Cheatham Crappie

[blr3a]

Tried some back waters on Cheatham yesterday about for about three hours. Caught 18, but only 2 keepers. Caught them in lay downs, couldn't find them on the stick ups. Went through 3 dozen minnows to catch 18 fish due to size of the crappie. Where are the 10+ inchers? Trying Old Hickory today with the wife. What do yall think about these home made crappie rigs that have 3 jigs on one rig? Jigs vs Minnows? I am wanting to catch a crappie this year, I have never seriously tryed but no I am, and I am getting discouraged at how well some people are doing and how poor I am doing. Any help appreciated.

[Travis C.]

Light line, crappie magnets and trout magnets.

http://lelandslures.com/

I see your in White House. You can get them at Academy and K-Mart or order online.

Percy seems to be doing well. Barkley was on fire for crappie last week, KY seems to be rockin too for them so I would imagine Cheatham and Old Hickory will be next for the bigger ones. The bigger ones are showing up in my smaller shallower lakes right now too. It won't be long for every where. Dogwoods bloomin?

If you are going to be on Old Hickory or anywhere for that matter don't over look one key area. There are tons on boat houses/docks. A whole bunch of them have things sunk off the ends or sides. When I crappie fish and see a chair, rod holder or lights on the end of a boat house/dock then I am fishing it.

[blr3a]

Thanks for the help Travis! If you don't mind, I would like to pick your brain! When you fish the crappie magnet... do you typically cast and retrieve, use a long pole and move it vertical... or horizontal, or do you slip float a certain depth and cast and retrieve... or cast and let it sit.... or cast and agitate it? Long question... I apologize! Also, I almost hate to ask... but what colors should I focus on? I'm not asking for your secret special lure... but for example I wouldn't let anyone fish Old Hickory or Cheatham for bass with a pink worm and if I had to pick a color I would say pumpkin or watermelon. Just looking for help.

Lastly: I really want to start fishing for crappie and other fish now that I have backed down from Tournament fishing. ANYONE who would like to tag along with me and can provide me some knowledge I would be MORE THAN HAPPY to take fishing. I can meet you anywhere. I am free Tuesday and Thursday afternoons after 3pm and Saturday mornings. FREE FISHING TRIP, I WILL PAY FOR GAS. I just want to get on these fish! Prefer Old Hickory, however Cheatham isn't bad because I work in Ashland City and can bring my boat to work.

[Travis C.]

I use the floats that come with them or are made to use with them. You can either attach to your line or make it a slip float.

A person can fish them any way they want or how ever needed to fit the mood of the fish. Typically I have seen three basic ways: under a float, without a float twitching on the slow retreive, letting it sink to the bottom then twitching it as you slowly reel vertical over structure.

Mostly I use them under a float at what ever depth needed. If it doesn't go under immediately after hitting the water then I reel it back very slow with a twitch stopping a time or two before getting all the way in.

As far as color with trout/crappie magnets it doesn't matter as much as other lures. Don't get me wrong some days it does but some days you'll go from one color to the next before finding the right one. Also once a color stops producing don't move spots instead change color and they will pick up again. The key to the bait is it's balance. Most every other jig combo comes up when jerked or cast then falls head first. The magnets won't. They fall horizontal every time. It looks more natural and I believe is more the trigger than color. If you still want a particular color...currently I have been catching a bunch of fish on black/chart.

[blr3a]

Great info! Thank you very much! What about attractants like scent sprays? Since it looks like the crappie magnets come in sealed packages I figure they are probably already scented or embedded.... right?

[Travis C.]

I don't think they are scented at all.

It's hard to explain to someone who hasn't used the Trout/Crappie Magnets just how effective they are. In my opinion they are better than using live bait when used properly.

Just look up all Alpahawks threads... those are all crappie/trout magnet fish and he's a prostaffer for them.

[jad2t]

Originally Posted by Travis C.

I don't think they are scented at all.

It's hard to explain to someone who hasn't used the Trout/Crappie Magnets just how effective they are. In my opinion they are better than using live bait when used properly.

Just look up all Alpahawks threads... those are all crappie/trout magnet fish and he's a prostaffer for them.

My Trout Magnets are coming in the mail tonight! If the storms let up, I plan to work some access areas to Stewart Creek that runs all through Smyrna. I know the white bass have to be up in there somewhere... gotta find them

Can't wait to try these things out!

[agelesssone]

blr3a, check your private messages, I sent you one.

[blr3a]

Thanks for all the replies and PM's! Everyone's help is appreciated!