Havent fished in awhile, need lessons...

[TPD211]

I have'nt fished in like 15 years.<br />Have boat and closed face rod/reel.<br />What is the proper description of a closed face reel? Is this a baitcaster? Spinner or what?<br />I found my tackle boxes and it consist of bass lures, z-ray type lures, some double leader rigs, bobbers, worms, and assorted feathered spinning type lures.<br />I mostly fished for trout and catfish in AZ. <br />Here in Florida its crappie time I understand.<br />What is the preferred method for crappie fishing? Lures, bait with a bobber, bottom fishing with a leader line?<br />I appreciate the help.

 

[jsfinn]

Re: Havent fished in awhile, need lessons...

The best bait is what the fish are biting that day! <br /><br />I catch a lot of crappie on plastic grubs at the shore line near trees or shade just under the surface.<br /><br />If the water is cold, you might want to switch to worms and bobbers.<br /><br />Good luck!

 

[LubeDude]

Re: Havent fished in awhile, need lessons...

Fishing is just what it used to be, (A Jerk on one end waiting for a Jerk on the other end)!

 

[ebbtide176]

Re: Havent fished in awhile, need lessons...

TPD211, that is the correct def - a closed face reel ie: like most zebco reels (all i've seen)<br />-the baitcaster looks similar to a winch on a vehicle, the spinning reel has the spool inline with the rod. the closed face has the spool inline with rod, but it has the 'cap' on it...<br /><br />crappie - you're talking 1/2-4lb fish, fairly delicate mouths, so not like catfish. you probably want less than 10#line, i'd use 4 unless draggin them out of grass & lilypads.<br /><br />often caught with bobber/minnows on #2 wire hooks, or with 1/32-1/8oz jigs. i always liked to use 1/16oz jigs with jellytails. remember Mr Twister with 'swimming tail'? chartreuse is a common favorite. you should see if there are any fishing rpts in the local papers, to get tips on what they're using. good luck, and go catch some <br /><br />oh, on the depth. not sure about the temp/depths you're gonna be fishing, but they are not usually near top, or below 15ft in southern waters... when out in the open, they usually hang out in a school & move around alot. just as an example, if you're in a small lake with no trees in the water, i'd get in the channel and throw up to the side of the dropoff, especially where it runs from say 5ft to 12ft. - just a thought -

 

[jtexas]

Re: Havent fished in awhile, need lessons...

Around here, in the spring and again in the fall crappie move up into the feeder creeks, some as shallow as 2 feet if the water's muddy. But usually it's just as ebb says. In the winter they go deep - 25 feet is not uncommon.<br /><br />They always hold tight to structure - if it's standing timber you have to drop your line as close to the tree trunk as you can. A lot of folks sink christmas trees or some other kind of structure (illegal but they do it anyway) and usually get crappie there within a matter of weeks. A soft hook is prefered since you can expect to get hung up quite a bit - it will straighten when you pull it out of the tree limb.<br /><br />I'd rather fish with jigs and when they're biting I do, but in my experience minnows are the best crappie bait. Usually hooked thru the back, aft of the dorsal fin above the backbone. Add a couple split shot six or eight inches above the bait. Be aware though that when you pull your bait up to reposition, you're pulling water backwards thru the gills which will drown the minnow eventually. I have caught crappie on dead minnows but usually we change 'em out for a live one. Another way is to hook 'em thru the lips on a 1/16 or 1/32 oz. jig head with a plastic grub or tube jig. Red/white and chartruese are my best colors. Some folks use bobbers, but I prefer to tight-line it; guess I just like to feel the bump!<br /><br />Like ebb said their mouths are paper-thin, so go easy with the hook-set.<br /><br />These are without a doubt the best-tasting freshwater fish I've ever eaten. Good luck!

 

[TPD211]

Re: Havent fished in awhile, need lessons...

Thanks for the input guys, I bought some shiners today and dipped a line after work.<br /><br />Caught a fat catfish, bout 14", tossed him back in.<br /><br />Here in Central Florida looks like shiners are the way to go. Grass shrimp are also popular.<br /><br />I talked to a guy who was sponsered by "Crown Royal". He had a nice Bass Boat and Ford Excursion to pull it with. Tried to get samples from him... he said he cant even get any...<br /><br />Bass tournament started today, first major one of the season I understand. The town is full of trucks pulling bass boats.

 

[ebbtide176]

Re: Havent fished in awhile, need lessons...

i found this link for you to save. you are right in middle of some big lakes if using minnows, just adjst your float to diff depths until they hit. maybe trying 5' up to 2' deep. i guess those shiners are @ 2-4" long? anyway, the link:<br /> http://www.floridafisheries.com/forecast/ner.html#harris

 

[TPD211]

Re: Havent fished in awhile, need lessons...

Thanks Ebb,<br /><br />I'm on the other side of Lake Harris in Lake Dora. They connect thru the Dead River Canal and then the Dora Canal. <br /><br /> Dora Canal

 

[ebbtide176]

Re: Havent fished in awhile, need lessons...

that is an absolutely awesome shot. man i miss fishing that kind of scenery. last time i did, was when me & pop were on lake toho. there was a little creek that fed into it, that looked like that. i'd love to be in need of finding some 'specs' in a place like that

 

[jtexas]

Re: Havent fished in awhile, need lessons...

Great picture, TPD, I can practically smell the bass. reminds me of the lakes & bayous I fished growing up in Louisiana.<br /><br />jtw

 

[TPD211]

Re: Havent fished in awhile, need lessons...

Thanks for the compliments.<br />I took the picture with a digital camera while on a jet ski. The canal is a popular spot to cruise as it is very serene. Sea ottor play in there, they look like wet simease cats. <br />Large gators in there also.

 

[muskyone]

Re: Havent fished in awhile, need lessons...

jet ski and large gators sounds like your the bait

 

[ebbtide176]

Re: Havent fished in awhile, need lessons...

what is the avg depth of that canal? if its got some good depth to it, you should troll the jellytails thru it on the way to the big lakes.