How to Set Up a Rod & Reel for Crappie Fishing

fishing pole image by Tammy Mobley from <a href='http://www.fotolia.com'>Fotolia.com</a>

Think light weight when rigging up a fishing pole and reel for crappie. Crappie are small panfish found in much of the United States, particularly in the Southeastern and Midwestern states. A crappie set-up requires a lightweight rod and spinning reel so you can work the fish without having too much weight in the equipment. With a few minutes in your workshop or at the lake, you can rig up your crappie rod and go land those fish.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Step 1

Open the bail cast mechanism on the spinning reel. Wrap the monofilament line around the spool twice and tie it around the spool using an Arbor knot. Begin turning the reel's handle clockwise, slowly bringing the line onto the spool. Continue this until you have brought in approximately 100 yards of line onto the spool. Close the bail mechanism.

Step 2

Pull out 2 or 3 feet of line from the reel and begin to thread it through the metal fishing guides found along the fishing rod. Thread the line through each guide until the line is at the last guide. Pull 3 feet of line out past the last guide.

Step 3

Pick up the panfish jig and look for the jig collar, a small rubber band surrounding the jig skirt material. Lift the skirt and push the 6/O hook through it so the barbed hook is facing down and to the back end of the jig.

Step 4

Tie the panfish jig with the hook to the end of the monofilament line using a Palomar knot.

Step 5

Place one or two split-shot sinkers onto the line 3 feet above the jig on the monofilament line. Adjust the distance between the jig and sinkers as needed for the water you fish, based on how the jig bounces against the bottom of the lake. Try and keep the jig set at least 4 to 5 feet above the bottom for crappie.

Article Written By Eric Cedric

A former Alaskan of 20 years, Eric Cedric now resides in California. He's published in "Outside" and "Backpacker" and has written a book on life in small-town Alaska, "North by Southeast." Cedric was a professional mountain guide and backcountry expedition leader for 18 years. He worked in Russia, Iceland, Greece, Turkey and Belize. Cedric attended Syracuse University and is a private pilot.

Editor's Pick

Backcountry Camping Tips

You've already tried car and RV camping. You've camped at commercial campsites that had a convenient restroom and water supply. Now, you want to explore the road less traveled. Backcountry camping, also known as primitive camping, is a wonderful way to explore the remote...
More Backcountry Camping...
Popular Article

Beach Camping Near Pismo Beach, California

Pismo State Beach, California, has many attractions and activities including camping, swimming, hiking and wildlife viewing. Birdwatching is one of the primary activities in the area. The park also has the largest over-wintering colony of monarch butterflies in the natio...
More Beach Camping...
Featured Video

Common Sense Hiking Tips

The first and most fundamental thing is never hike alone. There are too many situations, especially as an unexperienced hiker, where you may find yourself without anyone to help you. So the buddy system works and applies very much in hiking.
More Camping Basics...