Alright so this is hard for me but I'm gonna ask for some help here. I'm a bass fisherman and I've always bass fished for as long as I can remember. I have a bass boat with side imaging. My daughter just turned 8 and I have a hard time keeping her attention when bass fishing. We have a resevoir here thats loaded with big crappie. We've caught some monsters but I don't really know how to fish for just crappie. I just bought some poles and some gear like small grubs and tubes but can some of you pros give me some advice on how to fish for crappie with live bait? How should I rig the line? I've seen a tv show where the host had some setup on the bow that held 4 rods seemed like a good way to go?? I've seen lots of crappie guys just tied up to a tree....then I've heard of people catching one then tying a ballon with fishing string to it and releasing it to follow the school. I need some advice here. If I can get on the crappie and have an idea of what I'm doing I'm hoping I can teach that to my daughter to make fishing fun for her. Fishing hard all day for a few bass bites isn't cutting the mustard. I appreciate everyones input.

Thanks

Robert

I am not at all as good as some the guy's on here, but can you put out tree's and such, for brushpile's? That's where i would start out.

Hi
If you can afford to hire a guide you will learn a lot, and most guides with teach you where to fish and how to fish. I know nothing about fishing in New Mexico, so I am of little help.
Good luck! Eldon

Buy her her own spin cast rig,something her size and a her own tackle box.get her some beetle spins in several sizes and colors.These little baits are pretty effective and don't get hung so much and they will catch everything in the lake.If you/she prefers live bait/bobber fishing,try brim,the next full moon should have them fired up.They are always easy to catch.The crappie are headed for shallow water right now so a single pole with a slip bobber and a minnow around any vertical cover would be my choice.The most important thing about taking a non-fishing person(of any age)fishing is to remember once the fun is gone,it's time to go...don't make'em stay if they not happy.If the fishing ain't good...teach her to drive the boat.Make it fun.short trips are best...at least till they get hooked and become fishermen.GOOD LUCK

+1

What lake are you fishing?

+2 or take her to the local crappie house and watch the old timers.

You are getting excellent advice from these guys. I lived in NM for over 40 years and fished the lakes there bunches. I am "kinda" in your situation as all I ever wanted to fish for was bass, but I lived in Tucumcari for a few years and fished Ute and Conchas a lot. They are still my favorite lakes anywhere. There are many brush piles in both lakes, easy to find with the stick-ups and a sonar. I used to bait them with a flake of alfalfa and a brick and it didn't take a long time for that to really bring in crappie (maybe a week or so). We used to do great on both Ute and Conchas and we started really hitting it about this time of year. What a lot of fun it was and those two lakes have a lot of crappie. Have a great time. I never fished for crappie at the Butte, only Bass Tourneys there.

Ron

creeks are going to be a good choice. she's 8 so I would say bobber and minnow about 1 1/2ft to 2feet down around any type of structure. Dont catch a fish and attach anything to it to follow the school, highly illegal.

GOOD ADVICE! THIS TIME OF YEAR YOU CAN'T MISS WITH A MINNOW UNDER A SLIP BOBBER! I HOPE YOUR RELATIONSHIP GROWS FASTER THAN THE CRAPPIE, GOOD LUCK!!

There is no substitute for a good Guide.He/she will put you on them and teach while doing so.I would hire a guide first.Taking a newby Crappie fishing can be a frustration if not done properly.just my 0.2cents

Thanks guys! So baiting a tree with alfalfa works? I have access to lots of alfalfa. How is it done? We are going to be fishing santa rosa for the guys that asked. Lots of huge crappie. I appreciate everyones help and if anyone has other tips orsuggestions id love to hear em

Forget the alfalfa, just brushpiles work fine.

Remember guys, he's in New Mexico. Not a lot of creeks as we know them. Maybe a few Trout streams. I doubt that there's a Crappie guide there. I doubt that trolling with multiple rods is the answer either. Try one rod with a minnow for her. Jigs are my bait of choice but a bit hard for children to master at that age.

Be sure to check state/local regulations about tying a crappie to follow around to locate a school. It is illegal in many states.

If you want to learn fast and be able to review many different styles and situations, join Crappie Anglers of Texas ( CAT ) to be able to view the full seminar that are available. There are seminars not only featuring our very best regional pros, but the likes of Ronnie Capps, Wally Marshall, Todd Huckabee and Gary Dollahon/Kevin Rogers.