what's up with the crank baits?

[GlassEyeangler]

I was out the entire weekend fishing for crappies and sunny's. Both days I noticed some people casting into shore with crank baits. I wonder if these people are fishing for crappies too??!? I have to say it was really temping to join the crowd, but held off because the season isn't open. I also noticed one boat drifting with jig heads and what appeared to be a nightcrawler. One guy brought his two kids with him, and they were fishing with bobbers while his dad was casting to shore - nice way to teach his kids to follow the rules. I guess I want to say that the season is in play for a reason. Weather any of us believe in it or not, we all have to follow the rules. I know it's the most frustrating part of the year for all of us, but come on - wait until May.

[bronzeback01]

Where were you fishing?

[walterking]

I happen to use small cranks quite often for slabs as do many other people it is a very effective approach this time of year when the are active i wouldnt assume because someone is using a diffrent approach that they are breaking the law!

[croixeyes]

The only way yer gonna keep someone from catching something that is out of season is to close fishing all together til opener,but that means closing it til bass and musky open up to.have you ever caught a bass on walleye opener?It happens,but it doesnt mean they have them in the live well.People fish pannies and other fish with the same methods they use to catch eyes,you never know whats gonna hit.........

[slipperybob]

I've used small cranks for slabs. Even used small poppers and prop baits for them. Only a slab will inhale a small popper or prop bait and take it down like a bass.

Goofy thing is sometimes, I bottom jig for walleyes, I catch crappies. I slip bobber jig for crappies, I catch walleyes.

[GlassEyeangler]

a 4 to 5 inch Rapala???

drifting with nightcrawlers???

no assumptions here - hey, maybe it's a good way to catch crappies...LOL

i've been fishing long enough to know the difference - it was just an observation. to the person who wanted to know where i was fishing...it was on a lake, not a river.

my buddy who i was fishing with caught a rather large northern with a hook and crappie minnow - it swallowed the whole thing, bent the pole in half, and snapped the line half way to the boat. we saw the fish right before getting away. it looked to be about 8 to 10lbs...but because, he didn't have a steel leader on (...as he wasn't intentially fishing for pike...) it got away. like they say, if you have a line in the water long enough - anything can happen. the cool thing is it happened in front of the guy tossing crank baits into the shore - aferwards he got upset and took off rather fast in his new boat - classic!

[eyepatrol]

Casting a 4" - 5" rapala would be a bit out of the ordinary in my opinion (you didn't mention that previously).

Personally, I would have asked the person what they were fishing for using a rapala of that size. If they would have said walleye/pike/bass, I would have kindly reminded them of the laws. My tendency is to give people a chance to correct themselves, but if they don't, I'm calling the TIP line.

[slipperybob]

Quote:

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a 4 to 5 inch Rapala???

drifting with nightcrawlers???

no assumptions here - hey, maybe it's a good way to catch crappies...LOL

i've been fishing long enough to know the difference - it was just an observation. to the person who wanted to know where i was fishing...it was on a lake, not a river.

my buddy who i was fishing with caught a rather large northern with a hook and crappie minnow - it swallowed the whole thing, bent the pole in half, and snapped the line half way to the boat. we saw the fish right before getting away. it looked to be about 8 to 10lbs...but because, he didn't have a steel leader on (...as he wasn't intentially fishing for pike...) it got away. like they say, if you have a line in the water long enough - anything can happen. the cool thing is it happened in front of the guy tossing crank baits into the shore - aferwards he got upset and took off rather fast in his new boat - classic!

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Whoah! a guy taking off after someone catches a fish! It's usually the opposite when I fish. I catch something, anything and next thing I know somebody is invading my "comfort" zone. It's like this, of all the available places to fish, do I really need a fishing buddy overcasting the spot where I casts my slipbobber?

LOL's

If a guy can catch a crappie on a 4-5 inch rapala I'll like to take that challenge and look for a trophy slab of that probability too. LOL's

A size 5 Rapala = 2.5 inches.

So size 9-11 Rapala?

But if the person is throwing a tandem spinner about 3/4 oz size = LOL's let me know when you catch a monster slab! My mister twister beetle spin still works.

[Slyster]

I watched a bass pro fishing show with "MR. Crappie" going to a tourney and he had "Mr. Crappie Crankbaits" from Bass Pro Shops. His own design. I want to try them. They are brightly colored and perhaps quite small.

[polarsusd81]

I have caught some monster slabs in the south on bigger raps, a #9 Husky in chrome/black is my favorite, but wouldn't dare try to fish them up here this time of year. I would assume the people were probably using a questionable tactic for crappies out there, but like the other guy said... ask what they are fishing for with the bigger baits and give them a chance to correct themselves after reminding them of the season laws. If they don't correct, give TIP a ring and tell them the license number on the boat.

Tom

[slipperybob]

Rapala #9 is probably the biggest size a slab would take. I confirm that with a floater silver plated and a jointed model black/silver. Not my first go to lure...

[youngie22]

I know I have caught my 2 biggest crappies trolling rapalas... I think that was August though.

[TNFL]

I've caught some nice sunnies on Centerville drift-trolling a lindy rig with a leech.

[ocf1]

my brother caught a SLAB trolling a 6inch swim bait, You never know.....

[Hammer Handle]

Yes, you can catch slabs on these plugs. But, that is the exception rather than the rule. You can also catch northerns on wax worms when season is closed.

But really, they SAY they are fishing slabs but they are REALLY fishing for other game fish. That is the excuse given.

This weekend I sat and watched a boat fish for "slabs" with their plugs. They caught fish after fish and were having a ball...yet not ONE that was the "right" fish. When I finally called them on it "Oh, we are just fishing for big slabs".

Right....

It is not right. Illegal? No. Ethical? No.

[chris63]

Thats all "they" have to state is "Im fishing for slabs/panfish" and The Warden really can't do a thing about it.I'm not convinced that the folks aren't fishing for Wallys/Norts either but what cha gonna do?Go fish! c63

[slipperybob]

Where's that Liar thread?

LOL's

[Hammer Handle]

This has to hurt the fish as they are spawning. Is there any reports on what a hooked fish will do when spawning? I see sunfish go right back to the same spawning bed, but not all the time.

They have fish slot limits. They should also have lure size limits early in the year. If the number of "slab fisherman" keep growing, I could see this coming.

I emailed the DNR and they said they were "thinking about something like this". They also told me they will fine a boat even if they say they are fishing for sunfish...when they feel it is not true that they actually are.

[katoguy]

It is a judgment call on part of the DNR official. If they see a fisherman catching numbers of out-of-season gamefish without moving on down the lake or changing tactics to not catch the gamefish, then they have a complaint that will hold up if challenged.

[MikeYager - Suzuki]

Personally if I catch more than one out of season fish I move or change tactics entirely. Usually move. If you continuously catch out of season fish then you are considered targeting that species which is unlawful. That's my interpretation.

[GlassEyeangler]

I'm really responding to everyone here...wow, lots of responses and different views on the subject. I really love this HSOforum, especially for issues like these.

The weekend is right around the corner, and I'm confident that most of you will be fshing...I will be taking the day off on Friday to get a head start.

I completely forgot about the DNR Tip Line...hmm!

Happy Fishing Everyone!

[slipperybob]

Aye! You can also look at the entire equipment outfit...fishing for panfish with med heavy baitcasting reel,17 lbs test mono, and a landing net big enough for a musky!? You'd say, "you're fishing for panfish?"

Where's your light spinner rod and reel outfit with bobber and jig?

Conservation officers aren't that gullable, they're undercover.

Wait a minute! They're the silly one's fishing and looking around...bobber's gone! LOL's

[CrappieAttitude]

Quote:

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I completely forgot about the DNR Tip Line...hmm!

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And it is for instances like this why I have the TIP number programmed in my cell. 1-800-652-9093

CA

[Hammer Handle]

That is why I like this forum also...great advice and talk!

the DNR also told me about the TIP# when I told them my concern about the people fishing for "sunfish" with plugs and spoons and catching northerns.

These guys laughed at me when I complained. I hope I see them again. My cell phone will be with me....