Page 5 - Crappie NOW | November2015
P. 5
Championship Patterns
good one were located shallow. Some and ended up with too few fish for a weigh-
fishermen stayed with the pattern mainly in limit. But no fishermen in a tournament
because they couldn’t catch a seven fish can be criticized for going for fish that might
limit in other depths. win.
Pattern Number Two Deeper tactics were usually slow
The deep fish, mostly in the 18 to 20 trolling or holding poles, one in each hand.
foot range, were very difficult to catch but Slow trolling simply puts more baits into the
were some of the biggest caught during water. Holding two poles still gives a number
pre-fishing practice and some during the of baits but holding allows a fishermen to
tournament. These fish were big but also hold poles still and have a better feel of
difficult to keep alive. The second place bites. When fishing choppy water, holding
team used this pattern and found three poles is very important. The second place
trees along a drop that produced. team single-pole fished.
The deeper pattern was definitely a Pattern Number Three
ledge/drop-off pattern. Fishermen would Pattern three was mid-depth water.
pick a drop, run it with electronics, and mark First place fished 6 to 12 feet while third
good cover with fish. The key was to find the place was in the 12-14 foot range. Good
spots where fish were active enough that fish were difficult to find, some areas were
the team could catch seven fish a day for highly pressured during practice week, and
a tournament limit. Many went for the win most fish were very tight-lipped not wanting
5 Crappie NOW November 2015
