November 20, 2011 | 
Author What is Spider-Rigging?
Front of spider-rigged boat
Spider-rigging is a method of fishing and is so named because a boat which is spider-rigged, with its fishing poles fanned out, resembles the legs of a spider .
I still remember to this day the first time I ever saw someone fishing on a lake and using a spider rigged boat. I was about 10 years old, and asked my Dad how can anyone fish with that many lines in the water? I just could not phantom how someone could fish like that.
In Reality, spider-rigging is not that hard to do. Spider-rigging can really help in locating fish, fishing depth, and preferred bait color. In fact the main drawback to spider rigging is the cost.
When spider-rigging an individual in the front of the boat will usually use 4 to 8 poles in the water at the same time. Sometimes when fish are aggressively feeding that can seem to many poles, but 4 to 8 is about usual.
So just to get started you will need 4 to 8 Crappie fishing poles then enough rod holders to hold how ever many rods you use, and depending on how fancy you want to be that can be a nice chunk of change. If you are going to be a serious Crappie fisherman these expenses are worthwhile, because the benefits of spider-rigging are worth the expense you put out. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in Crappie Fishing, Fishing | 
Tags: Crappie, Crappie fishing, fishing, Sac-a-lait Fishing, spider-rigging | 
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Crappie Fishing Without a Boat
I am going to try to highlight some simple Crappie fishing hints that will help you to bag more Crappie. In this post I will focus on fishermen that do not have a boat as I have been in the same predicament, not having a boat to help me access the “hot” spots.
Crappie Fishing Pier
Most areas around the United States have accessible Crappie fishing water for those without a boat. On many rivers, lakes and reservoirs there are docks that yield fantabulous Crappie fishing opportunities. If you don’t already know of such a dock, stop by your local tackle shop and they should be able to point you in the proper direction. Once you find a local fishing dock following these tips, should help you bag a meal of Crappie.
my bait bucket
It is a fact one of Crappie’s favorite taunts is live shiners. Along with shiners. I suggest you should also carry some small jigs in a variety of colors, but most often a lively minnow is the best tempter of Crappie. Therefore, you’re going to need something to keep your minnows alive. I often use a 6 pack ice chest because it is more stable, has good insulation, and is easier to carry than most store-bought Shiner buckets. Once you have gotten your live shiners, you’re about ready to go find a good fishing dock. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in Crappie Fishing, Fishing | Tags: Crappie, Crappie fishing, fishing, Sac-a-lait, Sac-a-lait Fishing | No Comments »
Speaking of Crappie Secrets
To experienced Crappie fishermen these next 12 tips aren’t really a secret, but if you are inexperienced or rather new to Crappie fishing you might consider them secrets.
- Crappie feed on small bait fish like shad and minnows. The shad and minnows will move with the currents created by the wind. Suggestion: Attempt to find the Crappie on the wind-blown side of the lake first.
Crappie suspended
- Shady sandy bottoms, maybe surrounded by grass or brush piles or other structure are a favored area for Sac-a-lait…. especially during spawn, but can often be found around that type area in early fall also. Check around the entrance to inlets and coves working your way toward the back areas.
- It is extremely difficult to cast a fixed bobber rig, seems most people don’t seem to understand about slip bobbers, so pay attention to low hanging branches with line and bobber hung up in them as an indicator for where other people have found Sac-a-lait.
- If it is early Spring and water temperature is around 62-65 degrees, Crappie will be on their spawning grounds, and can be in such numbers that many fishermen with an acute sense of smell will be able to detect an odor above the surface.
- Crappie are a schooling fish. Usually when you find one you have found a school. That is IMPORTANT enough to repeat. Usually when you find one you have found a school. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in Crappie Fishing, Fishing | Tags: Crappie, Crappie fishing, fishing, Sac-a-lait, Sac-a-lait Fishing | No Comments »
My Crappie Fishing Secret
The other day I was reading an article on OutdoorLife.com which caused me to pause in reflection. The article was about a secret passed to a young angler from his Uncle. Seems upon catching the first Crappie of the day, the Uncle would take out a spoon and scale the Crappie over a coffee can then add enough water to the can to keep the scales nice and wet. Every now and again the Uncle would reach into the coffee can gather a pinch of scales and toss them into the brush or tree top they were fishing. The young angler claims the Crappie become excited by the fluttering scales sinking through the water column. Personally, I am not able to tell you that this “secret” works or not, but it did cause me to think.
Do you have friends who constantly catch more Crappie than you do? Ever wonder if they are keeping Crappie catching secrets? Are you hanging tightly on to some Crappie fishing secret?
I have a little secret that I have used often to out fish someone in the same boat with me, and they have never caught on to what I am doing, that consistently allows me to catch more and usually bigger Crappie. It is a simple little trick when using live Shiner that anyone can do, and I will guarantee you that you will catch you more Crappie. Read the rest of this entry »
Crappie Fall Fishing
Fall Crappie fishing can be a difficult time for anglers to chase the elusive Crappie, but anyone that knows what to expect Crappie to do under different conditions definitely has an advantage.
Much of this article I wrote for Sac-a-lait.info then I placed it here later.
Many fishermen will only fish for Crappie, or as we call them down here in Louisiana, Sac-a-lait ( french translation = sack of milk) during the spring spawn when the Crappies have migrated into the shallows to lay their eggs. It’s no secret that the spring spawn is undeniably the fastest and most popular time to catch those paper mouth perch, and Spring is the time the highest amount of pressure is put on catching Crappie. Then again,many other anglers only fish for Crappie during the coldest times of Winter (remember, I am located in Louisiana) when Crappie are huddled up in the depths along sunken creek banks, or on some kind of structure, both natural and man-made, usually in the deepest parts of the water body, again making them rather easy to limit out…. once you find them. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in Crappie Fishing, Fishing | Tags: Crappie, Crappie fishing, fall fishing, fall turnover, fishing | No Comments »