There’s a reason we discuss crappie fishing on a regular basis in these pages. If you fish anywhere across their broad range and have wet a line for “specks,” you know why. If you haven’t, you’re missing one of the most popular sport fisheries on the planet. What’s more, if you are reading this publication, dedicated to owners of deck and pontoon boats, you likely already own a vessel that is perfect for pursing the popular panfish.
And I’m not just talking about pontoon boats, which are so popular among avid crappie anglers from recreational fishermen to those who are professional fishing guides or compete in crappie tournaments. Pontoon boats have earned and gained favor as the popularity of spider-rigging and “pushing” baits, rather than dragging lures aft off the transom, has grown. The tactic, spread from the fishing guide and pro-angler crappie camps to recreational anglers like me, picked up on the slow-trolling, multi-rod, vertical-presentation technique that is both powered and orchestrated from the bow of the boat. It didn’t take crappie anglers employing the technique too long to figure out that the wider the bow area, the more room for fishing – especially when state laws and/or passenger loads allowed the multi-rod presentations that gave the tactic its name. And there are no broader bows on the water that those offered aboard pontoon boats.
Of course, deck boats come in a close second, with their roomy forward cockpits that are large enough for mounting a pedestal chair or two and a battery of rod holders behind a bow-mounted electric trolling motor. So rigged for spider-rigging, deck boats are comfortable and effective crappie slayers.
However, the latest crappie-catching technique to gain a following among fishermen may boost deck boats into the spotlight as the ultimate dual-purpose crappie fishing platform. Even as some “speck” fanatics spread their lines off the bow for the famous vertical, “pushed” presentations, many are turning toward more traditional trolling techniques off the flat end of the boat.
Mounting rods off the transom and trailing staggered lines far back in the boat’s wake, anglers are finding what are known as “long line” or “pulling” techniques pioneered by walleye anglers are equally deadly on crappies. As with pushing, the boat is propelled by a bow-mounted motor, but may employ a smaller kicker motor at the transom for better control or power in waves and wind. The trick is you’ll need a bow-mounted electric motor that you can control via wireless remote control, because while “pulling” you’ll be seated in the aft cockpit monitoring the rods that are mounted on the transom or atop gunwales aft as far forward as the helm console.
Each of the rods trails a line to a lure, either a jig, jig and grub, or jig/grub/spinner combo, or a crankbait. Jigs are most popular among crappie pullers, in weights from 1/4 down to 1/32 ounce, because by simply slowing down or speeding up, the angler can control how deep his baits are running. Speed is a relative term, as the most productive pace may be as slow as .5 mph to as “fleet” as 1.5.
With multi-rod presentations, to keep baits separated and covering a wide swath of water, crappie pullers use rods anywhere from 18 feet long down to 6, with the longest sticks in holders farthest forward, set to keep the rods perpendicular to the gunwale. The balance of the rods are progressively shorter and each angled a bit farther aft.
Like their walleye trolling brethren, some crappie pullers employ in-line planerboards to separate their lines and spread their presentations. The problem is, the lighter bite of a crappie can be hard to detect on the boards, and when bites come fast, multiple boards can be difficult to manage. Smaller model in-line planer boards, such as those offered by Off Shore Tackle (www.offshoretackle.com) specifically for crappie trolling, are gaining in popularity, but at this point die-hard pullers seem to prefer flat-lined presentations. And short ones to boot, with baits rarely dragged more than 75 feet aft, and most between 45-65 feet behind the boat.
And yes, properly set-up pontoon models can be suitable for pulling as well as pushing. In fact, because the trolling speeds for both pushing and pulling tactics for crappies are comparable, both techniques can be used from the same boat at once. But don’t even think about trying that single-handed!
Broader Is Better
Pontoon and deck boats, with their wide, open bows, are perfect for push trolling tactics such as spider rigging. Even in states where anglers are limited to using one or two rods each, the technique can still be troublesome to engage in off the pointy end of traditional boats. That’s not an issue with the broad-bowed pontoon and deck boats, where there is room at each corner to place a rod holder and spread out the trolled presentations to port and starboard. Dual rod holders are an even better choice, allowing you to point one rod tip to the side and one straight forward from each corner of the bow to offer four rigs at once. With two jigs on each of the tandem rigs, that means with four rods you can fish eight baits at once, while covering a wide swath of water. Multi-rod holders popular with crappie fishermen are available from sources such as Tite-Lock (www.titelok.com) and Driftmaster (www.driftmaster.com).
Dan’s Pick: Starcraft MDX 191 OB
Starcraft’s popular 19-foot MDX model powered by an outboard is perfect for pushing or pulling for crappies – and doing so in comfort. The ride to and from the fishing grounds is smooth, dry and stable, even when crossing open water, thanks to an extended-depth Modified Dihedral V-hull that Starcraft developed to help tame the rough stuff. With the Fish Package option on the MDX, you net a livewell for the catch, a rod storage locker, a pair of fishing seats and rigging for the optional bow-mounted trolling motor that is critical to both slab-slaying trolling tactics. The side helm console layout buys bonus deck space between fishing stations on the bow when pushing baits or at the stern when pulling them. Amidships you find plenty of storage space and comfortable seating, including wrap-around lounge seat encompassing the entire port side and aft end of the cockpit. I’ve tested and reviewed several Starcraft fishing models over the years, and am always impressed with the features and quality I find for the price, and the fact that you can always tell that an angler is among the design team of the craft offering fishing layouts, packages and options.
Specifications
Length: 19’
Beam: 8’ 6”
Weight: 2250 lbs.
Passenger Capacity: 10/1400 lbs.
Fuel Capacity: 44 gals.
Max HP: 200
www.starcraftmarine.com
