FISHING LAKE EUFAULA WITH JACKIE THOMPSON
Crappie Fishing Eufaula
 EDITOR'S
NOTE: Jackie Thompson of Eufaula, Alabama, has guided
on Lake Eufaula for 34 years. As a full-time guide,
Jackie deals with fishing all day, every day.
QUESTION: In recent years, you’ve started guiding
crappie fishermen on Lake Eufaula. How are you catching
your crappie?
THOMPSON: If I’m casting a crappie jig into deep
water and heavy structure, I may fish 15- pound-test
line. I use heavy line in case I’m fishing deep
and hang up. If I hang up, I’ll be able to get
the hook off, instead of taking the jig off, and I can
bend the hook back and keep fishing. In the spring when
the crappie come up shallow, I’ll fish for them
with an ultra-light tackle and either 6-or 8-pound-test
line. Many times, I’ll simply cast a jig out and
use a slow retrieve to let the jig swim close to the
bottom. At other times, I’ll count the jig down
as it falls to try and determine what depth the crappie
are holding at, and then start my retrieve. Once I  determine
the depth where the crappie are holding, I’ll
use a weighted bobber and set the bobber at 18 inches
above the jig. When I cast the jig out, I’ll let
it sit still. Many times crappie fishermen move their
jigs too much, and that’s the reason they don’t
catch many fish. I let the jig sit still for a long
time, then slightly move it and allow it to sit still
again. Most times, the crappie will take the jig when
it’s sitting still. Another tactic I use to catch
crappie is to fish a jigging spoon. I use a 3/4-ounce
Hopkins Shorty jigging spoon with 20-pound-test line.
I take the hooks that come standard on the spoon off,
and I’ll replace them with a lightweight wire
hook so  the
hook will straighten out if it gets caught. I also use
a split ring for a line tie so the jigging spoon will
have more action when I twitch it. I catch big crappie
with a jigging spoon, but I’ll also catch some
bass and stripers.
If you want to learn more about Jackie Thompson or
fishing Lake Eufaula, you can contact Thompson at (334)
687-9595. For more information about top-quality Mossy
Oak Fishing Line, go to www.mossyoakfishingline.com.
TOMORROW: THOMPSON FISHES FOR
BREAM
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