Ron Wong, TN (co-host Outdoors with Larry Rae, lroutdoors.com.)
“Tie jigs on with a loop knot. The jig falls more naturally and you have a little more action. In cold weather drop down to a 1/32-ounce jig if you can get it down to the depth you need.”
Christmas? “A Lowrance HDS-12.”
Jeff Samsel (freelance outdoor writer, CrappieNow writer)
“One of the things people can overlook is that crappie aren’t always deep in the winter, especially when the sun shines for a few days. The stained water areas that are very shallow can be great for catching crappie.”
For Christmas? “An ice hut. I like ice fishing way too much to live in Georgia.”
Craig Carpenter, OK (crappie.com)
“Winter is my favorite time because crappie are schooled together on the ledges. I watch the graph for dots right on bottom. On my lake that will be 18 to 20 feet on steep ledges. Throw a marker and start fishing. I like anything with orange/chartreuse or salt/pepper. Bobby Garland Slab Slayers always work good for me.”
Gary Dollahon, OK (Dollahon PR)
“When I’m winter fishing I’m always looking for a vertical drop. I like 19-22 feet here on my home lake. Off of a point or creek channel is usually good. You don’t have to have brush but it really helps.”
Christmas? “I never have enough small plastic tackleboxes. I always appreciate them as gifts because I’m mobile and often fishing in other peoples’ boats. Different sizes are good because I want the smallest possible that will still hold the tackle I need for a specific fishing trip. I put them in a tote bag along with gloves and sock hat.”
Charlie Rogers, MO (pro staff Bobby Garland, Missouri Soybean/Biodiesel)
In the winter you need to find the balls of shad. Find shad and you’ll find the crappie. Use your electronics. A basic unit will work or use side imaging if you have it. The crappie will usually be on the channel ledges suspended up in the water.
Christmas? “I’ve got every fishing toy I need, so I would choose to go fishing with my kids Christmas afternoon.”
