Crappie time

It is that great time of year here in the north when we get to hit the open water in search of pan fish after a long cold winter. My favorite pan fish of them all is the Black Crappie. I absolutly love catching shallow water crapoies either by casting mini sized plastic baits to cover using light line or fishing the baits below a slip float. One of my go-to baits in the past few years has been the good old Blakemore Roadrunner jig head paired with a plastic 2" swim bait. Depending on the water depth and wind speds I will try and fish the lightest jig weight possible. I usually start off using a 1/32 oz jig then go heavier if needed. Black crappies can be fairly aggressive at times so I tend to swim or stroll my offering throughout cover. If I find the crappies are in a negative mood this is where my slip float set-up comes into play. By using a slip float I can keep the bait in the fish's strike zone longer and hopefully coach them into striking. As for my rod and reel set ups for both techniques I have played with several over the years and have come up with the two best for what I need. As for my casting technique rod I am set on using the Shimano Zodias ZDS268L paired with a Shimano Stradic CI4+ 1000FAML. The Zodias is a light action 6'8" spinning rod that is a dream to cast with due to the Hi Power-X contruction technology in the blank. Very easy to make accurate casts to targets with small baits. The Stradic CI4FMAL is the micro line model that is designed with a lighter drag system to prevent break offs when using micr pound test line. I use 3lb. PowerPro with a 4lb fluorocarbon leader. I like the PP no stretch for a positive hook set with a quick flick of the wrist. As for my slip float set-up I use a rod from the G Loomis Trout Series model TSR791S-1 paired with a Stradic FK ST1000HGFK. I like the TSR791 because it is soft enough to cussion the light line on a sweeping hook set. The blank is a fast action vs an xtra fast meaning the rod is a bit more parabolic. I perfer to use a 6lb fluorocarbon line due to less slip on the slip float knot or soft rubber float stopper. These are the two outfits I use day in a day out when chasing crappies anytime during the open water season. Get out there and give spring crappie fishing a try. Good luck, Craig