Allen,
I don't know much but I will share what I have learned.

It seems no one here that has had techniques shared with them want to share with you.

Send me a PM and I'll give you a call and tell you a few jiggin' techniques I know.
R

I've been posting my pattern on lavon weekly.
Stay away from tires, bridges and that stuff right now. Not gonna work on lavon.
Find timber/brush in 10-19' water on the MAIN lake. Get out of the coves.
Use minnows or "1" jig. I use a 1/8 ounce jig head. White/chart or black/chart will work as good if not better than any other color you can use.
Most fish are not on the bottom but suspended 6-12' deep right now. Find structure that comes up high off the bottom like a tree or submerged tree. Start at 12' deep and "pull" your jig slowly up, stopping every 6 inches for a brief pause. Don't jig your rod. Hold it still, the only action is made by pulling and dropping.
They will bite it as soon as you put it in front of them. Fish all sides of the structure then move. If you catch 1 or 5, still move within a minute or so of not getting another bite.

If your not right on the structure, no bite. If you move it too fast, no bite. If your fishing below the fish, no bite. If your location is off, no bite. They are biting very well right now. My customers and myself are catching between 40-100 fish per 4 hour trip but they "are" not everywhere.

Pay attention to the depth you get bit in. Were you pulling, holding it still or did they hit it on the fall? Once you catch a couple, go duplicate the pattern.

Great tips Jerry. On my little lake the bridge is loaded in the early morning though.

Allan,

When I first moved here and started fishing Lavon, I struck out a lot and considered 3 crappie a very good trip. I couldn't believe the limit was 25. I would read posts from Jerry about a slow trip - Only 24 today or 32. You might consider CAT - Crappie Anglers of Texas, but the best way by far is hire a guide. That is whjat I did. If on Lavon, I'd pick Jerry everyday. I would say twice on Sunday, but you'd exceed your limit

Here's a video where Jerry is fishing a October pattern which is roughly the same pattern right now. Fish 10-12 feet deep.

Hiring a guide is good advise but not always a practical answer.

It's expensive. I often have a free seat available in my boat. I try not to guide much anymore but still like to teach beginners how to get started. Let me know when you're available and I will try to take you out at Lewisville.

Nice offer Ernest. Here's your chance to learn from one of the best for free.

There is an offer that shouldn't be passed up!

I went with ERNEST last year Man what a good time I had.

My wife and I went with Mr. Paty about 3 weeks ago on a teaching / catching trip. Best trade I have made in quite a while. Only 2 problems were my wife outfished me and I reallllyyy need a S. I. unit now. Thanks agian for a great trip and information Mr. Paty. We have been using the info on our home lake and now know what we are looking for when crappie fishing. Still get distracted and miss some fish watching the birdies or running my mouth.

Vincent

YOU DO NOT NEED A GUIDE,

Just learn on here and watch everyone on the lakes - it's BRUSH PILES, STANDING Timbers, Under Bidges and DOCKS - anything that provides cover/shade,

Here in lies the FUN OF FISHING - Work It Out And Figure IT OUT - On Your Own - That is what it's all about - It's not the catching - but it's the HUNT.

Today they were where we found them - tomorrow it will be somewhere different - enjoy the HUNT - That Is What It's All About - the HUNT!

Once you Find them (OH YHEA) - just keep what you need and relaese the rest.

Same here, Ernest took me out last year and showed me what a brushpile looked like on the 2d sonar which is all i had at the time. showed me how to jump from one spot to the next and how to fish the timber and bridges.

I still aint near as good as I want to be but atleast I can now catch fish most of the times I go out. Last year we did great but this year hasnt been so good for me, YET!!! That should change now that the weather is stabilizing and I'm more motivated to get out there. The long winter kept me busy with my wife and daughter.

The offer from Ernest is one you shouldnt pass up.

I appreciate all the advice. I know hiring a guide would likly go a long way in the learning process. I would recommend the same to someone else; but that is just not me. I think all I need is some direction. I'm looking to catch crappie using artificial lures. In the past I have done exceptionally well using a light and fishing at night with minnows. I have been reading the forums where some are catching 40, 50 or more a day. I think I'm a pretty fair angler in general, but that is why I am so disgusted at not producing when it comes to crappie. I believe these forums are loaded with information so that is why I use them first.

TexExp mentioned using one 1/8 oz jig. What kind of line are you to use so you can feel the bottom with such a small jig? It seems that if there is any wind at all the jig becomes impossible to 'feel'. Also; should i be using these 4ft crappie poles or does it matter that much?

I wouldn't ask anyone to divulge their honey hole. I have been on lavon long enought to be able to find something fitting a description such as; trees in 15ft water near a point, aroung the tires, around docks, near rocks, etc...

I'm going to try again tomorrow or Thursday and will post the results.

Hey man don't forget that the Ernest Paty, you better take up on that offer man!!!!

I use a 7' med light st. croix, most of the time 1/8 oz jigs and braided 10lb line. Alot of the guys here will use close to the same setup as mine as I got the info from them as to what equipment to use.

Anthony uses a 1/16 oz jig alot and catches a ton of fish when he is with me but I dont have the patience for them, so everybody is a little different.

Right now on Lewisville they seem to be holding to vertical structure in the 10'-15' range close to the bottom.

This afternoon I caught 6 fish in 12' deep water off a brushpile that I dropped in on Sunday. Caught 4 or 5 more off a different pile in 16' deep water. Fished the bridge in 20' water and didnt get a bite so...

And be patient, hold the jig as still as possible. If that doesnt work move it up a foot or so and let it drop very very slow. Alot of bites will come on the drop.

Hope this helps a little. I've never fished Lavon but surely the principles are close to the same.

stretch, just a quick question.. when u say let it drop very slow, u saying, freefall in water? or just lower ur rod slowly?