Hello Everyone,

I was wondering how you prefer to present your jig in various Crappie fishing situations.

For instance - When fishing a bridge pylon, what rig do you like and then how do you work the jig when fishing. Various methods and ideas would be welcome.

Brushpiles? Standing Timber? Spider Rigging?

I am trying to widen my arsenal since what I am doing is not working so well. I think I find the fish sometimes, but have tons of trouble triggering a strike. I also often times catch one or two fish and that is all - when I know good and well there are more down there!

Any ideas?

Thanks,
Tom

95% of the time, a vertical presentation works. Likewise, 95% of the time, Less is More. Generally, movement of the boat from wave action coupled with my breathing/heart beat produces a more lifelike action than if I was trying to "Make" the jig do tricks. The other 5%, WHATEVER IT TAKES TO GET A THUMP!

What Pepop said!!!! For the other 5% you might try changing depths, colors, and jig size. Winter they seem to like darker colors. When you see lots of tiny bait fish like during July and August, go with real tiny jigs. The other thing you might try is pitching you jig and letting it fall. Sometimes it's the only way they will hit it. Sometimes they like it right on the bottom. When you figure them out, they will change what they want the next day.

+1 on both of those replies!!
I guess that would be plus 2

The presentation that triggers a bite (thump) varies. Usually in warm water, a vertical presentation holding the jig still will work the majority of the time. Same for very cold water. Sometimes letting the jig fall thru the desired depth and reeling up very slow will produce the thump. Sometimes you have to stop reeling every turn of the handle; then start again. Other times, pitching past the timber or past the brush pile and letting the jig pendulum swing back to the boat will work best. When fish are feeding, they will get it quickly. Other times, you have to entice them. Think about a dog chasing a rabbit. The rabbit stops and the dog just sits there and watches. As soon as the rabbit runs, the dog pounces. It's like that with crappie sometimes too. As soon as you try to move the jig away, they hit it. There's a lot of little subtle things that sometimes make a difference. That's why I like crappie fishing; it's a finesse game.

Generally less movement is better than too much. Most beginner jig fisherman jig the jig too much. You'd be surprised how many fish you can catch by holding your bait still. If your not catching fish than there might not be any near where your fishing. Your technique might not be the problem, maybe it's your crappie finding abilities. I believe crappie are biters and in most cases the bite if your on them. Ofcourse there are some days they bite better and other days not as much.
Good luck
Option 2 is hire a pro and speed up your learning curve.
Good luck

I was always told "sometimes it's not the jig its the jigger".

It is definitely the jigger in my case!

The guide option is getting more appealing with each unsuccessful trip I make.

Thanks for the info everyone,
Tom

The easiest way to keep the jig in the stike zone and "still" is to fish it under a cork.

Besides what others have mentioned about dead sticking I'll toss in a couple more. Sometimes when I can't buy a bite I'll swim a jig. Pitch it out about 10-15 feet let it fall to desired depth and reel it in slow. I've seen it happen numerous times when they just refused to hit a vertical jig but hammered one moving through the water. Another thing that I'll try if I'm struggling is to make like a 10-20 inch or so jigging motion almost like slabbing. Sometimes they'll hit it as soon as it stops moving at the bottom of the fall. Don't over do it, just once every now and then. These are presentations I don't use a lot just something's I've had success with when my normal presentations aren't working.

welcome to the forum!

when all else fails you must knock on thier door..lower the jig down to the brush ,
hold your rod with your hand with the reel facing down. with your index finger tap quickly around 3 or four times on the rod base, like your knocking the ashes off of a cigarette butt. then hold it very still. if no strike, reel up one crank and repeat. keep doing this if no bite move.

WOW very informative post ya'll have going here. one thing i think helps a lot of people get going on jigging is discussing the habitat crappie can be found, steep drop off's for this time of year has done very good for me & it's even better if you can find a drop with some brush/roots or other structure. with the cooler water temps on the way ya'll are giving some good info in saying less action on the jig is better. structure is key to putting good crappie in the boat. when fishing these drop off's do like the guys are posting about, check the different depths until you find where they are.

The subject is nicely covered. If I must add...it's nothing new, but rather the reason behind the "dead sticking" or "ever slowly" movement of a jig...

One of my personal view on enhancing a chance of getting the thump this time of year is: Think about the bait that these crappies are after. Shad and minnows in cold water don't move all that fast. Predators look for an easy meal and conserve energy during the colder months (meaning without working too hard chasing after anything fast) So if your jig is moving slightly faster than the natural baits (shads & minnows), you have failed to present your jig as a natural edible meal to the crappies!