Keith Lusher 03.13.25
There’s one thing distinctive concerning 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 couple of on a superb day, however for many who critically goal white perch, success requires a deeper dedication.
“It takes devotion, dedication, self-discipline, willpower, and drive to constantly catch crappie on each journey,” stated 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.
After I requested John about his method, he defined that consistency is the true measure of talent. “There are tons of people that can catch crappie, however consistency is just achieved by few,” he stated. “It’s this distinction between often 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 techniques, to the tools wanted for every method,” he defined. “I plan meticulously to stay metal to a fats crappie.”
I’ve discovered this method makes all of the distinction. Somewhat than hoping for the most effective, profitable crappie fishing calls for a method that’s “custom-fitted” to the circumstances, the season, and the particular physique of water you’re fishing.
The Boat: Your Crappie Command Heart
Your boat serves as the muse for every little thing else. As Guillot places it, “I start with the most important fundamental piece of apparatus – 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 just make use of. Guillot’s method 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 capturing, stay bait displays, tightlining, utilizing a float, or single pole freelining. Then I play out each state of affairs as a way to be ready for no matter method I resolve to make use of,” he stated.
The number of methods displays the adaptability wanted to constantly catch crappie underneath altering circumstances. “Sooner or later they may be suspended at 12 toes and the subsequent day they may be hugging tight to construction at 6 toes. Having the tools and data to pivot between methods can flip a gradual day right into a productive one,” Guillot stated.
Deal with Administration
After 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 method to having precisely what he wants, when he wants it.
“These are the chosen baits wanted for all of the alternative 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 traces on the reels—not taking into consideration meals, drinks, rain gear, security tools, 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 correct baits,” stated Guillot. “You’ve acquired to retailer every little thing correctly to maintain it in prime situation. Good sort out group means extra fish within the boat when every little thing’s the place it must 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 informed me. “The specialty rods I take advantage of 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 could be cleaned of highway mud and grime. If braid is on the spools, 15-20 toes of line is stripped off so contemporary line is prepared for a jig,” he defined. “Over time and use, the coating on the braid traces wears out, permitting them to swell and fray. Extra spools of contemporary line are packed simply in case line is required within the area.”
Plastic Upkeep
One facet of Guillot’s preparation that significantly caught my consideration was his therapy 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 stated. “All of the plastics are restocked to the highest of the trays.”
This rejuvenation course of retains his comfortable plastics in prime situation, sustaining their flexibility and scent-holding capabilities. It’s the sort of element most anglers overlook however could make a big distinction when these finicky crappie are being selective.
Attractants
Guillot fishes a number of muddy water. He calls the East Pearl River residence and is aware of it just like the again of his hand. However at occasions, fish scent is required to tip the sacles in his favor.
“I take advantage of 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 superb 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 mild bites into strong 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 may face.
“After my journey, I give attention to my equipment, consumables, and provides,” Guillot stated. “Rags, contemporary clear towels, vacuum-packed change of garments, new sunscreen, contemporary hats are all important.”
Security tools 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 baggage,” he stated.
Transport
All this preparation can be wasted if the tools arrived on the fishing vacation spot broken or disorganized.
“All of the rods, sort out, provides, and consumables are packed within the fishing expedition automobile for the drive so after I get there, nothing is beat up from banging collectively within the boat whereas on the highway,” John informed me, highlighting the significance of defending gear throughout transport.
Stay Bait Preparation
For these days when synthetic lures simply received’t minimize it, having correctly maintained stay bait tools is essential. “All of the stay bait buckets I personal are washed with a bleach answer then neutralized earlier than turning the wrong 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 operating time is on every from the earlier season.” Guillot even traces 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 ensure that my fingers by no means contact the water,” he stated.
The Payoff
What may look like 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 achievement 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 discovered from years on the water—in the case of catching crappie constantly, preparation makes all of the distinction.
