaining a consistent and straight direction. For dedicated crankbaiters, the go-to solution is often the utilization of MinnKota’s I-Pilot on an electric drive trolling motor. This cutting-edge technology empowers anglers by allowing them to set both the speed and direction through a convenient remote control, freeing up the fisherman to concentrate fully on the act of fishing.
For effective trolling for crappies, selecting the right rod and reel is paramount. The trolling rod is specifically designed to handle the weight of the fish and the resistance of the trolling line, ensuring a smooth fishing experience. In contrast, the trolling reel distinguishes itself from standard reels through features like a larger spool, a depth counter, a multi-speed capability, and a robust drag system.
Ideal Rod Length: In terms of the ideal rod length for crappie fishing, the range of 6ft to 16ft is considered optimal. However, the choice of rod length is subjective, influenced by factors such as personal preferences, water depth, and the specific time of the year.
Rod Action: When it comes to rod action, especially for lightweight species like crappies, light action rods are deemed most suitable. The light action is characterized by how easily and far the rod’s tip will bend, and it is typically paired with smaller hooks due to lower resistance.
Type of Reel: In the realm of reel selection for crappie trolling, durability, drag, and strength are critical considerations. The spinning reel emerges as the preferred choice for trolling, offering a smooth drag, ease of adjustment, and consistent line management. Functionality and affordability further contribute to making the spinning reel an excellent option for crappie fishing.
Alternative setups include employing small kicker motors or utilizing a 4-stroke outboard equipped with a Happy Troller trolling plate. These alternatives offer practical means of managing speed and direction during trolling. However, the pinnacle of technological integration lies in the advanced features of Minn Kota’s Terrova and Ulterra, both equipped with i-Pilot Link systems.
These systems seamlessly integrate with Humminbird graphs, eliminating the need for constant angler intervention, as they autonomously follow map contours. This level of technological sophistication not only streamlines the trolling process but also enhances the overall fishing experience by minimizing distractions and maximizing efficiency.
Crappie fishing poses a challenge due to their size. Trolling emerges as one of the most effective techniques to secure these elusive fish species, offering a comprehensive guide for both professional and novice anglers.
Fundamental Techniques of Crappie Fishing
The concept is quite straightforward—approach a structure known to harbor crappie, employ a lengthy 9- to 12-foot pole, lower the bait directly in front of the fish, patiently await the bite, set the hook, and bring the fish into the boat. While this approach may seem uncomplicated, like many techniques, there’s more to it than meets the eye.
Several factors contribute to the technique’s success, including:
- Visual Cues
Adhere to visible structures whenever possible, focusing on identifying patterns. This becomes particularly crucial in the Midwest, where lakes boast a variety of natural wood structures. Lack of knowledge about different tree species is a common challenge for weekend anglers.
- Trial and Error Attitude
Successfully deciphering the pattern often involves a significant amount of trial and error. Fish may cling to small trees, “double trees” in close proximity, or other subtle details. The key lies in paying attention and discerning these nuances, determining whether to invest time in productive spots or end up with an empty live well.
- Buoying the Invisible
This fishing style doesn’t demand extensive use of electronics. While checking depth or marking a GPS spot may be useful, it isn’t essential when targeting visible structures. Even in clear, deep-water lakes dominated by brush piles, electronics play a larger role. However, when fishing these deep structures, marking the spot with a buoy after locating it remains the most effective approach.
- Avoiding Current
Avoiding current as much as possible is crucial. Crappie tends to disengage in current, and if caught, it’s typically behind structural breaks, if at all.
These elements collectively enhance the angler’s odds during vertical jigging, making it a nuanced and effective method for crappie fishing.
Crappie Fishing Trolling Rigs
The success of your fishing expedition often hinges on the choice of your rig. Elements like water temperature, water color, and the lake habitat play a crucial role in determining the effectiveness of your trolling rigs. It is essential to select the appropriate rig, understand its setup and usage, and apply the recommended trolling speed.
- Spider Rig
The spider rigging method entails attaching a dropper line to the main fishing line and utilizing two rods with lures at the end. Below is a detailed guide on how to make the most out of this rig.
How to Set It Up:
The typical setup for this rig involves placing multiple poles in rod racks. Anglers commonly attach two minnows or two jigs on hooks tied at different lengths. Utilizing a 16-ounce jig facilitates better line control.
When to Use It:
Spider rigging can be employed throughout the year by adjusting speed, baits, and depth. In early winter, crappies gather in large schools in the middle water column, making them more visible to anglers. This technique is effective during summer, fall, and spring as well.
Trolling Speed:
Maintaining low speeds is crucial when employing spider rigs, with the ideal speed set at 0.3 mph.
- Umbrella Rig
Alabama Umbrella Rig Fishing Ultralight Tripod Bass Lures Bait Kit Junior Ultralight Willow Blade Multi-Lure Rig (2 pcs 8 Blade) An umbrella rig is a suitable choice if you aim to deploy multiple baits and various jigs in a concentrated area without the need for additional rods. Below is a detailed guide on how to make the most out of this rig.
How to Set It Up:
To set up the umbrella rig, connect multiple steel wires to a single jig head. Each steel wire should be equipped with a swivel at the end, allowing you to attach the bait of your choice to the rig.
When to Use It:
The umbrella rig is particularly effective when trolling in deeper waters during the summer months when crappies tend to swim at greater depths seeking cooler temperatures.
Trolling Speed:
Maintain a slow trolling speed, typically ranging from 0.5 to 0.9 mph, when using this rig for crappie fishing.
- Dropper Rig
Dropper rigs are commonly deployed in the water column to target crappies, with the bait suspended by a weight at the bottom. There are three main categories of dropper rigs: fixed float, tandem dropper, and slip float rigs. Below is a detailed guide on how to make the most out of this rig.
Setting It Up:
To capture crappies, affix a sinker to the end of the mainline. Incorporate 1 to 4 dropper lines, each approximately 1 foot long and spaced 1 foot apart. The sinker should weigh around 16 ounces. When attaching the dropper lines, use a swivel or a loop knot and add baits of various colors.
When to Use It:
Dropper rigs can be effectively used in various water conditions. While flat areas are suitable for year-round fishing, ledges become favorable when crappies migrate to shallow areas during the spawning season.
Trolling Speed:
Maintain an ideal speed of approximately 0.8 mph when using a dropper rig for crappie fishing.
- Three-Way Swivel Rig
This rig stands out as the preferred choice when trolling for crappie, particularly in situations where the exact depth of the water body is unknown. It provides crappie anglers with multiple options simultaneously, enhancing the chances of attracting bites. Below is a detailed guide on how to make the most out of this rig.
Setting It Up:
Begin by tying the main fishing line to a three-way swivel. Proceed to cut 2 to 3 pieces of line, each around 18 inches long, and affix swivels to the end of each line. Finally, attach hooks at the end of each line to target different water depths while trolling for crappies.
When to Use It:
The three-way swivel rig is particularly effective during the summer months when temperatures rise. It aids the angler in determining the preferred biting patterns of crappies.
Trolling Speed:
Maintain a speed range of approximately 0.4 to 0.8 mph when using this rig for crappie trolling.
Long-line trolling, commonly referred to as the pull technique, stands out as the preferred method for most anglers targeting crappies due to its efficiency in swiftly capturing these elusive fish. This technique entails affixing rods to a stationary rod rack positioned at the rear of the boat while simultaneously pulling jigs at different depths.
By employing the trolling technique for crappie fishing, anglers can cover extensive water areas with greater ease. An advantage of long lining is its adaptability to nearly any type of water. However, it is crucial to execute this fishing technique around flat areas, main channels, and ledges for optimal effectiveness.
Navigating the transition from summer to fall poses one of the most challenging periods for catching crappie. Anglers must display high mobility and tactical adaptability to handle various situations. Crappie, during this phase, becomes nomadic and unpredictable from day to day. However, armed with the right knowledge and, more crucially, the right mindset, you can still enjoy a successful day on the water.
The critical aspect of catching crappie during the summer-fall transition lies in addressing the dissipation of the thermocline in your body of water. Here are some tips for crappie trolling:
Exploring Flats Up River – Flats consistently serve as promising areas for crappie, especially an upriver flat located just off the main channel. This prime structure attracts baitfish seeking fresh food brought in by the current. The presence of these baitfish entices crappie looking for similar conditions. It’s worth noting that this pattern may differ after heavy rainfall.
Navigating Deep Ledges – In clear water lakes with adequate oxygen levels, crappie can be found on deep ledges during the transition. Schoenherr focuses on structural breaks, rocks, or manmade covers like brush piles at the appropriate depth.
Seeking Shade – On shallow lakes abundant with cover, shaded areas become ideal spots for locating late summer crappie. Black crappie, in particular, tend to suspend just below overhead covers such as lily pads or the bell of a cypress tree.
Consider the Spawn – In shallow water basin lakes with stable levels, like Reelfoot Lake in West Tennessee, crappie show limited migration. As water cools, they return to spawning areas, often staying higher in the water column. It’s essential to note that lakes with varying summer and winter pools do not follow this particular characteristic.
You might ask when is the best time to troll for crappies; your options are during the Summer, Fall, or at Night. To know which option is best, check this out!
Trolling for Crappie in the Summer:
- Post-spawn crappies will be in their bedding areas during summer, typically at a depth of 12 to 18 ft.
- Use slow-strolling small crankbaits to cover more water, trolling at speeds of 1.5 to 2.5 mph in a slow S pattern.
- In high temperatures, target crappies in offshore humps where they move to feed on baitfish.
Trolling for Crappie at Night:
- Crappies are more active at night, with depths varying based on water clarity (20 to 30 ft in clear water, 10 to 20 ft in stained water, and 5 to 10 ft in muddy water).
- Use minnows or jigs as bait and maintain a trolling speed of about 0.7 mph.
- Trolling for Crappie in the Fall:
Trolling for Crappie in the Fall
- During fall, crappies move back to deeper waters and form schools, typically found at depths of 20 to 30 ft.
- Crankbaits are effective in enticing crappies, as they are predatory and actively seeking food.
- Maintain a trolling speed of 0.8 to 1.3 mph for optimal results during the fall season.
During the prime crappie season, anglers will have a blast catching numerous crappie in suitable sizes using various methods. Crappie fishing trips are ideal for fishermen of all ages and skill levels, making it the perfect family outing.
FINAL TIP:
Trolling for crappie is the epitome of “lazy fishing” in the best possible way – a strategic and effective method that allows anglers to cover more water and increase their chances of success. As you venture into the art of trolling, remember to experiment with different trolling speeds, lure colors, and depths to find the winning combination for the day. Patience is key, and understanding the water’s topography and the crappie’s behavior will help you fine-tune your approach. So, embrace the leisurely pace of trolling, enjoy the serenity of the water, and let the excitement build as you anticipate the next crappie on your line.
