Finding and staying on crappies is the most challenging aspect of fishing for them. Wired2fish’s Kobie Koenig has this on full display during a spring outing that finds crappies suspended in open water. He explains how he uses mapping in conjunction with MEGA 360 Imaging to put jigs in the face of hungry crappies others are missing.
TACKLE USED
- JIG – Lunkerhunt Full Effect Jig, chart/white/glow
- ROD – ARK Reinforcer Spinning Rod, 7’3″ Med Light:
- REEL – Daiwa Legalis 1000 Spinning Reel
- LINE (braid) – Sufix 832 Braid, 8-pound
- LINE (leader material) – Sufix Advance Fluorocarbon, 6-pound
Fish finder technologies such as 360 sonar have made targeting roaming open water crappies possible and highly productive. Koenig details the springtime scenario of crappies transitioning between winter haunts and spawning areas. Still, this content is equally valid anytime crappies depart structure and cover in exchange for open water feeding opportunities. After locating a school, usually with side imaging, Koenig follows them around using MEGA 360 Imaging.
New sonar technologies have taught us that fish surprisingly boat wary. Koenig’s system allows him to stay off the fish while making long casts to unsuspecting victims. Lastly, he shares his simple rod and hair jig setup for putting vagabond specs in the boat.
KOBIE’S BOAT SETUP
- BOAT – Lund 2075 Pro-V Bass
- MOTOR – Mercury Pro XS 250hp
- PROP – Mercury Fury, 24P
- TROLLING MOTOR – Minn Kota Ultrex, 60”, 36v (112 lbs)
FISH FINDERS
- Console 1 – Humminbird HELIX 10 CHIRP MEGA DI+ GPS G4N CHO
- Console 2 – Humminbird HELIX 10 MEGA SI+ G4N
- Bow 1 – Humminbird HELIX 10 CHIRP MEGA DI+ GPS G4N CHO
- Bow 2 – Humminbird HELIX 12 MEGA SI+ GPS G4N
- Humminbird MEGA 360
- Humminbird LakeMaster Mapping
SHALLOW WATER ANCHORS & ACCESSORIES
- Minn Kota Raptor 10′ Shallow Water Anchor w/Active Anchoring – Silver
- Minn Kota Talon Tilt Brackets (custom modification)
- Minn Kota Raptor Wireless Footswitch – Bluetooth
ACCESSORIES
- RMP Versa Mount (2 on bow)
- T-H Marine G-Force Trolling Motor Handle and Cable
- T-H Marine Troll Jacket
- T-H Marine Fingerflex Blinker Trim Controls
- iPad (on RAM mount) with onX Maps
- T-H Marine Hot Foot
- T-H Marine Atlas Hydraulic Jackplate
BATTERIES AND CHARGERS
- Minn Kota On-Board Precision Charger, 3 Bank, 15 amp (MK-345PC)
- Minn Kota On-Board Precision Charger, 2 Bank, 15 amp (MK-230PC)
- Optima Blue Top D27M Deep Cycle Marine Battery (5)
- Perko Battery Switch
