Crackers on the 4th......Working the Pads Near Bottom on the Albemarle...

Comment

Comment by Jeffrey D. Abney on July 5, 2015 at 6:21pm

I like the bobber and split shot Jim......

Comment by Jim Gronaw on July 5, 2015 at 6:12pm

Do you use a bobber or drop the worm right to the bottom with a split shot?

Comment by Jeffrey D. Abney on July 5, 2015 at 1:13am

I look for open pockets Jim often only two to three feet wide.......I like a vertical presentation around pads so I choose pole and line........worms are the best  bait for crackers and I try to attach it so that I'm weedless because pad snags can be relentless.........a heavier line is a must for me to drag these fish out as they will wrap you up too......similar to a Crappie approach.......I look for structure within the pads as a target.......seems to help in many cases.......this particular river has miles of pads offering a challenge for determined shellcracker anglers....the spawn can be rewarding but fish are more difficult to locate where as they spread back out after the spawn.........took fourteen total on this trip with the distraction of a great Coppernose bite......but there is something addictive about 12 inch plus crackers that readily exceed a pound.......hope this helps Jim........

Comment by Jim Gronaw on July 4, 2015 at 7:45pm

Jeffrey...what is your technique for getting these pad-oriented crackers?

I have a small lake near home with pads, and crackers but only shore fishing is allowed. I think I can get them with the long pole. Any advice?

Comment by carl hendrix on July 4, 2015 at 5:16pm

lilly pads!!  a all time favorite!!

Comment by Jeffrey D. Abney on July 4, 2015 at 1:33pm

The crackers like to get around these pads.........