Crankin’ crappie

When it comes to targeting crappie, several key ingredients make crankbait trolling work. One popular setup is to pull crankbaits on rods that stagger along each side of the boat. Graduate the rods in length, starting with an 8-foot rod nearest the transom, then move forward to a 10-footer, a 12-footer, and finally a 14-foot rod nearest the front.

Another key ingredient is a rod-holder system. Driftmaster’s 4-foot T-5100 trolling bar is a good choice.

Using line-counter reels will allow the crankbaiter to precisely measure the distance each lure is trolled behind the boat. In this scenario, the 8-foot rod has the longest line, anywhere from 100 to 125 feet. The distance out decreases as the rod length increases; this way the crankbaits stay separated.

One variable is to rig the front rod, the 14-footer, as a down rod with a 2-ounce egg sinker that is attached 3 feet in front of the crank. The weight allows the long rod to run more perpendicular, and targets fish at whatever depth they’re marked on the depthfinder.

Line choice starts at 12-pound hi-vis line for murky water where stumps or timber may be encountered down to 6-pound-test clear line for clear water with no obstructions. The high visibility and higher-than-average test line helps keep the cranks running straight and allows the angler to retrieve a bait if it gets snagged.

The depth of presentation of the crankbaits is a coordination of variables including the amount of line out, working depth of the crankbait and boat speed. Boat speed ranges on average between 1.0 mph and 2.5 mph.

Such precise graduations in speed require the use of a GPS-enabled electronics system that will measure speed to the 10th of a mph. Higher poundage electric trolling motors or small kicker outboards will work to propel the boat at these speeds. Some anglers have success reducing the speed of bigger outboards through the use of trolling plates, wind socks or dragging 5-gallon buckets.

This article is part of the Take your pick feature in the June issue of Mississippi Sportsman, which is now on newsstands. Digital editions also can be downloaded right to your computer or smartphone.

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