New to crappie fishing do you all normally aproach and anchor around brush without spooking fish

Thall shalt not anchor! Use your trolling motor and the wind to help you stay over a pile. You don't want to risk messing up a pile by pulling it with an anchor. Also, you can fish a pile more completely with you trolling motor.

I do ok with #1...it is one of the first things learned from the forum.

But this is why even though I have heard it before, I have trouble with #4. I can't stay in the same zip code when it is windy with just the trolling motor. I don't actually get to fish because all I do is try to work the trolling motor. Also, I am careful to set anchor well away from a pile to avoid damage. But it is so much work getting hooked up in the right spot I stay put alot more than I should. Really the only time I can focus on fishing is when tied up to a tree or anchored solid.

Also, I find it nearly impossible to keep a tight, vertical line while trolling.

My daddy taught me how to fish for crappie using baitcasters and 17 lb pound test. We would tie up to a tree or bridge piling and wait. We caught some fish but seldom got limits. I had to force myself to fish slow, move alot and downsize my gear. I have more effective but I still don't limit most trips. Someday I will reach the masters level.

Reggie

Use a longer rope and anchor away from the brush, let line out and drift back to it. What Jacob and others are concerned with is if your anchor doesn't grab you will drag it through the brush. Like all things it takes practice and some choose not to anchor. Either way is fine as long as you can put your bait over the fish. Just don't rip up the brush piles.

Also with anchoring, you have to play the wind PERFECTLY! The slightest change, especially on a long rope, will swing you. I just always find that voice in the back of my head saying, "Your not on the brush. It's over there!"

Great advice, and I've been guilty to several listed.

On the anchor issue, use two. I've done it with my toon in the past, and ban ever tore up a pile. Plus it's easy to adjust wind changes, or just moving left or right when needed.

Now I use the terrova

Great info and replys

i think the title of this thread could have been:

Biggest mistakes beginning Crappie fishermen make.

#10 #10 Fishing from desk chair can give you some funky mental problems.

Thank you Ernest!! This is what the forum is really all about to me. I've learned so much from the pros on here, like Ernest. I still have a lot to learn but, without input like this I'd probably still be chasing sand bass or black bass!! Thank God, I crossed over to the force! The bad part, I'm not addicted and there is no turning back!

If you really want to learn something take my advice and fish from the bottom up.Ha Its all easy just find the fish that want to go for a boat ride,Dont over think it.I might just make my own video and show yall how its done.Ha You guys are just to easy .I really taught Ernest all he knows anyway.Darrell

I used to ask what color they were hitting. Know I just wanna know how deep they are.

Thanks Ernest! I seem to do all those things and learn not to do them. A year later, I make all those mistakes again.

The only thing that i think needs to be added to the list is...the right equipment. For the life of me, I will never understand why a person that is just getting into crappie fishing will go out and buy the shortest, lightest, most "buggy whip" rod that they can find. I watched a guy fishing last weekend with one of the aforementioned rods, and also watched him loose three really good crappie, back to back to back, because his rod wasn't strong enough to keep the bigger fish out of the brush. Another 'list' favorite is the bad habit of buying very light line, thinking that you have to have 4# test to catch crappie. For years now I have used nothing but 10# braid with a 12# leader, and somehow I still manage to catch about all the crappie I want to catch.

Just my .02 cents..........

I've seen a number of cases where heavy braid will prevent fishermen from catching fish. It doesn't always happen, but I've seen it happen enough to not have as much confidence in it as a lighter monofilament.