Page 11 - Crappie NOW| October2015

Strategies For Fishing A New Lake

brush, standing timber and drops, but FINE TUNE COLORS FOR MAXIMUM
I can see forage and schools of fish,” RESULTS
Parrott said. “I can easily mark and save Dan Dannenmueller said that
these places then systematically go back depth, speed and color or type of lure will
over each to study them in detail and make a profound difference in success.
perhaps fish them if they look promising. “When working out patterns on
I’m not looking to catch a lot of fish from a a lake I can use my graph to help me
spot at this time. I’m searching for cover define the preferred depth and position
that holds fish and then refine my search in the water column crappie prefer at a
to find targets that holds the biggest given time,” Dannenmueller said. “But
crappie.” for the best jig and trailer color I rely on
Parrot said with this strategy on a color selector to get me in the right
tournament day he will likely have several ballpark. I can then refine the subtle
places where fish are located and where difference in color preferences to find
the biggest fish are likely to be. That gives the absolute best.”
him a priority order to fish the places with “I will often spider rig and use a
the knowledge that as he catches fish he double rig with minnows as well as jigs,”
may be able to further refine the process he said. “Some days these fish are
and adapt further. meat-eaters and minnows will be best.
“The idea is to use all the resources Other days a subtle difference in jig and
available and fish systematically so I’ll trailer colors will be crucial.
quickly develop a strong crappie catching “My firm belief is that after using
pattern,” Parrot said. all these modern tools to narrow the
Dannenmueller and Parrot agree search, let the fish tell you what they
that meshing all the data available makes want and where they want it,” he said.
them better able to adapt quickly when “The bottom line will be more and bigger
fishing a new lake. They said adaptation crappie caught.”
throughout a day of fishing will be valuable
to getting and staying on ever-changing
fish patterns as conditions change.
“By meshing all the information I can
obtain before fishing a lake for the first
time, or at a different time of the year,
I don’t really feel like I’m fishing a new
lake in one sense,” Dannenmueller said.
“I may not be my home lake, but I do want
to feel at home on the lake when I first
arrive. The number and size of crappie I
catch is payback for that effort.”
Whether prepping for a tournament
or simply fishing for fun, armed with
knowledge and a plan of action anglers
can make their dream trip a crappie-
catching reality.

- By Terry Madewell

11 Crappie NOW October 2015