Keith Lusher 03.13.25
There’s one thing distinctive in regards to the problem of crappie fishing that calls to the devoted angler. Whereas many species have predictable patterns, crappie require a particular contact and a complete lot of preparation. For many crappie veterans, it isn’t only a informal weekend of fishing – it’s a calculated battle plan that begins with preparation.
The Dedication Behind Each Catch
Crappie are notoriously finicky fish to catch constantly. Anybody can get fortunate and land a number of on a great day, however for many who critically goal white perch, success requires a deeper dedication.
“It takes devotion, dedication, self-discipline, dedication, and drive to constantly catch crappie on each journey,” mentioned John Guillot of Kiln, Mississippi. Guillot is a grasp of the craft whose strategies have confirmed profitable repeatedly. I’ve made quite a few journeys with Guillot and at all times come again amazed (and a bit spoiled) with how seamlessly our journeys unfold. I had an opportunity to sit down down with Guillot to get a greater understanding of the prep work that goes right into a profitable day on the water.
Once I requested John about his strategy, he defined that consistency is the true measure of ability. “There are tons of people that can catch crappie, however consistency is simply achieved by few,” he mentioned. “It’s this distinction between sometimes touchdown a fish and constantly filling the livewell that separates the informal fishermen from the devoted crappie hunters.”
Planning Your Assault
For Guillot, preparation begins lengthy earlier than the boat ever touches water. “I start with how I count on to catch crappie, from defining the expectations driving profitable ways, to the gear wanted for every method,” he defined. “I plan meticulously to stay metal to a fats crappie.”
I’ve discovered this strategy makes all of the distinction. Relatively than hoping for one of the best, profitable crappie fishing calls for a method that’s “custom-fitted” to the circumstances, the season, and the precise physique of water you’re fishing.
The Boat: Your Crappie Command Middle
Your boat serves as the muse for every part else. As Guillot places it, “I start with the most important fundamental piece of kit – the boat.” However having a mechanically sound boat is simply the place to begin.
What actually issues is the way you outfit that boat for the number of methods that you simply make use of. Guillot’s strategy is complete: “I put together for all of the methods I plan on fishing for crappie out of that boat whether or not or not it’s vertical single pole jigging, pitching a jig, casting a jig, dock taking pictures, dwell bait displays, tightlining, utilizing a float, or single pole freelining. Then I play out each situation as a way to be ready for no matter method I determine to make use of,” he mentioned.
The number of methods displays the adaptability wanted to constantly catch crappie below altering circumstances. “In the future they could be suspended at 12 toes and the following day they could be hugging tight to construction at 6 toes. Having the gear and information to pivot between methods can flip a gradual day right into a productive one,” Guillot mentioned.
Deal with Administration
Once I first noticed Guillot’s sort out preparation system, I used to be each impressed and overwhelmed. What initially appeared as chaos is definitely a meticulously organized strategy to having precisely what he wants, when he wants it.
“These are the chosen baits wanted for all of the other ways I manipulate a crappie into committing to the chew,” Guillot says. “It requires an in depth stock of jigs, attractants, consumables, rod and reel combos able to go, plastics, jigheads, an array of fishing strains on the reels—not bearing in mind meals, drinks, rain gear, security gear, and extra.”
As Guillot spoke, he appeared to exude satisfaction within the dialogue of what most poeple would shrug away from. “The group extends past simply having the precise baits,” mentioned Guillot. “You’ve acquired to retailer every part correctly to maintain it in prime situation. Good sort out group means extra fish within the boat when every part’s the place it ought to be and dealing prefer it ought to.”
Rod and Reel Preparation
Within the heat waters of Mississippi and Louisiana, crappie fishing isn’t only a seasonal pursuit—it’s a year-round obsession. This implies gear upkeep turns into essential to constant success.
“As soon as cleaned, I break every rod down for journey,” Guillot instructed me. “The specialty rods I exploit are saved in sleeves I’ve sewn from trimmings from boat tops and boat seats I made.”
His consideration to reel upkeep is equally spectacular. “The reels are cleaned, the spools eliminated so the drag washers may be cleaned of street mud and grime. If braid is on the spools, 15-20 toes of line is stripped off so recent line is prepared for a jig,” he defined. “Over time and use, the coating on the braid strains wears out, permitting them to swell and fray. Further spools of recent line are packed simply in case line is required within the area.”
Plastic Upkeep
One side of Guillot’s preparation that notably caught my consideration was his remedy of plastic baits.
“All of the sort out containers are pulled out, dry plastics are faraway from the trays and re-oiled with plasticizer oil and neatly restacked,” he mentioned. “All of the plastics are restocked to the highest of the trays.”
This rejuvenation course of retains his delicate plastics in prime situation, sustaining their flexibility and scent-holding capabilities. It’s the type of element most anglers overlook however could make a big distinction when these finicky crappie are being selective.
Attractants
Guillot fishes loads of muddy water. He calls the East Pearl River house and is aware of it just like the again of his hand. However at instances, fish scent is required to tip the sacles in his favor.
“I exploit attractants, so these are checked for replenishment,” he notes. “The injection syringes I make are assembled, Crappie.com’s Slab Sauce is changed if wanted, and a great stock of Crappie Nibbles are all packed into every boat.”
These scent additions could make all of the distinction when crappie are in a tentative temper, turning gentle bites into stable hooksets.
Consolation and Security
The seasoned crappie angler is aware of {that a} profitable day extends past simply catching fish—it means being ready for no matter circumstances you would possibly face.
“After my journey, I give attention to my equipment, consumables, and provides,” Guillot mentioned. “Rags, recent clear towels, vacuum-packed change of garments, new sunscreen, recent hats are all important.”
Security gear receives the identical meticulous consideration. “All of the inflation mechanisms on every life preserver is checked for rust, the velcro folds are well-creased again collectively, after which the spare life preservers are bagged in heavy-duty extra-large ziploc luggage,” he mentioned.
Transport
All this preparation could be wasted if the gear arrived on the fishing vacation spot broken or disorganized.
“All of the rods, sort out, provides, and consumables are packed within the fishing expedition car for the drive so after I get there, nothing is beat up from banging collectively within the boat whereas on the street,” John instructed me, highlighting the significance of defending gear throughout transport.
Dwell Bait Preparation
For these days when synthetic lures simply gained’t minimize it, having correctly maintained dwell bait gear is essential. “All of the dwell bait buckets I personal are washed with a bleach resolution then neutralized earlier than turning the other way up to dry,” Guillot says. “All of the batteries are changed in each bubbler I personal since I have no idea how a lot working time is on every from the earlier season.” Guillot even strains the deal with of his scoop internet with cork so the deal with floats if he loses it contained in the bait bucket. “The primary killer of shiners is sunscreen so I make certain my fingers by no means contact the water,” he mentioned.
The Payoff
What would possibly seem to be obsessive preparation to some, is just the worth of admission for constant crappie success. As I’ve discovered from Guillot’s strategies, his stage of dedication clearly separates the occasional fortunate catch from reliable outcomes journey after journey.
“This takes me weeks to perform with a excessive diploma of precision,” Guillot acknowledged. “Packing for fulfillment makes the distinction between going crappie fishing and constantly catching crappie.”
Take these classes critically and put within the work earlier than you ever again your boat down the ramp, and also you’ll be taught what Guillot found out from years on the water—with regards to catching crappie constantly, preparation makes all of the distinction.
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