Page 10 - Crappie NOW - September 2017
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TACKLING TURNOVER TO CATCH FALL CRAPPIE
that turnover too,” he says. “The bigger
fish seem to be more adapted to that Dock shooting is an effective way to catch
water change and adjust better.” crappie in the shallows during the fall
When his lake turns over, Blankenship turnover.
also heads to the backs of coves and
creeks where shad have migrated to the to cast than smaller floats.
cooler water. “As the baitfish go the Blankenship’s favorite lures for
game fish go after them,” he says. bobber fishing are Bobby Garland Baby
Blankenship looks for any laydowns Shads, Baby Shad Swim’Rs and 3-inch
or submerged logs near the bank where Slab Slay’Rs in blue ice or bright colors
crappie hold close to the cover. He also (white/chartreuse, pink/chartreuse, red/
targets shallow docks. “A lot of times you chartreuse or yellow). He attaches his
can find those fish tight to the docks right soft plastics to a 1/16-ounce jighead
up underneath them,” he says. most of the time but will downscale to a
When keying on the shallow wood, 1/32-oucne jighead for fishing in ultra-
Blankenship prefers casting to the cover shallow water.
with a jig-and-bobber rig. He favors an The Missouri guide suggests using
egg-shaped float with about a 3/4-inch little or no movement for the jig-and-
diameter. “I try not to get one too big bobber presentation. “It is typical to move
because I don’t want the fish to have to it a bit if you have a feeling fish are in that
fight that bobber,” he said. The guide also cover sometimes it doesn’t hurt to let it
likes that size bobber because it is easier sit for a little bit because that fish has the
10 Crappie NOW September 2017
