Since the advent of modern forward-facing, real-time sonar, it’s pretty difficult to tell the difference between a bass angler and a crappie angler. Both are perched on the front of their boat, head down over a big screen sonar unit and pitching something out in front of the boat.
If you’re not into modern technology, one of the best, and most fun ways to catch crappie is coming into season with the latest string of warm days. It’s called long-line trolling. You can pick a long liner by counting the somewhere between six and a dozen rods streaming line behind the boat as it trolls along at a snail’s pace.
The basics of long lining center on water temperature, water clarity, depth of presentation, and using the right equipment.
Crappie anglers begin long lining for crappie in the spring when water temperatures have reached their bottom peak and begin to climb as spring approaches. Generally speaking, the water temperature should be at least 50 degrees and rising. While crappie show a propensity to suspend in pre- and post-spawn, the higher in the water column the fish hold, the easier it is to target them by long lining.
Look for color change zones, areas where muddy water transitions into clear water. It is this “olive colored” water that will hold suspended crappie with enough visibility for them to feed.
The depth of presentation when long line trolling is a function of boat speed, amount of line out, jig weight and line diameter. Each of these factors play a part in how deep jigs will swim and whether you reach the level the crappie are suspended at. While every setup on every boat tends to be just a little different, trolling a 1/16-ounce jig head pulled on six-pound test line an average cast distance (40- 50 feet) behind the boat will achieve the following depths as a rule of thumb. The variable then becomes boat speed.
Boat Speed (mph) Depth 6 lb. Test .010 diameter
.4 15’ – 18’
.5 13’ – 15’
.6 11’ – 13’
.7 9’ – 11’
.8 7’ – 9’
.9 5’ – 7’
1.0 4’-5’
The caveat to this chart is that other lesser variables also affect boat speed, particularly wind drift and current. Consider using the chart as a “bore sighting” tool, then use your own time on the water to zero in on specific depths, bearing in mind it is much better to be slightly above than below the fish as crappie feed in an upward position.
Long line trolling works to its potential with a proper electronics system that will accurately record the depth the fish are holding at and measure boat speed, typically GPS, to 1/10 of a mph. To achieve this speed, a good variable speed trolling motor is needed. Six rods and up are used for long lining and require an adjustable and sturdy rod holder system to properly space and distribute the rods. Many anglers overlook the importance of the rod itself in long lining.
Long lining works best with a rod that loads properly as it sets the hook. A stiff rod will lose fish that are hooked and too limber will not establish a quality hook set.
Most seasoned long line anglers use staggered length rods on the sides of their long lining setup and identical length rods across the stern. In South Carolina, there is no rod limit per person as in some other states, so while around eight is the norm, some anglers legally choose to use more while others prefer less.
Finally, some anglers prefer to tie only one jig to each line while other swear by two jigs on each line. Running double rigs put more hooks and more bait choices in the water, but also adds a steep degree of difficulty to keep from tangling lines.
Regardless of the set-up you use, March, with it’s frequent warm days is calling.
Phillip Gentry, who lives in Waterloo, is a freelance outdoor writer who has been writing a wide variety of outdoor articles across the Southeast since 2004