Deep water rig for crappie

Author
Post
Essentials Only Full Version
Cold
Pro Angler
  • Total Posts : 7358
  • Reward points: 0
  • Status: offline
2008/07/02 12:37:26 (permalink)

Deep water rig for crappie

I'd like to try using mini-tubes for crappie, but to do this in July means finding some deep water.  Does anyone know of any good rigs for fishing mini-tubes in deep water?  I'm thinking something like a downsized carolina rig or something, but I'd like to be able to float the tube a foot or two off of the bottom.  Any ideas?  Also, I'm not really experienced with the different rigs, usually preferring spinners or crankbaits, so if this idea is kind of bass ackwards, just let me know.  Then again, I caught a decent amount of trout by dropping weighted powerbait off the top a few years ago...
#1

7 Replies Related Threads
    gizmos
    Pro Angler
    • Total Posts : 1190
    • Reward points: 0
    • Joined: 2006/09/09 20:21:10
    • Status: offline
    RE: Deep water rig for crappie 2008/07/02 12:50:07 (permalink)
    How about a light set up drop-shot ?

    Eat what you catch,troll for cows.
    #2
    eyechaser
    New Angler
    • Total Posts : 8
    • Reward points: 0
    • Joined: 2001/01/12 08:16:29
    • Status: offline
    RE: Deep water rig for crappie 2008/07/02 14:26:32 (permalink)
    How about the kentucky rig? you can make up several of these with different weights and hook setups.
    #3
    mikelravy
    Avid Angler
    • Total Posts : 163
    • Reward points: 0
    • Joined: 2007/05/08 15:37:47
    • Status: offline
    RE: Deep water rig for crappie 2008/07/02 14:34:44 (permalink)
    Or a double jig rig with the heavier jig on the bottom to get it down and a lighter one above for triggering.  Works pretty well on suspended fish.
    #4
    Cold
    Pro Angler
    • Total Posts : 7358
    • Reward points: 0
    • Status: offline
    RE: Deep water rig for crappie 2008/07/02 17:45:22 (permalink)
    Thanks guys...it looks like that's what I'll end up doing (drop shot or KY rig)...I was hoping for the freer line that the Carolina rig gives you...I've just started fishing plastics this summer, and the Carolina rig with a 6" floating nightcrawler has been extremely effective for me, allowing me to feel bites and recognize them for what they are so that I can set the hook right.  I'm not sure if those tiny crappie tubes have any buoyancy...or if they even make floating crappie tubes, but I guess that's what I'd need to find.
    #5
    Treble Hook
    New Angler
    • Total Posts : 32
    • Reward points: 0
    • Joined: 2006/12/26 16:35:46
    • Status: offline
    RE: Deep water rig for crappie 2008/07/02 21:42:25 (permalink)
    I like MikeIravy's idea if you have some electronics you can pin point a depth but not have the extra weight. They will probably be suspended in the deep lakes. 
    #6
    jon_e_si
    Pro Angler
    • Total Posts : 1103
    • Reward points: 0
    • Joined: 2006/05/04 07:47:42
    • Status: offline
    RE: Deep water rig for crappie 2008/07/03 04:50:32 (permalink)
    Bill Dance had a show several years ago that showed "PULLING" - which was arranging at least four rods in holders along your gunwales and utilizing an electric motor amidship on the opposing gunwale to pull your bait presentation through the suspended school. Might try that!
    #7
    chauncy
    Pro Angler
    • Total Posts : 1298
    • Reward points: 0
    • Joined: 2002/02/03 00:26:40
    • Status: offline
    RE: Deep water rig for crappie 2008/07/03 08:29:45 (permalink)
    Deep is a relative term when it comes to fishing. How deep is the lake you want to try this technique? Most inland lakes have a thermocline this time of year so that will make a big diffrence in the term deep. My home lake, shenango, has some 28ft water, but i've never caught fish that deep this time of year. 17ft seems to be as deep as i get em now. I use a small jighead with a bigger body, and a #5 splitshot 18" up the line. Light line, 4lb test, and a short sensitive rod of your size choice, and you should be good to go. Don't EVER rule out shallow water. I caught some nice ones yesterday in 4'.
    #8
    Jump to: