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Re: Another Crappie Tip
| Author | Subject: Re: Another Crappie Tip |
| Kevin | Posted At 01:07:16 02/28/2002
Sorry guys for not responding sooner. When I fish these lures in tandem, I mean that I tie more than one lure onto my line vertically. I use light line, either 4, 2 or 1 pound test depending on the fish that I'm after and their mood. If they are agressive and large, I use the heavier line and larger jigs. If they are finicky, then I use the lighter lines and smaller jigs. Sometimes, the fish are agressive toward smaller jigs and finicky toward larger jigs. In that case, I'll use 2 lb. test and tie on 2 or 3 1/80 oz. jigheads tipped with the finesse tails, or size 12 or smaller ice jigs tipped with either maggots or waxworms. Sometimes I try various combinations until I can find what the fish want. I've even tried a jigging spoon (small Kastmaster) tipped with a minnow and a tiny ice jig about 2 feet up the line to catch different species (walleye, perch and bass like the spoon, while I still get interest in the smaller lure from suspended crappies and gills). When fishing in the wind, tying jigs in tandem loads your rod tip a bit more and keeps your line tight so you can better see the bites. Also, the tiny lures fall faster, an asset when the fish are agressive. So far, the best knot that I've used is a simple Trilene knot on the upper jigs leaving a long tag end to tie on the next jig. Don't give the knots too many twists, only a few are necessary. The distance between each jig depends on the depth ranges that you want to cover and the moods of the fish. Also, there are other options, use a spoon above an ice jig. Custom Jigs and Spins markets a slip dropper spoon in various sizes and colors that add weight to your rig and flash to attract fish. These slip onto your line above your lure and are held into place by rubber stops. The fish are attracted by the vibrations and/or flash of the spoon and then to your bait below. I've had fish hit the spoon and not my jig. When that happens, I've fished a jigging spoon such as a Kastmaster, Swedish Pimple, or Cicada above and ice jig with fair results. Although I have yet to try this, I was thinking about using a fireball jig (Northland?) that has an eyelet under the jighead for a stinger hook. I would tie my dropper jig and line to the bottom eyelet. They come in a variety of sizes and colors. In any event, all of the rigs above (except for the fireball rig that I have yet to test) have produced one time or another. Hope this helps and I'm not too late to respond. |