Summer isn’t the only time for excellent results pulling, or pushing, crankbaits. Crappie are active feeders and will roam around chasing bait in the fall. Look for crappie to attack a crankbait when trolled in a big flat or near a channel where schools of baitfish are holding.
Trollers vary their techniques and methods. For example, some fishermen prefer to push baits off the front of the boat with longpoles, others use staggered pole lengths off the side of the boat, while other pull planer boards. One constant is speed. If fish are hitting at 1.8 mph that’s the speed everyone should be going. Crankbait brands vary but all poles should have the same bait on for consistency and setting depths with line length. –TH
