Fred Dooly, Texas. “In Texas where I live you can go to 30 or 40 foot water, maybe 50 or 60 feet. I put a ½-ounce bell sinker on bottom. I use two hair jigs, one 12 inches above the sinker and the other 18 inches above the other jig. I put Crappie Nibbles on the jigs to attract more fish. Just drag the jigs along bottom. Lake of the Pines, Lake Fork and others are good lakes for this technique. You don’t have to be on cover, just out in open water.”
Josh Chipman, Tennessee. “My home lake is Reelfoot. In November a good tip would be to get close to the bank in 3 to 4 feet of water. Fish are slow and sluggish so they are a little difficult to catch. Try using a 1/16-ounce jig tipped with Power Bait, go slow and give them a chance to bite. We use wind socks and sometimes a chain so we can position the boat and slow down. This pattern should last up into February.”
Gilford Sipes, Alabama. “I like November because the fish are easier to catch. They are more aggressive and eating. They fatten up before winter when their metabolism slows down. They will be chasing schools of shad. Start in the mouths of creeks and along river channels. Watch for baitfish on your electronics. In the mornings the shad will be up shallow and then go down as the sun gets up. If you have Side Imaging, now is the time to use it.”
Dennis Bayles, Arkansas. “I love to slow troll when the water gets cold. I use a Capps-Coleman style rig with a 1/8-ounce jig on bottom and a 1/16-ounce jig on bottom. I use a 1/4-ounce sinker between the swivel and bottom jig, going to a 1/2- or 3/4-ounce jig when it gets windy. I use MidSouth jigs with a glitter/chartreuse or glitter/white on bottom and a yellow/chartreuse or black/chartreuse on top. In Arkansas where I fish the water isn’t as deep as in some other parts of the country. I’ll be fishing 12 to 14 feet along drop-offs. I’m a firm believer in my electronics this time of year.”