Postby greenheadgrimreaper » Thu Feb 03, 2011 12:58 pm
1-rod tip
2-barrel swivel
3-hook
3-hook
4-snap swivel
5-egg weight
1--------2-----------3-----------3-----------4/5
18 inches between everything. I loop knot my hooks off the line to get them away from the main line. When I am running minnows I overhand knot the loop knot a couple times to keep the line rigid and the hook sticking out straight from the main line. I also use heavier line tied to the barrel swivel from the reel. This way when I get hung up the line breaks below the barrel and I can tie on a pre-made setup-saves alot of time. Everyone runs something a little different. I like the egg weight on the terminal end because I love to bottom bounce when nothing else works. The key is consistency. If one rod is catching fish while others aren't reel up and make sure you aren't off too much between hooks, weights, etc. I have been on the Tenn-Tom and had to change egg weights and started catching fish.
Just trial and error. I caught gobs of fish on a homemade trolling rig. Just make sure you use the same oz. egg weight on all lines. Pay attention, nothing annoys me more than being in the boat with people who don't pay attention to their lines. Your lines tell you everything- if you're hung up, on the bottom, slanted too much means you're moving to fast. After awhile you learn to watch the depth finder, rod tips, and operate the trolling motor while giving the right presentation. Once you get use to it, if you're paying attention, you'll know when one of those rods just "ain't actin' right". The difference between one fellow catchin fish and the other not, is PAYING ATTENTION.
I usually tie a snap swivel to the terminal end of my line in order to convienently change egg weights. I like to go as light as possible for sensitivity reasons. I can quickly change if the wind picks up or the fish are wanting it fast. Don't fall into the trap of thinking you need tons of 10-18 foot rods for trolling. I use regular 10 and 12 foot jigging rods. I like em close to the boat because I'm fishing closer to what my depth finder is reading. When you're trolling fish aren't usually too spooky, partly because they are usually deep or in muddy water. The exception is if the water is clear. If it's that clear pushing baits isn't an effective technique anyway, not usually. Also don't fall into the trap of thinking you need dozens and dozens of jig colors. Chartreuse, black/chart, pink/chart, black, white, yellow are the only jigs you need in MS. Hell half the time bare minnows as small as I can get them work better than anything. It's not rocket science and for the most part, crappie are very catchable fish. Stay home on the clear blue bird days after a front. I went a few days ago just wanting to fish when it was warm and sucked out. First time that's happened in awhile. I should have waited until the next day when it was cloudy and a front was coming in. Same concept with bass. Good luck.