Just wanted to say hello to everyone and say this is my first post. I've been crappie fishing most of my life, but almost always from the bank or a dock. And I still have a lot to learn.

Just got my first boat and am excited to go out fishing other places than the bank. I have almost always used minnows and a bobber in the past, but am now trying my hand at jigging.

I was curious about rig setups though. I plan to go out to joe pool soon and fish some of the bridge pylons, or any sunken brush I can find. (Yes I will avoid anchoring on and/or tearing up bushpiles.)

Do most of you use a slip cork and set it for the depth you want to hit or what? And does that work well with a jig?

I know around the bridge the other day when I took my boat out for its maiden voyage the fish finder was showing fish around 25 feet.

Are crappie holding out there still or moving in for the spawn already?

What colors are decent this time of year for jigs on joe pool?

And in general any tips/information you can pass on I would appreciate. Been fishing a long time but always tons more to learn.

First, welcome to the forum...always glad to have another crappie angler.
Based on your short post, you are planning to fish JP, I may assume that you are near Arlington/Grand Prairie...
Feel free to shoot me a PM and I'll do my best to help you catch up with the norm/rigs...

Once again, welcome to the forum!

I personally dont use a slip cork when fishing over like 8 feet of water. I like to jig and feel the little thump, and know what's coming. I'm no expert at crappie fishing though. I hear Joe Pool is good around the pylons, and I would guess that around 25 ft is where they are still holding. I fish a variety of colors, but my go to colors are always yellow, orange and brown. Good luck, and I'm sure you will get some solid advice from these old pros.

Oh yeah, welcome!

Thanks for the replies. Yes I live in Arlington, so Joe Pool and Lake Arlington are my easiest lakes to access. Although, I do plan to take some road trips and check out some other lakes as I can.

SlabMeSilly - I will send a PM shortly. Thanks!

Basstoes - What kind of rod/reel/line do you use usually? I have been using some ultralights, open face reels, with 4 lb line.

I completely hate that fishing line though. It is so easy to get it tangled, break it, and generally make a mess because it is so small and hard to see. I thought about buying some hi vis 6# line and see how that works for me.

Usually I fish for bass so I'm carrying some heavier equipment. If I'm targeting crappie and panfish I carry my cheap little 5 ft shakespeare ultralight spinning combo with 6 lb test. It is surprisingly sensitive. I tend to snag quite a few cats and bass when jigging for crappie, so I dont ever use anything under 6 lb test.

Joker, if you are going to be jigging get yourself at least a 10' graphite rod, reels aren't that important with jigging for crappie...they just hold the line. B&M and Wally Marshall make some real good ones.

welcome to the forum!

Congrats on the first boat! Welcome to the forum.

Welcome aboard

Welcome to the forum, you will learn alot here!!

+1 !
That's a good feeling getting out in your own boat.
(that was 25 yrs ago for me... thanks for the memory)

You'll get lot's of different opinions & adivce... and they are all correct! Different stuff works and works for different people, so just keep at it to find what you like best. Spring is coming up which will add to your confidence jig fishing. That's really what it takes. The confidence to know that you can catch them that way. Then it is just a matter of location, location, location... then sizes (1/8, 1/16 etc.) styles (hair, hand tied, tube).
Don't be skeered to try the BRIGHT lines. They will help you a ton with the light bites and 'seeing' what your jig is doing.
Try Suffix Seige Neon Tangerine in 8# test.
http://www.proanglertackle.com/Line.htm
Some people like lighter, some heavier, some solid tubes and myriads of color combos.
Congrats! and good fishing.

Thanks for the warm welcome. I did go out and buy some B&M 10 foot graphite rods. Talk about being able to feel a fly on the end. Can't wait to get back out on the water and try them out.

TexExp thanks for the line link. Good size and color on those. Think I am going to order some.

I am off this thursday, friday, saturday so I am hoping one of those days will provide some decent weather to get out on the lake. If not I guess i'll have to throw some ski gear on and go anyways.

Welcome to the Crappie Forum. If you are fishing on a budget, like most of us are, I would really recommend trying the ProAngler rods.

http://www.proanglertackle.com/

I have an 8' and a 4' 6" for shooting docks and love them both. He also sells the crappie jig head with the sickle hook. I'd never even heard of a sickle hook 3 years ago. But really think they make a difference. Good luck fishing and welcome!!