Rabbit Rogers has always been and remains a jig fisherman, even during the summer months.
“I’m like an old bass fisherman, only with a jig pole,” he said.
Here’s a look at his equipment and tactics:
• Tackle — Rogers always uses an 11-foot B&M Buck’s Classic jig pole, “which I like because it has the reel seat at the end of the handle.”
He uses a modified version of the round, plastic B&M jig reel originally made by Boatside in Jackson. His line is a high-visability 10-pound monofilament like Gold Stren.
• Jig — Rogers makes his own jigs, and prefers a 1/16-ounce version. “If I have to, I will go to a 3/32(-ounce) jig on a windy day, but I try to stay away from the 1/8-ounce.”
The colors vary.
• Strategy — “I’m looking for horizontal cover — anything a crappie can use for shade. Barnett Reservoir is blessed with thousands of standing trees, but only a small percentage will consistently hold fish, and those are the ones that still have limbs. That’s why I prefer to fish brush piles because they all have horizontal cover.”
Even though most fish will be in the thermocline layer, if his only option for shade is shallower, he will take it. A high-viz line is important because if a tree has a limb at 8 feet, and the fish hits the jig on the fall, you have to see the line start to curl up to know you’ve had a bite.
“Also, Barnett fish are known to bite what I call ‘politely,’ which means it’s so light you don’t always feel it,” Rogers said. “You have to be aware of line movement at all times.”
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