Page 11 - Crappie NOW | August 2015
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Hump Fishing for Summer Crappie
be anywhere in the immediate vicinity of the Hooker Brakeman prefers the Garland Slab
hump. But on bright sunny days, crappies will Dockt’r for late summer when you shad
generally be very close to cover and nearer have grown a bit.
the bottom.
Hooker will vary the weight of his jig from then placed in a Driftmaster Rod Holder.
1/64 to ¼-ounce depending on wind, depth Hooker explains: “The lightweight jig
and attitude of fish. Aggressive fish means he on the second rod is simply trailing the boat
can fish faster with a slightly heavier jig, while as I work around a hump. The bait rises as I
crappies with lockjaw usually require a lighter, move the boat forward and then drifts slowly
slower-falling jig. downward when the boat slows. The bait is
Hooker says he has never found it floating in the water column just off the hump.
necessary to run through 20 or more wild The realistic Garland Baby Shad is something
color combinations to catch crappies. “Color no crappie can pass up – even fish that are
wise, I keep it simple with black, pearl, blue, suspended and not really feeding. That second
chartreuse, and pink,” he adds. rod catches a lot of bonus fish, and it does not
“Early in the summer, I have great require me to anything except to glance at the
success with Bobby Garland Baby Shad. But rod tip now and then.”
later in summer I switch to a larger profile Hooker says August is prime hump time
Bobby Garland bait, such as the Swimming for crappies on northern lakes. “You can catch
Minnow and Slab Dockt’R.” summer crappies right now if you follow the
When checking out a hump, Hooker above recommendations.
generally has two rods in the water. With the
first rod he is casting and retrieving a jig. The - By Darl Black
second rod has a 1/32-ounce jighead with
a Baby Shad body. This rod is cast a short
distance off the opposite side of the boat and
11 Crappie NOW August 2015
