M_S_2015_04_

40 Mississippi Sportsman^ | April 2015

M

ississippi’s typical stained or muddy waters make

trolling a less effective technique for catching crap-

pie, especially for long-liners in the spring.

Since long-lining requires crappie to visually see

the bait before moving in to strike, long-lining has not found

little use in the state, except in its rare clear lakes and impound-

ments. That includes Flint Creek Water Park.

In clear waters, many crappie anglers, including Kent Driscoll,

pro-staff angler for West Point-based B’n’M Poles, think that

long-line trolling is a great way to target crappie from a distance

without spooking the fish.

One of the greatest challenges of long-lining for crappie is

accurately presenting baits at specified depths in order to target

suspended fish. Depth presentation is based on a combination

of boat speed, line out and jig weight. Other factors that influ-

ence this depth include the diameter of line used, water currents,

and wind currents.

“Long-line trolling is efficient down to depths of about 12 to 15

feet, after which a vertical presentation of weighted baits is usu-

ally more effective,” Driscoll said. “Long-lining lets you see the fish

on the graph as you go over them, then you have 40 to 50 feet

before the baits get there that you can slow down or speed up

to fine tune the baits to the proper depth.”

An exact guide to long-line trolling depth is not possible to

fit every situation and every boat setup, but as a rule of thumb,

however, Driscoll suggests that a single jig trolled at .8 mph will

reach the following ranges:

Jig weight (ounces) Depth

1/32 ................4-6 feet

1/16 ................8-10 feet

1/8 ................12-15 feet

Driscoll stresses that each boat set-up will vary with minor

details that can affect depth of presentation. Mixing jig weights

is not usually a good idea as different weights will cause lines to

cross during trolling turns. Tying two jigs on one line adds weight

and creates a deeper track, which can help define the crappies’

depth preference. But it also complicates making turns.

“A large part of long-line trolling is playing the odds,” said

Driscoll. “You don’t want every jig at exactly the same depth.

Especially in a turn, the inside jigs will drop and the outside jigs

will rise. That’s another way to fine tune depth. Once you get that

part right, you can really lay the wood to them.” ■

Authorized

Dealers

For more stores, go to our dealer locator

at wileyx.com or call 800-776-7842.

Ayres Delta Implement Store

Belzoni, MS

Bass Pro Shops - Outdoor World

Pearl, MS

Boot Country

Hattiesburg, MS

BRV Auto

Tchula, MS

Deviney Rental & Supply

Madison, MS

Farris Brothers

Hattiesburg, MS

Gander Mountain

Hattiesburg, MS

Gary’s Pawn & Gun Shop

Columbus, MS

Stateline Turf

Olive Branch, MS

The Tractor Store

Richland, MS

6 feet 12 feet

20 feet

Flint Creek

Clear water means

long-lining crappie success