Crappie Trolling For Slabs

A lot of the Midsouth fishing folks live for the season of Crappie Trolling in the Mississippi Lakes, but I must warn you now, please check the new Laws stating that you can only have five poles out and the new limit is only 20 per person. 

Now that I've saved you from being ticketed about $125 for each crappie over the limit; let's catch some crappie.

I would say the main thing is know your depth finder. It is going to make you or break you when it comes to trolling. You have to find the shad and as of right now they are hanging off the points. When you find them on your depth finder, look right below them and you should see the bigger fish laying down about 12-20 feet.

That would be where I would start my jigs tipped with minnows. You are allowed two jigs on each line and make them different colors until you find out what the fish want that day. My first color would be anything that had Chartreuse in it, then a tube lure, Marabou JIG, and of course hair jigs, and don't be afraid of tipping them with minnows, I can't say that enough.

What you want to do is slowly drift over the spot that you have found and see if you pick any up. If not, adjust your depth until you start getting them. If I am casting, I will use a very slow retrieve and when you think you got it slow down even more.

A lot of times if you are casting pay attention, you are covering a lot of water at different depths and it will help you in locating the crappie.

What I like to do is rig up maybe just minnows with enough weight to get them down to the depth I am seeing on my depth finder, and I run those off the back of the boat, one on each side of the big motor.

Then I take another two rods and run one off each side of the boat with jigs tipped with minnows. Believe me that is enough to keep you busy. My brother and I did this at Horseshoe Lake in Arkansas and we cleaned house. We caught enough to last us awhile just letting the wind blow us. We had to go back twice to get minnows we were doing that well and the bait shop owner ask us to stop by on our way out for a picture for the papers.

I like to use open or closed Spinning rods at least 7 foot in length and 8 pound line. You might have to adjust your speed until you find out what the crappie are telling you.

If you are drifting and the wind comes up real strong, it will move your baits up and take the bait and bite away...adjust with the trolling motor. If the wind is not blowing the day you go, you might have to try different speeds until you start picking them up.

Pay close attention to your line; the bite will not be hard and do not horse the crappie in to you. They have what they call paper mouths and will rip very easy. That is why I recommend netting them when you get them to the boat.

Trolling can be the most relaxing day of fishing that you ever do. Get the poles out and while you're waiting for the first fish enjoy Mother Nature, everything will just be wakening up from a winter nap and there will be much to see.

Now that the first of March is on us there will be a lot more boat traffic so keep your eyes open and play it safe for another day of fishing.

Between now and the end of May, I plan on hitting it hard and will report back to you as what they are

doing. Check back at www.crappieslabfishing.com for updates or add the web site as a favorite to see how I'm doing with the honey holes.

Keep the Hooks Wet!

Steve McGoldrick