BIG CRAPPIE NOW
 How
to Fish for Crappie
Editor's Note: If you want to find buried treasure,
you have to search for the places other treasure hunters
have overlooked. You must use research others haven't
discovered. You must develop a method of searching for
and finding the treasure all those who have failed haven't
used. "To find the biggest crappie in any lake,
you've got to fish the spots no one else knows about
with a method no one else uses at a time of year when
no one else fishes," says Gaston Jordan of Alexander
City, Alabama. Jordan catches the most crappie during
the hot summer months by fishing the bottom of any lake
in the middle of that lake. A lone soul anchored down
in a small boat in a vast expanse of water seems out
of place on a large lake as water-skiers and tournament
bass fishermen race by on both sides. The men in these
big boats must wonder if Jordan has lost his mind. But
from May through September, Gaston Jordan finds the
big slab crappie that most other anglers don't catch.
 Most
anglers who fish the deep-water humps and ledges also
anchor their boats in the deep water. Many cast their
baits onto the tops of underwater humps and retrieve
their lures down the mounds. Jordan has learned if he
anchors his boat on the top of the hump and fan-casts
all around the structure, he has much more success.
"If at all possible, I want to anchor down right
on top of any mound I locate," Jordan says. "I
want to cast my jig into the deep water and bottom hop
the bait up the hump to catch crappie." Jordan
fishes two rods at the same time. Then he can catch
twice as many crappie in half the time as an angler
who fishes with only one rod. "I cast the first
rod out and let the jig fall to the bottom," Jordan
reports. "Then I cast the second rod out. As the
lure on the second rod falls to the bottom, I begin
to reel in my line on the first rod and fish the jig
back to the boat. When I get one rod reeled in, I cast
that line back out, pick up the other rod and start
to reel in the jig on the second rod."
 Jordan
has found most of his crappie strikes come as the jig
falls. Once the jig hits the bottom, he gives the rod
two or three quick jerks upward to cause the jig to
jump 12 to 18 inches off the bottom. Then when the jig
falls back to the bottom, Jordan takes up slack and
repeats the same motion. "You must watch your line
to catch crappie in deep water," Jordan emphasizes.
"Often when the crappie attacks as the bait falls,
you'll only see a tick on the line. Or, the line simply
may stop before it falls all the way to the bottom.
If you see the line stop, set the hook, because the
crappie has hit the jig and is swimming up with it."
 For
more information about how to find and catch crappie,
order "The Masters' Secrets of Crappie Fishing"
by John E. Phillips by calling (800) 627-4295, using
PayPal or sending a check or a money order for $13.50,
which includes shipping and handling, to 4112 Camp Horner
Road Birmingham, AL 35243. You can learn more by visiting
www.nighthawkpublications.com/fishing/masterscrappie.htm.
TOMORROW: MORE ON HOW TO FISH FOR CRAPPIE
|
