Crappie grow big in Curwensville
Spinnerbaits Take BIG Crappie... by Jack Barnhart
all sorts of people, are inclined to stick with the tried-and-true. And when it comes to crappie catchers, there's nothin as tried-and-true as jigs
and minnows. I'd be the last one to suggest you quit fishing with jigs and minnows. But if you're innovative and experimen- tal, if you like to try
new tackle and tactics that produce big slabs, allow me to suggest you try spinnerbaits for crappie. When properly present- ed, spinners are
irresistible to these feisty panfish. Tie one on and you'll not only spice up your fishing fun, chances are you'll catch more and bigger crappie.
Many times I've been caught unaware when a crappie launched a surprise attack on a spinnerbait, and in recent years, I met several anglers
who tie on spinnerbaits specifically for big crappie in downed timber and flooded brush. Today, spinners are a regular part of my own crappie
fishing arsenal. I especially like using them during the pre-spawn and spawning periods when male crappie are migrating from deep to shallow
water.These fish are very aggressive and will attack almost anything that's flashy at that time. Spinnerbaits seem to grab their attention,
especially in turbid water created by late winter/early spring run-off and rain.
and minnows. I'd be the last one to suggest you quit fishing with jigs and minnows. But if you're innovative and experimen- tal, if you like to try
new tackle and tactics that produce big slabs, allow me to suggest you try spinnerbaits for crappie. When properly present- ed, spinners are
irresistible to these feisty panfish. Tie one on and you'll not only spice up your fishing fun, chances are you'll catch more and bigger crappie.
Many times I've been caught unaware when a crappie launched a surprise attack on a spinnerbait, and in recent years, I met several anglers
who tie on spinnerbaits specifically for big crappie in downed timber and flooded brush. Today, spinners are a regular part of my own crappie
fishing arsenal. I especially like using them during the pre-spawn and spawning periods when male crappie are migrating from deep to shallow
water.These fish are very aggressive and will attack almost anything that's flashy at that time. Spinnerbaits seem to grab their attention,
especially in turbid water created by late winter/early spring run-off and rain.
Using Jig Heads... by Tim Huffman
A jig head, also called a lead-head, is a necessary component for any crappie-chaser wanting to fish soft plastics. Live bait fishermen can tip
a completely rigged jig or simply use the jig head for weight and color. The following are a few likes/dislikes based upon experience and/or ob-
serving the success of good crappie fishermen:
Weight
1/16 ounce: best overall weight for a moderate fall, good casting and good feel
1/32 ounce: good for any slow-fall situations and tactics including shooting docks, shallow trolling and fishing clear water
1/8 ounce: excellent for long distance casting, when fishing deep and when wind or current are a problem. It also gives extra "feel" when fishing
in thick cover.
Head Shape
A round head, minnow head and other shapes are acceptable for crappie presentations. Fall and tracking will very similar with all heads be-
cause they are so small. Speed-Load or quick-loads makes rigging a hollow tube body simple and easy. All lead is covered in soft plastic
(giving a better feel to the crappie?).
Lead Shank
Jigs with no lead on the hook shank are called live bait jigs (I don't know why because a head with a lead shank works just as good). A plain
shank is good for most solid body plastics. Trick for solid body plastics: super-glue your twister tail to a jig head to hold it in place. A barb on
a lead shank should be well defined with no slag or rounded edges. The barb must punch into the plastic. A two-barb shank is excellent for
tubes. However, these jig heads are difficult to find so you may have to make your own.
Hook
Use a light or extra-light wire hook .... no exceptions.
Keep hook points sharp. Check points before tying on and then check often while fishing.
Bronze or gold? Bronze hooks are about a penny cheaper but they will rust if moisture gets to them. Both colors catch fish but gold is prettier.
Size: #4 is just right. A #2 is okay, especially in open water and when chasing large fish.
Miscellaneous Jig Stuff
Did you know a jighead can rattle? A few companies make rattling jig heads to give an additional attractant. Does noise work? It does with some
species.
Smell is important when fish are slow to bite. Easy-to-use Berkley Crappie Nibbles and Kodiak Minnow Paste are two great scent enhancers for
crappie. Prism tape can be used to give spinners added flash and to give a touch of shine when used for jig eyes.
a completely rigged jig or simply use the jig head for weight and color. The following are a few likes/dislikes based upon experience and/or ob-
serving the success of good crappie fishermen:
Weight
1/16 ounce: best overall weight for a moderate fall, good casting and good feel
1/32 ounce: good for any slow-fall situations and tactics including shooting docks, shallow trolling and fishing clear water
1/8 ounce: excellent for long distance casting, when fishing deep and when wind or current are a problem. It also gives extra "feel" when fishing
in thick cover.
Head Shape
A round head, minnow head and other shapes are acceptable for crappie presentations. Fall and tracking will very similar with all heads be-
cause they are so small. Speed-Load or quick-loads makes rigging a hollow tube body simple and easy. All lead is covered in soft plastic
(giving a better feel to the crappie?).
Lead Shank
Jigs with no lead on the hook shank are called live bait jigs (I don't know why because a head with a lead shank works just as good). A plain
shank is good for most solid body plastics. Trick for solid body plastics: super-glue your twister tail to a jig head to hold it in place. A barb on
a lead shank should be well defined with no slag or rounded edges. The barb must punch into the plastic. A two-barb shank is excellent for
tubes. However, these jig heads are difficult to find so you may have to make your own.
Hook
Use a light or extra-light wire hook .... no exceptions.
Keep hook points sharp. Check points before tying on and then check often while fishing.
Bronze or gold? Bronze hooks are about a penny cheaper but they will rust if moisture gets to them. Both colors catch fish but gold is prettier.
Size: #4 is just right. A #2 is okay, especially in open water and when chasing large fish.
Miscellaneous Jig Stuff
Did you know a jighead can rattle? A few companies make rattling jig heads to give an additional attractant. Does noise work? It does with some
species.
Smell is important when fish are slow to bite. Easy-to-use Berkley Crappie Nibbles and Kodiak Minnow Paste are two great scent enhancers for
crappie. Prism tape can be used to give spinners added flash and to give a touch of shine when used for jig eyes.
Crappie Tip...
Crappie are school fish that roam constantly. You may catch a crappie in one spot and two hours later that school might be 200 yards away.
There are usually about 20 crappie in a school and they school by size.The big crappie don't school but follow the schools of smaller crappie
around the lake. They usually stay deeper than the school fish. Find a school and you might hang a two or three pound crappie by fishing
just outside the school.
Crappie are school fish that roam constantly. You may catch a crappie in one spot and two hours later that school might be 200 yards away.
There are usually about 20 crappie in a school and they school by size.The big crappie don't school but follow the schools of smaller crappie
around the lake. They usually stay deeper than the school fish. Find a school and you might hang a two or three pound crappie by fishing
just outside the school.
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