Page 11 - Crappie NOW - January 2018
P. 11
ICE GADGETS
Lefebre goes on to say the greatest
asset to ice fishing recently has been the Ice fishing success!
lithium battery. “Lithium batteries hold a
charge so much longer than conventional with a Tigger X Nymph body.
lead batteries, and are smaller in size. All my “You rarely find crappies hugging the
electronic devices are powered by lithium bottom,” continues Lefebre. “Under the
batteries.” ice, they will be suspended mid-depth and
Lefebre depends on three unique baits typically they are high in the water column.
to catch crappies. First is Rapala’s Jigging The depth depends on water clarity and
Shad Rap – a lure that is smaller and wider depth of preferred baitfish. For example, on
than the original Jigging Rap. It’s a reaction Presque Isle Bay, I always find crappies 4 to
lure you work by lifting and lowering a short 6 feet below the surface regardless of water
distance, thereby causing it to swim in a depth.”
circle. Short little snaps send it darting about. Lefebre concludes by stressing this
“My next bait is the Slab Rap – a lipless point: “Drop the bait below a crappie, and the
rattle bait – for days when crappies are little fish is a goner – it will not follow the bait down.
tougher to catch. Again, work it vertically by Once the lure disappears below a crappie,
lowering it to just above fish and then lifting the fish will be spooked and will move on.”
and dropping it. The rattles often turn them
on. If the rattles don’t do it, then I go stealth
mode with a VMC Tungsten Tubby Jig tipped
- Darl Black
11 Crappie NOW January 2018
