Page 6 - Crappie NOW | January 2015
P. 6
Cold-Weather Stump Fishing
Dressing in warm clothes is essential in brutal winter temps. A heater isn t a bad idea
either. Ronnie Capps and Steve Coleman fish a stump field on a cold, snowy day.
and can be fully adjustable to match the Factors
fisherman. Wind: There is nothing more important
Baits vary but minnows are difficult to than total control of the boat, says Gowan.
beat for slow presentations in cold water. If you have good control you can do other
things wrong and still catch fish. If you dont
Catching Fish control the boat you wont catch many fish
Ronnie Capps says, Ive had people compared to having control. Its as simple
go by me with the same set-up and same and important as that.
baits but they are not catching fish. The His boat control in the wind might
answer is simple; they are going too fast. include dragging chains or using windsocks.
Winter means stopped or barely moving. He prefers to use two 50-inch socks. The
Crappie want the bait slower than any other socks can be kept close to the boat so they
time of the year. Move it fast and they wont dont hang on stumps as often as a chain.
take it. Also, the speed is more consistent with the
Capps will use different tactics but socks.
dragging a large chain is one way he slows Water Color: Visibility can increase
the boat. When set correctly, it basically as water clears in the winter. When this
stops the boat but he can hit the trolling happens its important to stay as far from
motor to move ahead. However, he says its the fish as possible. Light line is important
best to just use the chain and stay off the too.
trolling motor for the quietest presentation Snow/Blizzard: Capps says some
possible. of his best fishing has been when other
fishermen stay home by the fire. Wind,
6 Crappie NOW January 2015
Dressing in warm clothes is essential in brutal winter temps. A heater isn t a bad idea
either. Ronnie Capps and Steve Coleman fish a stump field on a cold, snowy day.
and can be fully adjustable to match the Factors
fisherman. Wind: There is nothing more important
Baits vary but minnows are difficult to than total control of the boat, says Gowan.
beat for slow presentations in cold water. If you have good control you can do other
things wrong and still catch fish. If you dont
Catching Fish control the boat you wont catch many fish
Ronnie Capps says, Ive had people compared to having control. Its as simple
go by me with the same set-up and same and important as that.
baits but they are not catching fish. The His boat control in the wind might
answer is simple; they are going too fast. include dragging chains or using windsocks.
Winter means stopped or barely moving. He prefers to use two 50-inch socks. The
Crappie want the bait slower than any other socks can be kept close to the boat so they
time of the year. Move it fast and they wont dont hang on stumps as often as a chain.
take it. Also, the speed is more consistent with the
Capps will use different tactics but socks.
dragging a large chain is one way he slows Water Color: Visibility can increase
the boat. When set correctly, it basically as water clears in the winter. When this
stops the boat but he can hit the trolling happens its important to stay as far from
motor to move ahead. However, he says its the fish as possible. Light line is important
best to just use the chain and stay off the too.
trolling motor for the quietest presentation Snow/Blizzard: Capps says some
possible. of his best fishing has been when other
fishermen stay home by the fire. Wind,
6 Crappie NOW January 2015
