CAPTAIN JUDY HELMEY
'Kicking Fish Tail Since 1956'
POB 30771
SAVANNAH, GEORGIA 31410
912 897 4921 912 897 3460 FAX
www.missjudycharters.com
Capt Judy's email fishjudy2@aol.com
Capt Judy's Cell 912 429 7671
December 8, 2008
Happy Fishing To All!
Saltwater inshore, offshore, blue water fishing report, Freshies Suggestions, and 'Little Miss Judy's story! Thanks for reading! Captain Judy
Freshies Report
Cold Water Crappie Fishing
Part Two
Even if you happen to find some underwater structure that is holding crappie you still might have trouble getting the rascals to eat. This is where the fisherman needs to keep in mind different presentation of bait. I'm going to call them the 'straight up and down' and 'drag across event.'
Straight Up and Down Approach
This approach is where you simply anchor the boat above the structure and drop your bait offering straight down. This vertical drop fishing style also known in the saltwater fishing world as basic bottom fishing, can work. However, when it's cold the 'take is going to be slow.' So therefore move your bait or lure 'slow to go,' which sometimes is called 'inching method.' The 'inching method' is where you drop your bait offering directly to the bottom. Once making a landing, wait, and then start reeling up 'inch by inch.' The special secret at this time of the year when it comes to catching crappie is ultra light tackle, small baits, and slow to go retrievals.
Drag Across Event
When achieving this method you need to anchor your boat a little differently. Once locating the structure that you are going to fish you need to anchor on the outskirts not over right over it. Once getting situated, you then need to cast over or between the structure letting your bait 'fall into the strike zone.' On some casts let your bait fall all the way to the bottom. Then change up and try stopping about half way before going into the retrieval mode. I suggested working the top, sides, inside, and bottom areas of the structure.
Now for the difference between the two methods
When just dropping your bait in directly over the structure the line attached is also vertical. This type of drop is faster, because of the extra weight added. The reason this presentation works so well is due to the fact that sometimes fish don't want it moving at all. Once it's dropped in and the bait settles your hit could occur before the first turn of the reel. During the cold times your hit will probably be while it sitting or right before going into the retrieve mode as opposed to while it dropping in. However, as usual when it comes to fish and their biting ways it could be opposite.
When you are anchored on the outskirts and cast over or around the structure you get an entirely different approach. The line attached now lays somewhat horizontal in the water column and it becomes somewhat of a float. The line actually goes into the 'bagging mode.' This is where the line gets caught in the water column, which means your bait attached is going to also fall slower and more natural. In some cases the line can semi float indefinitely keeping your bait suspended right above the fished structure.
According to freshwater fishermen one is not better than the other at any given time. It's all about knowing you have options in regards to presenting your bait. After all you don't eat the same way or the same thing all of the time and the fish don't either!