Page 14 - Crappie NOW - August 2018
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CRANK UP SUMMER CRAPPIE
very good and this year baits with orange
work better. A crappie comes to the boat. Trolling causes
With many years of trolling water pressure on a hooked fish so it comes
experience, John had some excellent tips to the top where it can be kept while reeling
to catch more fish while trolling in the hot it to the boat.
weather conditions:
• Troll with the wind because it reduces on the I-55 lakes)
boat slap noise and it’s easier to control • If the crappie are biting but not
the boat getting hooked, change colors
• Make wide turns to prevent line • Use your graph to find schools of
tangling baitfish and to determine thermocline;
• Start at slower speeds, and increase most crappie will hover near or above the
if bite is slow, often times the faster speed thermocline
will create the reaction bite better • Once a specific depth is established
• For stained water, use darker colored for bites, typically along ledges, follow
crank baits; for clearer water, use shad graph contour lines
colored baits (black & orange along with • Adjust depth of crankbaits to the
black & pink have been excellent colors
14 Crappie NOW August 2018
