Page 7 - Crappie NOW - March 2018

LEDGES

straight sections, along with natural and there is current, wind or if baits must be
manmade cover. Electronics is a necessity placed deep. Use just enough weight to
so a fisherman should maximize mapping, keep baits vertical.
scanning and sonar when possible. Side A bait tip for lakes with big fish is
scanning, down imaging and advanced to use big baits in early spring. Try a
scanning options are a big plus but not 1/4-ounce jig with a 3- or 3.5-inch plastic
required. Again, having more is better, body, or, a big hair jig. Tip any jig with
but using whatever you have, even if it’s a medium to large minnow. When water
basic, is very important when dealing with temperatures near 60 degrees, the big
a drop-off and cover. slabs like big meals without exerting a lot
Slow trolling is often the best of energy.
technique for fishing ledges in cold or
cool water. Multiple poles and baits Final Comments
allow different depths to be fished Ledges are good year-round with
simultaneously, or, all baits can target a mid-depth ledges, creek ledges and other
specific depth. The extra baits increase natural drops being top picks, especially
the odds of catching fish. when crappie start transitioning from
winter homes. Naturally, in most lakes,
the crappie will be on the deepest
“When water temperatures near 60 channels in mid-winter slowly working up
degrees the big slabs like big meals to the shallow channels as water warms.
without exerting a lot of energy.” Timing will be much different in the south
compared to the north.
Two important lessons are (1)
keep an open mind because crappie can
Slow trolling allows a fisherman to change depths and locations quickly when
move at a moderate speed, slow, super- weather changes, fronts move through
slow or completely stopped. Baits can and water temperatures change; (2) the
be moved along when looking for active important thing is to use your electronics
fish but stopped when a fish is caught, or and maps to find potential areas. Search
electronics shows good cover and fish. and study. Time spent with electronics
Discussing baits is always fun, provides quicker searches than just
because no matter what is mentioned, fishing.
there will be a number of fishermen who My big thanks goes to Billy Don
disagree. Surface prefers Muddy Water Surface for sharing the boat and letting
Baits for their toughness, colors and me catch a few fish. He spent hours
scent. He says during cold water up until answering questions and let me shoot
the spawn, minnows are always a good photos. The Surface/Jones team is
choice for basic fishing and catching sponsored by Missouri Corn Growers/
numbers of crappie. However, jigs often American Ethanol, Muddy Water Baits
catch the biggest fish. and others.
When slow trolling try using a
double-hook rig with a minnow on top and
a jig on bottom, with a sinker in between.
Only by trying different combinations of
baits will the best choice for the day be - Tim Huffman
determined.
A 3/8- or 1/2-ounce sinker between
the baits is good if there is no current or
wind. Move to a 3/4- or 1-ounce sinker is

7 Crappie NOW March 2018