Issue 36 January-March 2009

Newsletter for the south Florida canal and urban pond angler Our Purpose: To identify excellent south Florida freshwater fi shing opportunities and to provide urban anglers with relevant information that will enhance the quality of their outdoor experience.

Chasin’ cats your desired level of challenge, fi shing for The lowly catfi sh gets no respect. Maybe it’s catfi sh is worth a try. his habit of loafi ng around on the bottom of In the FWC’s South Region, there are our lakes and canals. Or perhaps it’s because several species of catfi sh you’re likely to come he won’t jump in a spray of aerial gymnastics across. One of the more popular is when hooked. But those who don’t respect the channel catfi sh. Although it Mr. Whiskers probably haven’t faced the doesn’t breed as readily in our challenge of hooking a wary, angler-smart south Florida cat, or locked rods with a really big one. lakes and Fishing for catfi sh can be as demanding as ponds as it most other forms of angling. On the other does in the hand, catfi shing can also be one of the more northern part relaxed methods of fi shing as well. Whatever of our state, stocking by FWC and limited reproduction in our larger waters makes This newsletter is a publication of the the channel cat accessible to most anglers. South Region Fisheries Management Section This is by far the largest catfi sh present in of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation the area, readily achieving weights of over ten Commission (FWC), and is paid for in part pounds. And the potential size is much great- by Sport Fish Restoration funds. To contact The City Fisher, e-mail john.cimbaro@myfwc. er—the Florida record stands at 44.50 pounds. com or phone John Cimbaro at 561-625-5122. Great baits for channels include commercial You can also write to: John Cimbaro; Florida “stink baits,” chicken or beef livers, cut sardines Fish and Wildlife Conservation or shiners, and live worms. A good channel Commission; 8535 Northlake cat outfi t is a medium spinning or casting rig Boulevard; West Palm Beach, FL spooled with 8-12 pound test line, depending on 33412. Back issues are available. the size of the catfi sh you expect to encounter. You can visit us at MyFWC.com. However, if you’re going after really big ones, line testing up to 20 pounds is not unreason- able. Depending on the size of fi sh you expect, use hook sizes ranging from 6 to 2/0. Aberdeen, baitholder and circle hooks are all popular choices for catfi sh, but the latter is most rec- ommended, especially if you’re not planning to keep what you catch. Circle hooks, in addition and 5.72 pounds, respectively. Gear should to reducing the chances of gut-hooking, may be correspondingly lighter, with a medium- also increase your percentage of solid hook- light outfi t strung with 6-8 pound line just ups. Baits are usually fi shed directly on the about right. Baits will be similar, but with live bottom, with an egg sinker added for casting worms being more effective for bullheads than distance if needed. However, for wary biters for channel catfi sh. Bullheads seem to take to in more heavily fi shed areas, no weight at all our man-made canals more readily than chan- and a relatively light line gets more hookups. nel catfi sh, and will also be more readily found Otherwise, casting your bait into the deeper than channels in places where the latter are areas of any lake or canal will usually fi nd fi sh. (Some anglers also do well fl oating their bait not regularly stocked. just off the bottom, suspended under a bobber.) A couple other catfi sh that might also Fish attractants applied to your bait will help put in an appearance include white catfi sh catfi sh, which have a highly developed sense of (present but uncommon in southeast Florida), smell, fi nd your bait quickly. and exotic walking catfi sh (far less com- I fi sh for channel catfi sh right on the mon than doom sayers predicted bottom. Chicken livers are my favorite bait— when they fi rst showed though they are soft enough that care must be up in Florida in the taken not to fl ip them off the hook when cast- 1950s). Both are ing. I usually like to set out two or three rods, edible. Cat- cast out in a fan pattern from my spot on the fi sh anglers bank, and prop them up so that I can keep a can also expect close eye on the lines dangling from the rod to cross lines with a couple other tips. I use spinning rigs and leave the bail open; species of fi sh, as well. Redear sunfi sh anglers (more coordinated than I am) that use (shellcracker) anglers targeting fi sh on the baitcasters should put the reel in free-spool and engage the clicker if their reels have one. When bottom often come up with a bullhead or two; line starts spilling off the spool or your reel conversely, bullhead anglers might also put a starts chattering, you know a cat’s just hit your few bream in the cooler, especially if using live bait! I’ll usually let the fi sh run with the bait worms. And odd as it may sound, I’ve actually for a few seconds before setting the hook. caught a fair number of bluegill—including Recently, I’ve been us- “hand-sized” specimens—on chicken livers. ing circle hooks with Most catfi sh perform well in the frying good results, and will pan—and that’s usually how you’ll want to pre- gradually tighten pare them. Dipped in egg and seasoned bread up on the line crumbs or cornmeal, cats will fry up nicely. instead of using the They have a clean white meat that serves well. traditional hook-set. Although catfi sh Flavor can vary, and an occasional complaint usually won’t take to the air, they will put up a with catfi sh is that they may taste fi shy out of strong fi ght—especially the bigger ones. While certain locales. Some anglers only keep small- bass may jump and splash, a decent-sized cat- er fi sh, up to only two or three pounds, claim- fi sh will make long, steady runs that will add a ing that they taste better than the bigger fi sh. “Whoa!” to your fi shing trip. Yellow and brown bullheads are the So if you haven’t gone after some catfi sh other catfi sh that anglers are most likely to recently, throw a lawn chair in the trunk and land in south Florida, and most everything grab a package of chicken livers for a morn- said about their larger cousin the channel cat- ing outing. Whether you’re looking for a fresh fi sh will apply to these whiskered fi sh as well. challenge or just want to sit back and take it Sizes are much smaller, with the state yellow easy for a few hours, you might develop a new- and brown bullhead records standing at 2.75 found admiration for Mr. Whiskers! where we momentarily interrupt an angler’s recreation to gather this information. Each angler asked to participate represents many other anglers that we cannot talk to, so it is very important that we get the most accurate information possible. The interviewer will want to know how long you’ve been fi shing, and what you caught and harvested as well as what you released. They may also measure your fi sh, check them for tags and ask some questions about where you live and other information that helps to explain results, including infor- mation on your age, which for instance relates to license sales. This information is used to determine what anglers want to catch, what they are catch- Fish biology: Creels—aren’t they ing (species, size and numbers), whether they old fashioned fi sh baskets? are keeping them, and other factors that allow biologists to estimate the health of a fi shery. By Bob Wattendorf, with Jason Dotson Combined with other data, such as information You might wonder why someone in a Florida from electrofi shing samples, biologists can deter- Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission mine what regulations are needed for size and (FWC) boat is stopping you and asking to con- creel limits, what is needed for habitat duct “a creel survey.” Two questions come to restoration, supplemental fi sh stocking, and mind. What is a creel? And why does it require where additional access, such as boat ramps, a survey? Very good questions – one answer shoreline access, or fi shing piers, may be needed. involves tradition; the other answer involves a For biologists to make the decisions that healthy fi shery. ultimately impact the quality of your fi shing, A creel is a wicker basket used for hold- they need honest, accurate information. False ing fi sh that an angler has caught, or a wicker responses that over or underestimate your fi sh trap. Today, we still use the expression de- catch can lead to unnecessary or unrealistic rived from that old-fashioned, but very stylish, solutions. For example, an underestimate of basket. Somehow we haven’t adapted to asking angling success could lead to stricter creel lim- if we can do “a live-well,” “ice-chest” or “catch- its (the number or size of fi sh anglers may le- and-release survey.” gally harvest) when they aren’t necessary and So bear with us when we ask for your stunting of the fi sh population because enough participation. Your answers to our questions big fi sh aren’t harvested to allow the others are important to the future health of Florida’s to grow rapidly. In case of an overestimate of fi sheries. angling success, the decision may be made that The FWC’s fi sheries biologists need to habitat improvements aren’t needed because know what you have been catching. Despite the fi shery is doing so well, delay a proposed using old-fashioned terminology, the sophis- fi sh stocking, or prevent appropriate harvest tication of these vital surveys has grown over regulations from being implemented. the years, and they are now a critical source Of course, biologists consistently use of information for determining how Florida’s multiple sources of data to reduce the chance fi sheries are doing. these types of errors will occur. But with recur- Since creel clerks who conduct these in- ring budget cuts, creel surveys and angler-atti- terviews cannot talk to every angler, biologists tude surveys become increasingly cost effective. and statisticians work together to carefully As other options, such as electrofi shing, seining determine a sampling scheme of when and or trawling, are reduced to save money, or sam- pling, such as block nets and gillnetting, are effort and harvest for sunfi sh (8 hours/acre/100 reduced because of adverse public perception, days) was observed at L-67A Canal, while the the need for honest, accurate answers to creels “Big O” led the way with a 4 sunfi sh per an- surveys becomes more and more important. gler-hour catch rate. The Stick Marsh/Farm-13 In 2007-08, FWC estimated fi sheries supported the most fi shing pressure for catfi sh dependent effects of sportfi sh catch, harvest, (0.7 hours/acre/100 days) and was second only effort and success rates from creel survey data to Lake Istokpoga (1.3 fi sh per angler-hour) in collected from 14 freshwater bodies throughout catfi sh catch rates. the state. Of the three primary sportfi sh types So the next time someone tells you they (black crappie, sunfi sh and largemouth bass), are conducting a creel survey, remember you most anglers once again pursued largemouth are representing many anglers and helping to bass (averaging 4.3 hours/acre/100 days). The ensure the safe and sustainable future of qual- 100 days refers to the peak spring fi shing ity recreational fi shing in Florida when you season, so multiplying by 3.65 to get an annual give a few minutes of your time and accurate rate would yield an over estimate, which is an information to the creel clerk. example of scientists trying to keep the data “real” and to standardize it so you can compare Note: In the South Region the FWC is cur- between water bodies. Some other highlights rently conducting creel surveys on the L-67A include the fact that anglers caught the most Canal; Lake Trafford; and Okeeheelee, Caloosa, bass per acre from the L-67A canal (31 bass/ Plantation Heritage and Tropical Fish Manage- acre) and the Stick Marsh (6 bass/acre), where- ment Areas. Your cooperation and assistance as a typical fi gure is less than 4 bass/acre. The are appreciated. canal fi sheries benefi ts from concentrating fi sh from the Everglades, so the per acre calcula- Instant licenses are available at MyFWC.com/ tion can be a little misleading, but it is none- License or by calling 1-888-FISH-FLORIDA theless an outstanding recreational asset. It is (347-4356). Report violators by calling *FWC important to note that less than 10 percent of or #FWC on your cell, or 1888-404-3922. Visit those bass were harvested (removed from the MyFWC.com/Fishing/Updates for more Fish system, the others were released). Catch suc- Busters’ columns. cess ranged from 0.32 bass/hour (Lake Harris) to 1.19 bass/hour in the L-67A. Often a fi gure Fishing forecast of 0.25 bass/hour (meaning one bass caught per January, February and March 2009 angler every four hours on the water) is consid- Osborne Chain-of-Lakes (Palm Beach County): ered typical in the U.S., with experienced an- This is the time of year anglers in south glers doing much better but the average infl u- Florida can expect largemouth bass to move enced by the many novices and those casually to shallow areas as the spawning peak (Janu- fi shing more for the relaxation then to compete ary/February/March) arrives. Fish the out- for the most bass. side edges of vegetation with topwater baits in The Stick Marsh (5 hours/acre/100 days) the early mornings and crankbaits or plastic and Lake Lochloosa (3 hours/acre/100 days) worms later in the day. Areas along any piers provided the most concentrated fi shing effort or seawalls will probably hold fi sh at this time for black crappie, but catch rate was highest as waters start to warm. Other spots to try for Lake Tohopekaliga at 2.33 fi sh per angler- for largemouth are the deep holes located in hour. Lake Okeechobee, the international the northern and middle sections of the lake crappie fi shing Mecca, has been somewhat during cooler days. Fish the holes with live less productive recently due to major habitat shiners, free-lined or with a small split shot. and weather-related effects. It produced 0.7 This technique is also a prime producer for hours/acre/100 days of crappie fi shing in the sunshine bass that become active at this time northwest area of the lake, with a catch rate of of year. Another method of catching sunshines 1.49 fi sh per angler-hour. The greatest focused is to fi sh on the bottom with cut shrimp. The 6th Avenue pass just before sunset is a good canals were stunned with electricity, netted, place and time to try this technique. Black weighed, measured, and released unharmed crappie (speck) fi shing will be good around back into the waterway from which they were the fi sh attractors using live minnows or jigs. collected. The overall electrofi shing catch rate Channel catfi sh, bream, and Mayan cichlid can of largemouth bass was 23 fi sh over ten-inches- be caught from shore using chicken liver, live long every hour. A total of 366 largemouth worms, crickets, and small jigs or beetle spins. bass were counted from the 11 canals. — by Ralph LaPrairie The populations of butterfl y peacock Everglades Water Conservation Areas (Palm Beach, in several well-known-to-angler Miami-Dade Broward, and Miami-Dade counties): Higher wa- canals are doing extremely well despite a great ter levels and cool surface temperatures will deal of fi shing pressure, a testament to the continue through much of this period. These good conservation ethic of catch and release conditions will continue to keep angler success practiced by many urban canal anglers for butterfl y peacock and largemouth bass. This fair to slow. The high water tends to disperse year the electrofi shing catch rate of butterfl y fi sh by giving them access to the extensive peacock larger than ten-inches-long in eight marsh areas. Some fi sh will, of course, remain Miami-Dade and Broward counties averaged in the canals. However, this same high water 27 fi sh every hour. A total of 327 butterfl y allows anglers to utilize the numerous marsh peacock were counted and released from these access trails in WCA 3 off Alligator Alley and canals. The electrofi shing catch rate of bream the L-67A Canal to pursue bass in the marsh (bluegill, redear sunfi sh, Mayan cichlid, and (“the fl ats”). Anglers should also be able to jaguar guapote) was 50 fi sh over six-inches- gain access to marsh fi shing in areas of WCA long every hour. 2, although no marsh access trails are main- These results are from an annual tained there. Fishing in this typically dense electrofi shing survey designed to monitor cover requires weedless presentations. Float- sportfi sh populations in urban canals in Mi- ing soft plastics, such as trick worms or frogs, ami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties. are good choices. Alternatively, pitch large Each canal is sampled for approximately eight Texas rigged plastics or a jig and pig into open- hours and based on these fi ndings, fi sheries Please remember that ings in the vegetation. biologists at the Non-Native Fish Laboratory displaying a 10x12 inch orange fl ag 10 feet above in Boca Raton predict that anglers will enjoy the bottom of the hull is required for all vessels excellent catches of largemouth bass, butterfl y entering the marsh. Anglers seeking bass in peacock, and bream this quarter. the canals should consider casting large deep The recent survey produced some inter- running crankbaits or spinnerbaits, until the esting facts: water begins to warm slightly. During the ■ Southeast Florida urban canals produce good colder periods live bait, such as shiners or numbers of quality largemouth bass but have minnows, fi shed near deep holes, water con- few “lunkers” over 6-8 pounds. trol structures, or canal junctions can provide ■ Some of the best canals for largemouth bass consistent catches of larger fi sh. Fishing for were the Tamiami (C-4) and Snake Creek (C- panfi sh (bluegill, sunfi sh, and exotics) will have 9) canals in Miami-Dade County, North New slowed, but good catches will still be possible— River (G-15) and Cypress Creek (C-14) canals and those fi sh that are caught are apt to be the in Broward County, and West Palm Beach (C- best tasting of the year. Natural bait or jigs 51) and Earman River (C-17) canals in Palm tipped with bait fi shed deep and slow should Beach County. produce mixed strings of panfi sh during the ■ Some of the best canals for butterfl y peacock cooler weeks. As spring-like weather returns were the Tamiami (C-4), Cutler Drain (C-100), panfi shing should pick up, and most techniques South New River (C-11) and West Palm Beach will produce. — by Barron Moody (C-51) canals. Metropolitan Miami Canals (Palm Beach, Broward, ■ The best canals for largemouth bass and but- and Miami-Dade counties): Between October and terfl y peacock combined were Snake Creek (C- November 2008, fi sh in 11 southeast Florida 9) and Tamiami (C-4) in Miami-Dade County, Cypress Creek (C-14) and South New River anglers should be able to catch good numbers (C-11) in Broward County, and Boynton (C-16) of bluegill using crickets and worms by target- and West Palm Beach (C-51) canals in Palm ing the edge of vegetation such as cattail and Beach County. smartweed. Catfi sh can be caught by fi shing ■ One canal yielded largemouth bass over eight night crawlers or chicken livers near the bot- pounds, four canals yielded largemouth bass tom. Anglers are encouraged to harvest the over fi ve pounds, and seven canals yielded bass non-native species found in the lake, the Ma- over four pounds. The largest largemouth bass yan cichlid. They are related to oscars and will collected this year weighed 8.1 pounds and aggressively take crickets or worms and can be measured 24.3 inches. harvested using small artifi cial lures. They are ■ The highest number of largemouth bass were fi ne table fare and there is no limit on the size shocked in the West Palm Beach (C-51) Canal, or number an angler can possess. Just be sure and the Tamiami (C-4) Canal had the most to put them on ice since it is illegal to transport butterfl y peacock. them live. — by Ralph LaPrairie ■ Five canals yielded butterfl y peacock over four pounds, and two canals yielded fi ve pound Moving up butterfl y peacock. The largest butterfl y pea- Regional Fisheries Administrator cock collected this year weighed 5.4 pounds and Jon Fury, interviewed in Issue 27, measured 20.9 inches. has been promoted to Section Lead- ■ Some of the best bream canals were Tamiami er of Freshwater Hatchery Opera- (C-4) and Snake Creek (C-9) canals in Mi- tions and Stocking. He is now over- ami-Dade County, Cypress Creek (C-14) and seeing the FWC’s Florida Bass Conservation North New river (G-15) in Broward Canal, and Center (Issue 30) and Blackwater Fisheries Boynton (C-16) and West Palm Beach (C-51) Research and Development Center (Issue 33). canals in Palm Beach County. ■ Snook and tarpon are found in many south- Filling his shoes as the new South Region east Florida canals and the highest numbers of Fisheries Administrator is Barron Moody, these sportfi sh were observed in the Tamiami interviewed in Issue 12. Good luck and best (C-4), Snake Creek (C-9), and North New River wishes to both in their new roles! (G-15) canals. January and February are the peak Seen any Florida Shiny Spikes lately? A new spawning months for largemouth bass in south fl yer entitled Florida’s Freshwater Mussels and Florida, and now is the best opportunity for Clams, printed by FWC in coordination with anglers to catch big bass. Butterfl y peacock the US Fish & Wildlife Service, identifi es many fi shing continues to be excellent except for of Florida’s common—as well as some of its temporary slowdowns associated with cold threatened—bivalves. It should prove an fronts. We strongly encourage anglers to prac- interesting tice catch and release of sportfi sh at all times reference but especially for largemouth bass during this for anglers season. — by Kelly Gestring who like Lake Trafford (Collier County): Water levels are to be able normal and crappie (speck) fi shing has been to identify productive so far this winter. Anglers will fi nd everything, the conditions a lot less challenging than last fi ns or not, year when water levels were extremely low. that they The bait of choice for most anglers is live min- see while fi shing. For now, but expect small artifi cial jigs to work your copy, just as well for those who know how to use check the them when fi sh can be located. Largemouth contact continue to be far and few between. The new information 18-inch minimum size limit on black bass is on the front designed to allow young bass the opportunity page. to make it to spawning size. On warmer days My love affair with tiny lures

In my early days as Don’t go too small on the reel. The tini- an angler, I was an est offerings available can be marvels of modern ultralight bream technology, but a tiny spool won’t hold much fi sherman. I’d been line, creates excessive line friction, and leads to heavily infl uenced unnecessary line curling (memory). Stick with by writings describ- slightly larger reels that are rated for up to six- ing the romance of pound line, even if all you ever put on it is two- or tossing tiny lures with four-pound test. A slightly larger reel will also small rigs loaded with help to balance a rod with a larger handle, if nec- hair-thin line. My experiences essary. “Ultralight” is a relative term, depend- (and gear) held me in good stead ing on the size of fi sh you’re after, but for most when I later had the opportunity to freshwater anglers it will mean sticking with pursue rainbow and brook trout. Even- four pound test line, and occasionally dropping to tually, however, this ultralight angler two-pound. However, modern braids are thinner wandered into waters frequented by bass than traditional monofi laments, and heavier test and redfi sh willing to occasionally chomp lines can still provide the fi ne-line aesthetics of a a smaller lure. These unexpected encounters light line while giving you a stronger connection with some of the “big guys” caused me to quickly between angler and fi sh. This will be an advan- add medium gear to my angling arsenal, joined tage to those learning to use ultralight tackle, as by heavier lines and larger lures. Soon, my well as for those surprise occasions when a larger ultralight tackle stayed home more often than it fi sh takes your lure. accompanied me. I was transformed into primar- ily a bass angler, and this remains my happy Spinners staple to this day. But occasionally I’ll miss the “old days.” I’ll leave everything home except for Although these fl ashing lures my favorite ultralight outfi t and a tackle box are generally overlooked in full of tiny favorites, and spend a morning toss- the Sunshine State, they ing thumbnail-sized offerings for bream and the work great on both bream and bass. For tiny-mouthed occasional bass. Whether you’ve tried ultralight bream you should stick to fi shing or not, it can be a refreshing diversion 1/16 or 1/8 ounce offerings from the usual fare—or a rekindling of the happy (or smaller); the bigger hooks romance of earlier days. on larger sizes will lead to many missed A brief note about tackle strikes. I usually stick with either a silver or gold blade. Hooks dolled up with fur or plastic Modern technology makes ultralight fi sh- tubing may help prevent short-striking by cau- ing even more of a delight than it was in the tious fi sh. I usually bend the barbs down on past. It’s now pretty easy to put together a all my hooks, especially trebles, because the good-quality ultralight spinning rig at nominal smaller size of ultralight lures allows them to cost. (Due to the extremely light weight of the be more easily “inhaled” deeper into the mouth lures used, baitcasting is out; however, ultra- than standard sized lures. light spin-casting outfi ts are available.) I like a I’ll use a steady retrieve punctuated by graphite rod with single-footed guides, prefer- occasional twitches when working spinners. ably six feet long (though most ultralights will Cast and let the spinner sink to the desired top out at fi ve-and-a-half). The extra length, if depth, staying alert for a possible strike dur- you can fi nd it, will go a long way toward effec- ing the fl uttering drop. Then twitch your rod tively playing larger fi sh on light line. However, tip to get the blade spinning as you begin your longer rods frequently have oversized handles retrieve. You’ll want ceramic or aluminum which can make the outfi t feel cumbersome and oxide guides for working spinners, because the reduces sensitivity to strikes. constant line tension will wear a groove in the simple chrome-plated guides found on cheaper that creates very little line tension compared to rods. I like Colorado-bladed spinners (such as a standard spinnerbait. the Mepps Aglia) or in-line spinners (such as Panther Martin) because the blades rotate eas- Jigs ily with a slower retrieve. These are ideal for Among the simplest and most working the shallows. If you need to go deeper, basic of artifi cials, jigs come or are working moving water, try Mepps’ Aglia closer than anything else Long series (those with the plastic minnow teas- to being the universal lure. er are tops for bass) or Rooster Tails; the longer, They’ll catch, at one time or narrower blades will run deeper and won’t twist another, any sportfi sh that as badly in current. An extra trick with spinners is to attach swims our waters. Tiny jigs a one-foot dropper to the treble with a nymph or are no exception. Available in wet fl y tied on the end. Often, bream that pass smaller sizes than other lures, ultralight an- up or miss the spinner will take the fl y. I’ve glers can go as small as 1/32 or even 1/64 ounce. found this to work especially well on scrappy The tiniest jigs are hard to cast, and hard to spotted sunfi sh (stumpknockers), a fi sh small detect strikes with (due to their almost nonex- enough that ultralight tackle is a must for any istent line tension). Most anglers will do well sticking with 1/8 or 1/16 ounce sizes. Dressing real challenge. styles and colors vary widely, but will be similar Beetle spins to those for beetle spin jigs. You would be hard- pressed to come up with a wrong way to work a One of the disadvantages of jig; suffi ce it to say that if it’s not actually lying going to light line is that you on the bottom, you have a chance of catching often won’t get your snagged a fi sh. A quick retrieve with lots of jerks will lure back from a lily pad work well, although with curlytail or swimming or cypress branch. Beetle jigs a steady retrieve with less twitching can spins have the advantage also be quite effective for most species. of being one of the few semi- weedless lures in the ultralight Crankbaits and minnow imitations angler’s arsenal. They allow you to snake an ultralight offering into places most There’s a much greater variety of tiny crankbaits other lures won’t ever emerge from. I prefer and minnow imitations now than ever used to be dressing mine with a curlytail grub, although available to anglers. Most less than two inches marabou or spinnerbait-skirt style dressings in length would qualify for the light to ultralight can also be effective. I usually stick with white, category. Better known examples are the No. 5 yellow or black, in that order, though experi- Rapala Original Floater (my absolute favorite in mentation will yield plenty of other effective this category), smaller sizes of the Rebel Minnow shades. Stick with the smaller sizes—1/16 or (jointed or straight, including a petite 1-1/2 inch 1/8 ounce. Although the traditional “safety-pin” model), the Rebel Teeny Wee-Crawfi sh, and the style beetle spins are most commonly available, Rapala Mini Fat Rap. Silver and gold are my smaller “crappie spinnerbaits” can also fi ll the standbys in all models except the Wee-Crawfi sh. same role. And just like their bass counter- Yo-Zuri, Bagley, and other major manufacturers parts, these crappie spinnerbaits (and beetle also offer scaled-down versions of their better- spins) will often attract the attention of nearby known offerings. There are plenty of off-brands bass. Blade styles are limited, with most beetle available too, but ultralight crankbaits must be spins sporting a single Colorado. This is usually carefully balanced to not tumble and this is one satisfactory for most situations, though you’ll place where the dollar or two savings won’t be see more variety in the harder-to-fi nd crap- worth it. Regardless of brand, be careful not to pie spinnerbaits. I usually stick with a steady retrieve small crankbaits too fast or they may roll retrieve, throwing in occasional twitches of the or become unstable. Tying the line directly to the rod tip. Letting the lure fl utter once in a while lure eye might hamper the action of these tiniest may also draw an extra strike, though you’ll of swimmers, so I like using a tiny cross-lock style have to stay pretty alert to detect it on a lure snap so that the lures can swim freely.