Small Pond Fishing
If you're like CO, then during the week you’re planning the next outdoor adventure for the weekend. CO has already wrote about how the little ponds around your house can be good for quick fishing after work. If you haven’t you can read it here: http://www.capitoloutdoorsman.com/search/ label/Fishing. Heather wrote about how you don’t have to spend a lot of money to fish. http://www. capitoloutdoorswoman.com/2013/ 05/money-doesnt-grow-on-trees- panfishing.html Now its about the tips and tactics. If you've been following CO the last few weekends we have been Crappie fishing since the bite is on. If you haven’t you can watch it here.
One can catch Crappie year round but it is better during the Spring and Fall months. Most Crappie move in closer to shore after the winter months to begin feeding and spawning. You can usually find them around fallen trees or some type of structure. During the summer months they will move out to deeper water where the water is cooler.
In my opinion there are two techniques to use when Crappie fishing. Slip bobbers, and jigs. Yes, there are lots of different ways and lures to catch Crappie, but with these two techniques you will be able to determine where and how they are biting.
Slip bobbers:There are many benefits to having a slip bobber over the clip on bobber. In fact, a slip bobber will help you determine the depth of the fish faster than any other method besides a fish finder. At CO we don’t own a boat so we don’t have a fish finder. These wonderful bobbers allow for maximum depth exposure with the benefits of a bobber. Like all bobbers there are many different sizes and color. Heather enjoys pink!!! :)
CO was able to by all those products and three different stores for under $15. Crappie fishing doesn't have to be expensive.
Jigs: There is no special color to catch Crappie. Actually, Crappie can see in color and are sensitive to color. CO recommends using a Maribou Jig or a twister tail. Just recently the fishing technology has revolutionized the realism of minnows into a jig. 1/32 oz or 1/16 is what we recommend.
Now you have to work on your casting and how you catch those Crappie! You can do a slow and steady, use the slip bobber to vertically jig it (this is great for helping fish certain parts of structures), or cast out and jig it back in. Each area, time and day is different. Having a variety of colors in your tackle box is essential to finding out what they are biting on!!!
Good Luck and Stay Safe
CapitolOutdoorsman