Page 15 - Crappie NOW - September 2017
P. 15
ONE-POLE TECHNIQUES
will pull it up. If that doesn’t work, I might Standing timber is a favorite target for Mike
pull it sideways at 2 or 3 different depths. Vallentine when he is one-pole fishing. He
“At that point, if I am consistently suggests targeting groupings of standing
seeing fish on my electronics, I will focus timber rather than a single tree.
in on those depths where the fish are
holding. If I have gone through those deep the fish are holding.
motions, then it’s time to hold it still for a “Sometimes they want it coming
while.” down and at an angle; sometimes they
On many days, a vertical want it straight down on top of them;
presentation is all that is needed. sometimes they want to see it drop and
“It’s real simple,” Vallentine said. then see it sit dead still. Then they will
“Pitch a jig in to a piece of visible timber. come and hammer it.”
Pitch the jig past the tree and let it For his “slow raise” technique,
drop down to them. You are looking for Vallentine feathers the line and slowly
consistency of bite in terms of just how brings the jig back through the water
column, often catching fish at or near the
surface even if they are holding much
“You can one-pole fish deeper. He emphasizes the need to raise
anywhere and catch fish.” the jig very slowly and also the need to
be patient with fish biting in this manner.
“Sometimes the sky’s the limit,” he
15 Crappie NOW September 2017
