Page 12 - Crappie NOW - June 2018
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CRAPPIE SUMMER SUCCESS
He prefers an unpainted jighead with Hang gliding isn’t difficult, but boat
#4 sickle hook for all weight jigheads. His control is important. Ken Smith is fishing
heads are obtained from a custom pourer. Pymatuning.
During early spring when crappies are
still deep, Ken may employ a 1/8-ounce
head for depths over 20 feet. But during Rods are propped in ‘Y’ holders on
the summer, his jig weight is usually the gunnel of the boat with butts resting
1/16-ounce – just the right weight to track inside the boat. Ken then uses the breeze
behind the 1/2-ounce egg sinker. and his trolling motor to control the path
“But during the late summer, I find of the baits. He may take a path across
our northern crappies seem to like smaller a flat between two brushpiles marked on
baits, so I go to a 1/32-ounce head with a his sonar, or up and down the slopes of
1.25 inch Itty Bit Swim’r. My top summer a mid-lake hump to determine the depth
colors are Kentucky Bluegrass and Monkey crappies are holding.
Milk. “When I encounter a brushpile or crib,
Most of Ken’s summer fishing takes everyone takes up enough line so baits
place in depths from 8 to about 20 feet – skim one to two feet above the cover,”
depending on water color, baitfish activity explains Ken. “With the trolling motor, I
and available cover on each lake, as well will move the bow of the boat back and
as weather conditions. Once Ken selects forth over the cover – basically hovering in
an area, lines are lowered to the bottom. place.”
Then two or three turns of the reel handle According to Ken, two critical pieces
brings the jig into position about 2 feet of equipment enable him to make precise
above the bottom. presentations. “I have the transducer on
the trolling cantered to the left so I’m able
12 Crappie NOW June 2018
