Fishing Tips
TROTLINES
Trotlines are for the serious fisherman. You have to put in some work putting them out and picking them up but you'd be surprised how many pounds of fish you can put in the freezer in a couple of days. Trotlines can be used shallow or deep, lake or river, and any time of the year. A trotline is made up of a long line, with many hooks place at intervals along the line and anchored at both ends. There are many tricks to successful fishing with a trotline, some of which are – tensioning of the main line, hook placement in relation to the bottom, materials used in the makeup, how its anchored at the ends, and the location which it is placed. Most states regulate the use of trotlines and put requirements on the total length, number of hooks, float color and material, etc., so be sure to know the rules before you set one out. If you have never fished with a trotline before consider finding a friend to give you some tips or purchasing instructions and tips for how to set out and use. Trotlines need to be run at regular intervals (once a day, etc.) to remove fish and rebait as needed.
(CRAPPIE)
To start, go to colors that is most visible at that depth and the clarity of the water. And by tipping a minnow on a jig will not only make it look more lively, but crappie can home in on the scent. Combining the brightness of a jig and the flash and scent of a minnow also makes it easier for crappies to find the offering.
The action of the jig-minnow combination also plays a huge part of appealing crappie. Minnows make a jig more buoyant, slowing its fall and making its motion more subtle. Keeping the minnows alive is helpful, but not overly important, because the jigs provide the main action. The most important thing is to hook the minnow through the lower lip and out the top of the head, which keeps them on the hook and so that it sits upright in a natural manner. This also helps keep them stay alive longer. we've found that using the minnows with jigs can be the best of both worlds. We like it for fishing in thick brush, and the minnow helps from getting hung up (we hook them through the lips when fishing them with jigs) to keep the hook point from engaging too many snags. Another advantage of using jig-minnow combination is that jigs are highly visible in a variety of water colors. Experiment with the jig colors until you find out what they want.
(CATFISH)
STRUCTURE...
Noted as being one of the most important factors in finding consistently good cat fishing. In rivers, structures are the log jams, brush piles, sunken logs, below riffles, points off sand bars, cut banks, and drop-offs where feeder streams enter rivers. Sand or gravel bottoms, no mud, with a moderate current are good consistent catfish attracting spots. You’ll find catfish midway between swift water and dead calms. This will take some experimentation each time out. Remember, structure to catfish is home, a place where they congregate in large numbers during the time when they are not out prowling for food.
RIGGING...To rig your line, first put your line thru an egg-shaped or slip sinker. Then tie on a snap swivel and attach your hook, worm or sponge to the swivel. The snap swivel makes it easy to change worms with deeply hooked fish. Now bait your rig and get ready for some good fishing. Since catfish are very sensitive to resistance, fish with an open bail so that when the catfish picks up the bait, he can run with it. Be sure to set the hook hard when he starts to run off with it.
When crappies are holding tight to cover due to a change in water temperature or barometric pressure, or because the water has suddenly risen or fallen, it is essential to fish for them in a vertical motion. The problem may be that they are tight to cover and usually shallow, with adjacent deep pockets or holes near by, but not enough to position a boat over the top of them. Therefore, a vertical presentation with a slip bobber might do the trick. It will allow the presentation of the bait over the top of the crappie. Culprit Crappie Baits
Something that is important to remember is that crappies always feed on food that is in front of them and just slightly above them. The bobber should be set so that it will present the bait in a suspended offering, and once you find the depth you can work the shoreline around structure like stumps and points.
Tassel Tail Color SelectionsI like to cast small jigs below a slip bobber to these shallow water crappies. A jig in the 1/16- to 1/64-ounce size range will be best. A 2" Tassel Tail Grub in pink, orange or chartreuse would be a good choice. If the crappies are aggressive, use the larger jig sizes; when they're finicky go with the smaller jigs. It sometimes helps to attach a split shot or two, eight to twelve inches above the smaller jigs.
Give me an ultralight rod and reel with four-to six-pound test line, a handful of jigs, Culprit 2" Tassel Tail Grubs, a nice day and some crappies that are willing to bite and I'm a happy guy. You'll be happy too, if you take advantage of this early season crappie bite that is going on somewhere near you right now.
Drift Fishing For Crappie: A Productive Way To Catch Some Big Crappie
Equipment You Will Need
* Boat
* Trolling motor
* Marker buoys
* Light Spinning Tackle
* Crappie rigs
* Marker buoys
* Jigs
Best Location To Drift Fish For Crappie
The Hardest part about catching crappie while drift fishing is locating the schools. You will need a topographical map of the area, and should have a good depth, fish finder. You can pick the topographical map up at the local bait store. (It's advisable to go there to get the latest fishing report anyway.) Crappie school in open water and if you can find the schools you can catch a good batch of crappie. Also it has been my experience , the crappie you catch in open water while drift fishing seem to be bigger. The first step you should before you get out on the water is locate the deepest part of body of water you are fishing on from your topographical map, this will be your starting point. You will be fishing the break area's on the bottom surface. To Locate a break area look for changes in depth on your depth finder. Any break deep to shallow, or shallow to deep are good spots to drift. Try to avoid any flat dead pan bottom surface areas. You will just waist your time in these areas
How to Set Your Drift for Crappie Fishing
Locate the winds direction and set you boat in position to drift along the break. (change in bottom depth) Make sure your boat drifts along the deeper side of the break. You will use your trolling motor to keep your drift in position along the deep side of the break. If you don't have a trolling motor your have to use you boat motor to get back in position. (this can spook the fish, that's why a trolling motor is recommended. The Depth finder will be your guide to stay along the deep side of the break, and to locate the fish. Set up a weighted crappie rig to just touch bottom with sinker position your baits about 18 to 24 inches off the bottom. As you drift, watch the rod tip, it will bounce up and down slightly as the weight drags along the bottom. If the tip of the rod remains still the sinker is not in contact with the bottom. When you catch the first fish drop one of your marker buoys to mark the spot. Continue to drift until another fish is caught or about 75 yards, then drop another buoy. This marks your drift location for a return drift or anchor position. Drift about 50 more yards past the second buoy then start up your boat motor and go around the buoys approximately 75 yards away. Know move your boat back in position for another drift. Normally the school will be concentrated in one area. Keep working the spot until you get no more bites. If your lucky you can catch your limit and a short time.
You can use this technique on any body of water so have fun! And good luck!
Author Mark Fleagle
203 N Ash Street
St. Marys,Ohio
45885
e-mail: admin@oldfishinghole.com
Note: All types of catfish, bullhead, flathead, channel, and blues are extremely active
when you fish at night using submerged lighting, and a chum system. ALSO its a known
fact that the biggest catfish are caught at night
First off , I have been fishing for catfish for over 20 years. In all the catfish fishing trips i
have taken, fishing at night has produced the best results. Catfish are night feeders and
after 8pm at night look out! My PRIMARY fishing spot is Lake St Marys In Ohio. But All of
the techniques I use can be applied at any fishery that holds Catfish. My biggest catch
ever was a 28lb blue cat. Caught at night, using chubs for bait. For best results cut the
chubs in chunks about 2" inches wide. (use the heads also) . Also I use bluegill heads.
The best size to use bluegill's 3 to 4inches in length.
Drift Fishing For Catfish
Drift fishing can be a very productive way to get allot of 3 to 4lb Blue catfish, or channel
catfish. Drift fishing is also an excellent way to find a productive spot and anchor . I am
going to Identify some drift fishing tips below that will increase your chances of a
successful cat fishing trip the next time you go out. I always drift fish to find a productive
location, and if you are unfamiliar with the fishery, you will increase your chance of a
successful fishing trip drastically.
#1 Talk To The Folks At The Local Bait Shop
If you are unfamiliar with a fishery , you need to seek out some advice on where the
catfish have been biting. These guys our gals talk to fisherman everyday and can give
you some valuable advice on where to start drift fishing. Also, Ask for a map showing the
layout of the fishery. If you can, get the guys at the bait shop to circle areas on the map
for you. This can save you a lot of time and make your set up time allot easier. You will
get an idea of the fishery's water depth and bottom content, so you can set your catfish
rigs accordingly.
#2 Catfish Rigs & Setups
Make sure you set up at least (4) poles. I recommend you vary your setups to see what
works best for you. Once you start catching fish take note to what set up is working best
for you. If there is a noticeable difference between one of the setups compared to the
others change. You will be surprised at how many fisherman don't do this, and they a
miss out on catching more fish. This tip alone can increase your catch substantially.I am
not going to go into detail here and the various setup rigs, but you can visit my Catfish
rigs and tackle web page to get this information. CLICK HERE
#3 Boat Location
Turn you boat so it perpendicular to the shore line. You will have to vary your distance
from the shoreline, until you find a productive drift. I recommend you start about 100yds
from the bank and work you way out. Let the boat start drifting before you cast your
catfish rigs out. Make sure you cast your poles the opposite direction you are drifting.
You want your drift to pull your baits along the bottom with the drift. I recommend you
work the area for about 15 to 30 minutes varying the distance from the shoreline each
time. If after 30 minutes you don't pickup any hits, move on to another spot. Remember,
you are drifting to find a productive spot to anchor.
Anchored Fishing For Catfish
Anchored fishing for catfish is the most productive way of catching catfish. Once you
have drifted and found your honey hole , it is time to set your anchor. I am going to
Identify some anchored fishing tips below that will increase your chances of a successful
cat fishing trip when you are anchored.
#1 Set Up A Illumination device (For night fishing)
Submerged light is one of the most under used night fishing techniques . I consider it the
most important, If you are serious about catching some big catfish, I mean in the 5lb plus
range this is a must investment. Since I purchased mine I have caught channel, and
blues 5lb plus every time I have gone out. A submerged lighting system is especially
important when you are Night fishing for catfish and here's why:
It basically creates a massive swarm of feeding fish in any fishing spot by first attracting
small organisms called "zoo plankton" to your spot. Next it attracts the native bait fish in
the area by the hundreds - which soon brings the game fish swarming to the area. It is a
scientific way of creating a food chain feeding frenzy in your spot, and it has proven to
catch more fish for many different types of fishermen in both saltwater and freshwater.
I only recommend one , I have purchased it and I use it religiously , every time I go out
night fishing in my boat or when I do my bank fishing from the St. Marys river in Ohio.
This System is so powerful that the manufacture give a 180 day free trial if you try it and
don't like they will give your money back no questions asked Click Here To see the
system.
#2 Set Up A Chumming System
Chumming is a technique that is not used near enough by folks fishing for catfish.
Chumming works best at night, but works well during the day too. All Catfish species,
channels, blue shovelhead (flathead) and bullhead rely on their sense of smell at night
to find and hone in on their prey. They must either "sense" wounded prey moving or
smell the food. Well you guessed it! That is where the chumming comes in. Here's how I
do it: Get your self a small mesh bag with small openings that you can close with a string.
I use throw away chum bags from bass pro shop click here to see .Cut you dead bait up
into small pieces and place in the bag. (I always cut up about 10 chubs or bluegills into
small pieces and put the chum in a plastic storage bag and let them sit for a couple of
hours out in the sun before I go out night fishing. You can also use pre-packaged chum
if you don't to mess with making your own chum click here for pre pre-made chum.
Then I empty the storage contents into my meshed bag. I use a 5lb weight that hangs
from the bottom of the bag Then I tie a line at the top of the bag long enough for the bag
to go to the bottom. Then lower the bag into the water next to my illumination device. I
also scatter all the blood remains on top of the water to create a "slick" for the Catfish to
smell. YOU WILL BE AMAZED how this attracts fish. You should allot of bait fish
swimming around your chum bag and Illumination device in about 20 to 60 min. The bait
fish and the chum will attract allot of big catfish so be ready for some action.
#3 Catfish rigs and tackle
On 2 of your rigs use the set up from above that you got the best results.
One pole , you want to lower a line about 5 to 10 ft from your chum set up. I prefer to use
a slip bobber set up for this line. The one I use is called " a bobber with a brain" click
here to see the one I use. On your last line set it up for heavy test line and use a #4/0
hook. Cast out about 25 yards from you submerged lighting device. Bait this line with a
blue gill in the 1 to 3" range. Click here for other rig setups. Use the least amount of
weight that you can by with, and open your bail if you are using a open face, If you are
using a bait caster click your cast button so line can release freely. Now if you see that
your line is starting to move on this pole wait! wait! wait! It takes a large catfish to
swallow, the blue gill so you want to make sure the bait is in the catfish's gullet, before
setting the hook. It's been my experience the big catfish will make there initial run, and
then stop. On the second run is when you want set the hook.
Black crappie is a popular sport fish. Because it is omnivorous, fisherman are able to use many methods to catch them and they can be caught at all times of the year.
Black Crappie
Pomoxis nigromaculatus
At-a-Glance
• Typical Foods: planktonic crustaceans, aquatic insects, and minnows
Description
Black crappie closely resemble white crappie, but have deeper bodies. Furthermore, their head, back, and sides are mottled with dusky or black blotches. These blotches do not form vertical bands as on white crappie. The most reliable characteristic, however, is that black crappie have seven or eight dorsal spines.
Habitat and Habits
Black crappie are less widely distributed than white crappie in Ohio, but are generally found throughout the state including western Lake Erie. Generally, black crappie prefer clear water containing aquatic vegetation. They are less tolerant of silt and turbidity than white crappie.
Reproduction and Care of the Young
Black crappie spawn during May and June in Ohio. Males construct a nest by fanning out small depressions on the bottom in and around brush, rocks, or vegetation in water between one and five feet deep. Females then lay 5,000 to 30,000 eggs in the nest. After hatching, crappie feed on zooplankton and insect larvae. As they grow, crappie switch primarily to a diet of small fish.
Crappie Food: Young crappie feed on insects. As crappie grow, they feed more and more on baitfish, and particularly minnows, until baitfish comprise nearly their whole diet. Crappie will also eat worms, maggots and crustaceans, and adult black crappie will still eat aquatic insects.
(CRAPPIE)
Small bays and backwater areas will be where we see the first signs of panfish. As soon as the water starts to warm, and bugs and minnows start becoming evident, the bluegills, crappies and sunfish will go on a feeding binge. If you're there, the action can be fast.
Like other panfish species, crappies know there is safety in numbers, and they travel in schools usually according to age group. Ice anglers know that crappies often suspend in or near stickups, fallen trees and other woody structure. As the ice goes, fish move closer to shallow water, taking advantage of protective vegetation and wood debris. Deep-water points and submerged creek channels also attract them.
Late afternoon is probably the best time to be on the water, or in some cases, on the bank. Many of the best spots can be reached from shore. Later in the day is generally best because the water has had a chance to warm for several hours, and the fish will be most active when the water is warmest. With the wide body and horizontal presentation of this jig, it can be slow trolled through skinny water.
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