Page 8 - Crappie NOW | June 2016

Q: What have you learned from tournament fishermen?

Answers are from the Crappie Master staff during the Grenada Lake spring

tournament.

Dillon Stocking - “Being able to see
all the ways the tournament fishermen
catch fish and then using that information
to apply it to my fishing, the same as any
other fisherman can do. For example,
I take the tips from the fisherman from
lakes all over the country I apply to my
fishing at Truman. One tip when spider
rigging use a 3/8-ounce weight and use a
light jig below it. Tipped with a minnow, it
has more movement than using a heavy
jig and has made a big difference in my
fishing. Another example is how to use
aeration, frozen water and soda bottles
for cooling livewells to keep fish alive.
Dillon Stocking, Bobby Gaskin, Suzette
Valentine, Brian Sowers, Mike Valentine,
Kurt Sherman. Suzette Valentine - “Every
fisherman has a favorite bait and
bait color. I’ve learned one of their
favorite colors has worked great for me on Truman and other lakes. My favorite is
Junebug and the Spike-It 2-inch jig is especially good. I’ve used the jig whether
jigging or spider rig trolling. Tipping with Crappie Nibbles or minnows are good.”

Mike Valentine - “Probably the biggest thing is the different presentations. Slow trolling

especially. How to adjust depths and presentations at 1.2 or 0.2 mph. Learning different
presentations in different water clarities. Water clarity changes are more important than
just the clarity during normal conditions. For example, when wind blows across a point or
shallow flat and quickly muddies the water it creates an immediate change and will make
the bite very difficult. Normally muddy water the same color can be good because that’s
the normal clarity they are use to. Baits need to be different in clear and muddy water. A
bigger profile in muddy water helps the fish find it.
Making the right adjustment at the right time is usually what determines who wins a
tournament. A little change in bait size, area, speed or some little something is often the
difference in being successful. So the decisions and adjustments made before and during
a fishing usually determines the amount of success.

Kurt Sherman - I came from a bass background so I’ve learned crappie fishing is very

different in that you have to be patient. Fishermen must also adapt to different conditions
and be knowledgeable in electronics. The biggest tip is to take my time and don’t leave
fish too quickly. I’ve seen the result of this many times when a fisherman or team leaves
an area too quickly and not give the fish time to bite. Others come into the area and catch

8 Crappie NOW June 2016