How does a crappie pole work?

[Far-I]

I am going to order a couple cheap crappie poles (10ft & 12ft) and was wondering just how they work. The reason i will use them is to pull up to some weeds in the shallows at spawn and without spooking the fish, hopefully drop right on top of them. I just don't get the line clips and how the line is tied on. With no reel do I just kind of fling the fish into the boat? Do these work well for Minnesota crappie fishing? Thanks

[BobT]

I've never tried it myself but from what you've already described it sounds like you have the idea. The longer the pole the better as it gives you more reach. I've heard it can be an interersting and fun way to catch crappies in weedbeds.

Bob

[SkunkedAgain]

I still use my great-grandfather's old bamboo poles, a 17 footer and a 12 footer. On these old beasts, the line is just wrapped around the pole. When I get a bite, I just lift them out of the water and into the boat. It can be a little tricky with all of that pole, but you'll get the hang of it.

[goose89]

The line clips are just for wrapping the line on when your not fishing. Line ties on to small loop at tip of pole. Yup, you sorta fling em in the boat. It's a blast and really works well in the emergent reeds when horizontal casting can be challenging. It works well in the right situation. Good luck.

[Sandmannd]

I was looking at getting one. They sound like they would be really fn to fish with.

[harvey lee]

Fishing panfish on a long canepole is a rush. When I was knee high to a grasshopper, thats all we used. I will still take the canepole out for panfishing a few times in the spring and early summer.

I just lift the pole up and bring them to the boat.

Some of the old ways are still very good and alot of fun.

[Far-I]

It sounds fun. I got two b/c i see my six year old having a real blast fishing this way too!

[grab the net]

I bought a couple a few years ago, a 12 and 14'model. I found the best application for them is in the pencil reeds fishing in vey tight pockets that are almost impossible to cast to. I tie my line, usually 8lb flouro, not a lot of need for finesse, right to the rod tip. Line length is normally about 2/3's of pole length, you want to take into consideration the bend in the pole when loaded with a fish. To much line and you will have a hard time geting fish to the boat. Then you just swing your bait choice out and into the pocket or hole. I like to use a small float with a small jig head and live bait. Nothing like it when you hook a bull gill and have the spiral thing going on, then when the pole action brings them to the surface it almost flips them right to the boat. You have to be a little careful with crappies due to their paper thin mouths, can't flip them to the boat, if you try it will be a little disappointing with lost fish. Lots of fun in certain applications. Very efficient in the one I just described.

[Raider4ever]

Canepoles are the best. They also make great depth finders and checkers of bottom composition. We used to fish Big Birch Lake by Grey Eagle with 20 foot one piece jobs. My Dad's uncle had a home there. He had a spot that came up from 25 fow to 18.5 (line up the water tower with the correct dip in the tree line and put the silo between the trees. It's over by the big Island for those who know the lake). He would line up the spot using the landmarks, slow the boat and ram the canepole down, if there was a foot and a half of pole showing, drop anchor and start fishing. You could also tell if you were on gravel, sand, or muck too. Bluegills were 1.5 feet off the bottom, Crappies were 3 feet off the bottom. Caught my only legitimate 2lb 'gill on that spot back in the mid-70's. That lake was a tremendous panfish fishery back in the 60's and 70's

Occasional 'eye or SMB to keep things interesting. Let me tell you, a 2lb SMB on a canepole is an absolute trip. Best thing was, with the bobber, you were always at the right depth. No dropping your line down to the bottom and reeling up 2-5 revolutions. It was catch a fish, unhook it, put it in the basket, and BOOM swing 'er out and you were fishing. Four people in a 17 foot boat and no one getting hooked. Man, this thread brought up the best memories I have. Thanks.