Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - May/June 2020 - 8

HANG GLIDING
FOR CRAPPIES
by Darl Black
photos by the author
Ken Smith, Mercer County, has a reputation as one of
the best crappie anglers in northwest Pennsylvania.
I first met Smith about 10 years ago at
Pymatuning Reservoir, Crawford County. I
was looking for opportunities to take photos of
successful ice anglers. Smith was the only one with
a pile of panfish.
Nowadays, Smith and I share a day on the water
about once a year. If we are bobber fishing the
shallows or casting jigs to cover, I can hold my
own. But when the bite is tough, Smith wins the
day every time.
How does he do it? With a slow-troll technique
he calls "hang gliding".
"I have always loved crappie fishing. So, I
started spending all my vacation time down on
Kentucky Lake where they take crappie fishing
very seriously," said Smith.
"Down South, most crappie anglers do spider
rigging, where anglers position multiple long poles
over the bow of the boat, lower crappie jigs, and then very
slowly move forward on the trolling motor, pushing baits
past stumps and brush piles," said Smith.
Spider rigging boats have wide bow platforms that can
accommodate two anglers in fishing chairs and up to 10 rods
in rod holders. Smith knew his V-hull did not have enough
room for two anglers on the front deck. Therefore, he ran all
rods off one side of the boat, enabling his fishing partner in
the back seat to have an equal opportunity to catch fish.
"Compared to Kentucky Lake, Pennsylvania reservoirs
have few man-made brush piles and cribs. When I find
wood cover up here, I want to keep my baits hanging out
around it," said Smith.
To do this successfully, Smith became a master of fishfinding electronics. The importance of electronics is evident
by the amount of time he spends studying the signals
throughout a day of fishing. Electronics can precisely locate
crappies in, over, or beside cover.
But, when it comes to tackle, Smith's equipment is basic.
He employs the standard long crappie jig trolling rods in 12
foot models, preferring a tip action on the "stiffer" side. His

8

Pennsylvania Angler & Boater * May/June 2020

When Ken Smith learned about spider rigging in Tennessee, he
adapted the technique to his V-hull boat, which does not have
a wide bow platform for two anglers. He also slowed down
forward speed in order to hang over cover longer.
www.fishandboat.com



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Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - May/June 2020

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Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - May/June 2020 - Cover1
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Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - May/June 2020 - Contents
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