Page 5 - Crappie NOW - October 2018

FALL LEDGES
Dannenmueller says multiple poles
in the water is important this time of year.
It’s not unusual to find a good brushpile on
a ledge, spider rig baits into it and leave
them there. Sometimes they prefer the
baits still or backing away from the brush. It
can trigger strikes when they think the bait
is leaving.
Stumps can be good, too. The crappie
will often hang on the top of stumps waiting
for baitfish to swim by. Several methods
will work, but again, spider rigging is hard
to beat.
Straight spider rigging is a top pick in
the fall. Fish may be at more than one depth
and they can be scattered if not holding to
cover. Any speed, or total stop, can be used
as needed.
Dannenmueller says, “I like a straight
minnow on top and plastic tipped with
a minnow on bottom. I use a sinker in
between, usually 1/2-ounce. I use a snap
swivel on the main line for quick change of
pre-tied rigs. I like the medium size plastics
5 Crappie NOW October 2018
Electronics is a key element to successful
fall fishing. A simple unit will work but an
advanced one like this speeds up the
process.
but in the fall the tiny Itty Bit has worked
well, probably because it mimics the size
of the baitfish. Another trick is to use scent
with a minnow. Stubby Steve’s is a natural
scent and it helps hold the minnow on a
hook so it won’t get knocked off as easily.
But any good scent causes a fish to hold
on longer to any bait to give more time to
recognize a bite and set the hook.
“It’s not unusual to find fish in 10 to
14 feet of water. This depth makes it easier
to fish without spooking them. Also, the
middle depths are easier to fish than deep
water.”
Last tip, don’t stay too long in an area
if you’re not catching fish. Fall crappie are
often on the move and so should you. Once
found, it’s time to work the area, watching