Page 6 - Crappie NOW - July 2017
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SHALLOW-WATER CRAPPIES UP NORTH
the schools of baitfish continue to grow in
size. In the spring I would likely be sling- Selection of small spinnerbaits, including
ing a 1/16-ounce leadhead with a 1.5” to three hand-crafted ones plus a 3/16-ounce
2” body. But come summer it’s time for an Booyah Willow Spin.
upgrade to 1/8 or 3/16-ounce head with a
2” to 3” body – or bigger! water. I go with either a curly tail or shad
Years of shallow-water largemouth tail body. Among the ones I use most of-
fishing have clearly demonstrated to me ten are the Kalin 3” Lunker Grub, Charlie
that a decent-size crappie has no problem Brewer Slider 2-1/8” Minnow, Gene Larew
inhaling a 1/4-oz. leadhead with a four- 3” Long John Minnow (pinching off about
inch grub or even a small willow leaf spin- 1/2”), Bobby Garland 2” Swimmin’ Min-
nerbait, so I always have some of these now, plus 2.5” generic shad-shaped body.
larger baits. These are mated to 1/8 or 3/16-ounce
Granted, smaller bodies will likely heads.
catch more crappies, but larger bodies When casting over and around thick
will catch bigger crappies. Pick up the weedbeds in clear water, I often rig a
most aggressive fish on the initial pass; slender Bobby Garland 2” Swimmin’ Min-
then go back through with smaller baits if now weedless on a Slider Spider Head.
you wish. The cone shaped head and offset hook
During the summer, I believe in pre- shank allows the long slender Minnow to
senting a plastic body/leadhead that has be rigged Tex-posed making it very fish-
a lively action when swimming through the able around vegetation.
6 Crappie NOW July 2017
