How Fast Do You Troll Crankbaits For Crappie?


trolling equipment

– The average speed is 1.5 mph and the average direction is straight, so this must be achieved while being able to manage poles and catch fish at the same time.

Can you use crankbaits for trolling?

Trolling crankbaits based on the

inherent running depth

is called flat-lining. If walleyes are shallow, then crankbaits that run 6-8

feet deep

with 100 feet of line out like 15A Bomber Long A and Cotton Cordell Ripplin’ Red Fin will run right into the fish.

What is long lining for crappie?

The “pull” technique is called “long-line trolling,” and it presents crappie jigs on multiple lines pulled horizontally behind the boat Monk Wilson, crappie expert from Liberty, North Carolina, acknowledges that tight-line trolling produces more consistent catches day-in and day-out.

How do I make my lures deeper when trolling?

If you need to go deeper, just let out some backing until your target depth is reached On the lure end of the line, remove a short section of lead as before and tie on a size 18, or smaller, barrel swivel. Now use a 10 to 15 foot mono or fluorocarbon leader to tie on the lure.

How much line do you let out when trolling?

To get the lure back to its intended depth, you’ll have to let out another 25 feet of line. Then, you have to account for

water resistance

against the lure.

Do you use weights with crankbaits?

The answer is no. There is no need to use a weight or anything else with a crankbait Just tie it on to the end of your line and you’re good to go!.

Can you troll for crappie at night?

Go slow at night until you find ’em Fishing vertically is the best technique for catching summer crappie after dark, either slow-trolling vertically or setting over fish and dropping baits directly down to them.

What are crankbaits used for?

A crankbait is a moving bait made for catching the predatory species of fish under the surface as a moving animal imitating a baitfish in its environment These lures are designed so that the user can control how deep they dive in the water.

Can you troll a jerkbait?

Traditionally, bass anglers cast jerkbaits while walleye anglers troll them, spring and fall Both types of anglers want to cover water. Trolling jerkbaits along riprap or over shallow sand, gravel and rock contours catches big walleyes every year.

How can you tell how deep a crankbait will dive?

The first thing you will notice about crankbaits is the lip or bill on the front of each one designed to plane through the water and get the lure down in the water column. The diving depth of the lure can be roughly determined by the size of the bill; the bigger and longer, the deeper it will dive.

How do you control crankbait depth?

Move your crankbait too slow or too fast and it’ll run too shallow. The bill has to bite into the water at the correct angle for the lure to run as deep as possible The length of your cast is the next thing that affects running depth. A longer cast will let the bait get down deeper.

Can you troll with a jig lure?

Jigs can be long-line trolled directly behind the boat , but these lures are also ideally suited to trolling in combination with in-line boards.

What depth do you troll for crappie?

Although long-lining isn’t feasible shallower than 2 feet, 4- to 8-foot deep water can be very productive. “As long as there’s enough light penetration, the crappie will spawn.

What is the

best time

of year to catch crappie?

The best time of year to catch crappie is during the spawning season which takes place from February-May During the spawn, both male and female crappie move from deep locations into shallow and concentrated spawning areas. This makes them very easy to target, as they are actively feeding and defending their nests.

When should I spider rig for crappie?

Late winter to early spring is probably the most exciting time to spider-rig, with crappie at the peak of their growth cycle before the spawn, often moving into shallower waters, and extremely aggressive.

What is the best color jig for crappie?

Orange-white is good at times, but all-white is not so good. In stained water, low light, all-brown, brown-orange, black-lime and all-black have been consistent performers for my best crappie action. In stained water with a heavy algae bloom, the best colors are chartreuse and orange.

What is the best color crankbait?

Whites, silvers, and anything flashy that resembles a shad works wonders when it comes to crankbait fishing. It is always a good idea to have several shad-pattern crankbaits ready to go. Bright shad patterns like white excel in both clear and dirty water, and the more translucent shades are best for ultra-clear water.

Where can I throw crankbaits?

Ideal places to throw shallow crankbaits are around rocks, docks, submerged wood, and shallow grass lines The key with shallow-diving crankbaits is to fish them with no regard to getting them hung up.

How far behind the boat should I troll?

Bait Position and Distance Behind Boat Proper distance for most boats will be anywhere from 20 feet to 150 feet behind your boat. Whether you have inboard diesel or outboard gas engines, your power dictates the distance you troll your baits and lures.

How fast should you go when trolling?

The best trolling speed depends on several factors including the type of fish, water conditions and lure choice. In general, trolling speeds between 1.5 and 2.5 mph , as measured by GPS, are a good starting place for most species like walleye, trout and salmon.

Does trolling speed affect lure depth?

Trolling slightly faster or slower , the wind pushing the boat sideways, waves rocking the boat (tugging back and forth on the lures), underwater currents, water temperature, line diameter, variations in the lures (even though they look identical) and other factors all combine in very complex ways to affect a lure’s.

References

Crank it up — How to catch crappie trolling crankbaits