Whether you’re fishing for crappies in the traditional way, or using the newer livesonar method, Tim Huffman will tell you how to set up your boat to maximize your crappie success.

Dramatic changes in crappie fishing have created two different ways to approach catching fish. The traditional ways of casting, jigging, spider rigging and trolling still work. The new way is livesonar with one pole. The newer technique requires good electronics brackets, but not much else. Traditional methods need electronic brackets, too, but also benefit when rigged with the right pole holders.

Video crappie setup

Livesonar electronics are the new way to catch crappies. The technique involves finding fish by scanning with a transducer, usually attached to the trolling motor. When fish are seen on the screen, a bait is presented to them and the fisherman watches the bait to get it right in front of a fish to draw a strike.

Livesonar has changed the look of crappie fishing because there are no pole racks or holders required, just good electronics. Setup is simple.

Traditional crappie fishing

Traditional methods still catch crappies. They are great for fishermen who choose not to invest in livesonar, or who don’t want to stare at a screen all day while working non-stop at controlling a trolling motor.

Why get so caught up in rigging a boat? Because a properly rigged boat provides comfort and efficiency. A good setup helps a fisherman enjoy fishing.

David Baynard, owner of Driftmaster, is an expert in boat setup. He has spent years designing products and helping customers set up their boats. He is a phone call away from personal assistance.

Racks and holder setup

Pole holders are designed for two purposes. One is to keep a pole in the boat without fear of it being pulled or dragged into the lake. A fisherman doesn’t have to hold the pole in his or her hand all the time or worry it will leave the boat if it’s laid down. For simple fishing, it may be just one holder per fisherman so they can place a pole in a holder while watching a minnow/float rig positioned over cover. More complex setups for spider rigging and pulling require careful layout.

“Initial steps are important when setting a boat up to spider rig,” says Baynard. “First, decide how you are going to fish. Will you be by yourself or with someone? People usually rig for two, even if they fish by themselves most of the time, just so they are set up if someone goes along with them.

“You need to get everything just right, starting with positioning. The butt of the poles should be three to four inches from your knees, about knee high. You can quickly reach the pole and set the hook, so being close to your rod is important. However, you must also be able to turn in your seat to reach the net, minnow bucket or go to the back of the boat.”

Baynard says a fisherman should select the products he needs, buy them and get them assembled. He should get in his boat seat on the front deck with the new rack and holders, along with a pole he will be using. Put the pole in a holder with the butt sticking out of the holder about two inches. And then place the rack and holder where the rod butt is three to four inches in front of his knees.

“There are other factors, too. When you get the holders where you want them, be sure you can see your locators. Also, make sure the trolling motor raises up and down.

“A fisherman serious about spider rigging should buy a rack with vertical and horizontal adjustment of the holders. Horizontal positioning allows pole tips to be set an equal distance apart. This is good for concentrating tips close together for fishing specific stumps or cover where fish are tight together. Separating rod tips gives a wider coverage and prevents a lot of line tangles between poles. Adjustable holders allow any setup a fisherman wants.”

Baynard says vertical adjustment is important because it allows the pole tip to be set just above the water’s surface. This is important for seeing bites and to prevent the wind from blowing the line. When all poles are adjusted an equal distance from the water, and an equal distance apart, anything out of place means there is a bite or cover is being hit.

“Long-line trolling, also called pulling, is long-lining baits out the back of the boat. It can be done off the side of the boat with 10-, 12, 14- and 16-foot-long poles staggered along the side. Most people prefer to troll out the back of the boat. It allows for one rod length or several lengths to be used. Both are good ways to troll and require setting up the holders in convenient spots.”

Pulling jigs or crankbaits from the back deck is fun. A fisherman using a remote-controlled trolling motor can stay in the back of the boat, controlling the trolling motor and tending to the rods from the comfort of a boat seat. It’s a great way to crappie fish.

Setups for graphs

There are many models and types of hardware setups for electronics. Many serious fishermen often have two units on the front of the boat. Whether you have one or two graphs, there are different brands of good quality brackets, from simple and relatively inexpensive to heavy-duty with multiple adjustments and locks.

Pros agree that a fisherman should get the strongest bracket they can afford. Strength means less trouble when bouncing through whitecaps and typical fishing situations. Height and adjustments are important elements to getting a graph where it can be seen and easily adjusted.

Setting up a boat for crappie fishing can be simple or complicated. A fisherman should decide what he wants, set a reasonable budget and purchase the best options for the setup he wants.

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