Page 7 - Crappie NOW - February 2018

WINTER DOCKS

Typical shooting baits are 1/32- or
1/16-ounce jigs. The depth of the fish is a major
factor for jig weight. Although winter crappie
are considered to live in deep water homes,
the heating of floatation might have fish at six
inches to three feet from the surface because
of the warmer water around the floatation.
Other times the fish might be suspended or on
bottom. Six-pound test line is a good size for
most waters to give bait control while offering
enough strength.
- Tim Huffman

When a lake is pulled down a few feet during
the winter, it’s easier to get a bait under a
piling dock.

pitching and casting while a long pole is best
for pitching and flipping.

Shooting
Shooting allows a jig be shot back into
the darkest reaches where big crappie often
hide. Shooting 25- to 30-feet is possible
when room allows. A jig can be shot between
floatation that has a 6-inch opening under a
walkway by an experienced shooter.
Shooting is nothing more than a bow
and arrow technique. Line is released to let
out about three or four feet of line. The reel’s
bail remains open and the line from the reel is
held with the pointer finger against the rod to
hold it in place. The jig is grabbed by the head,
hook kept clear of the fingers, and then pulled
back. The rod is held pointed at the target with
the jig underneath and pulled tight to bend the
rod. The rod is aimed, the jig released and
the line released to keep the bait close to the
water with a fast trajectory. It takes practice
but it doesn’t take long to get a basic level of
proficiency.

7 Crappie NOW February 2018