Love watching your crappie videos thanks for sharing all your tip tottally enjoy your channel and good luck ext season got a feeling your gonna do really well !
You can also soak your mono for five or six days in plain water it makes a world of difference. Another mean gene tip. When replacing my line I pull off ten or 15 feet more than I normally cast. Leaving a backing on my reel. Then unwind the new line the same distance cut tie on to reel and load the line with tension you can actually see the line twist as you load. Worked for the past few years for me
You mention fishing brush a lot in your videos and it brings up a question. My hope lake is Sam Rayburn in East Texas. Being a really mature lake most natural brush is long gone and docks are not allowed so most serious crappie fishermen here add their own man made brush piles in one way or another. I was just wondering if that is something that is done on older lakes you are fishing up in your area? Just curious. Excellent fishing footage👍
Hey Brandon I fished Tim's Ford also what part of the lake is best for crappie fishing I haven't gotten into any crappy yet I do a lot of fishing around the dam part of the lake
I've learned something from every trip you've shared with us. This time was the line twist on flipping the bail. Awsome channel. You and Richard Gene are my favorite teachers and we appreciate you and your channel.
Hello from Canada, you've provided some excellent fishing tips. Regarding line twist one thing I'd add that I see fishermen do all the time is cranking the reel when the drag is letting line out. This mistake will twist your line faster than anything. Naturally you need to maintain line pressure just don't reel when the drag is letting line out.
I use ultra light rod& reel 4lb test line long shank 1/32 oz jighead for extra action tie on jigs!! My best color was bobby garland 2" white minnow shape jigs you can't go wrong with this color!!!!!!
Great tips for targeting Crappie from the boat! Trying to learn more about it this year and found your video. Do you have any bank fishing tips for targeting Crappie?
@@michaelstumpf3646 is it breaking when you pull it down tight or while your fishing? What size braid are you using? And what does the line look like when it breaks, is it a clean break or is the knot still left on the line? A lot of different things could be happening but I’ll try to help
@@michaelstumpf3646 next time it happens look at the loop really close. I bet it’s not breaking. I would say the line is slipping though the crack in the actual eye of the hook. Some jigheads don’t have the eye of the hook crimped closed enough and small line (especially braid) will slip through. Take a pair of pliers and crimp that eye closed as hard as possible. I bet that will solve your problem.
I’m trying to get into crappie fishing with my dad and my uncle what crappie rod do you recommend? I’ve looked at Acc, Duckett. I see that your using Bass pro shop. I would rather go to my local Cabelas and look at the rods then buy one online.
There are a lot of good ones on the market. I recommend something in the 6’ to 7’ range. Every company is different when it comes to rod power but usually you want light or medium light action. I like a rod with plenty of tip action but I don’t want too flimsy because you will lose sensitivity. Thanks for watching!
Was around 56 this morning at Lost Creek was cold and windy caught one smallmouth I think I need to go back to crappie fishing for a while biggest I've caught at Tim's was 2.06 at 16 inches but been some time since I've tried! Love the videos as always!
What would be one thing you would recommend to a new Crappie Angler. No electronics fishing lakes with docks, rip rap, and some but minimal timber/brush piles? Just came across your channel in my recommended videos. Great video.
Look for high percentage places like bridge columns, docks with brush around them, and isolated tree tops. Once you get a few bites and catch a few crappie that will help you narrow down your search. Good luck and thanks for watching!
Great video Brandon! I just found you as well. Read some of the comments and they are right. You do a great job narrating and the key is you teach the what and why and not just fish, and say, hey look at me catch them to the viewers as many do on YT. Keep up the great work! You are a natural! Your channel is going to grow! I've watched literally thousands of crappie videos and I would put you in the Top 3 regarding channels. Again, your narrating ability is nothing short of T.V. professional caliber. Absolutely a joy to watch and listen to. I can't wait to catch up watching all the vids you have already posted! God's Blessings, and stay safe!
What's the best month for big fish and the best for numbers on Tims Ford ? Hate to buy a non res license this late in the year but feel like it's gonna be the best fishing.
Now through mid March is about as good as it gets in my opinion. Don’t quote me on this but I believe TN is now a state where your license runs for one year from the date you purchase it. I’m pretty sure they changed to that policy this year. It would be worth checking on. Thanks for watching!
Every lake is different but I find a lot of times certain areas of the lake will hold bigger fish on average. I also seem to catch the really big crappie out of smaller, harder to find schools. Good luck and thanks for watching!
I haven’t seen that happen very often but anything can happen when a fish flares thier gills and inhales a bait. The jig can get flipped upside down in their mouth then you set the hook and catch them in the bottom jaw. Doesn’t necessarily mean anything in my opinion. Thanks for watching!
Side imaging is really all you need to find them. You can tell where they are sitting in relation to the dock, and even how deep they are with a little practice. Good luck and thanks for watching!
Have you ever tried to mash the barb down on your hook, "crappie or blue gill" not bass lures, I found it is a lot easier to unhook them, and also if you hang up you will get a lot of your jogs unhung, just a suggestion
Thanks for the great videos. I want to ask you how you mount your live target transducer and if it’s on the bottom of your trolling motor how does that work with ipilot?
In certain situations yes. The problem with live bait is it can be hard to get it in front of fish that are real tight to cover. It’s easy enough to shoot a jig under a dock and get to them, but that would be next to impossible with a minnow. I plan to do a live minnow crappie video soon, and we’ll talk some more about this. Thanks for watching!
Loved the video Brandon as always .... I notice alot of the fish you catch off those docks are fairly shallow and you use a 1/16 or 1/32 oz head.,,up here in upper Northeast Tennessee I catch alot around docks and use a 3/32 oz head..... We get alot of current up here and the heavier weight helps me get the bait down to them..... Can't skip the 3/32 but helps me to catch them deeper and I use it to also tightline them..... Awesome crappie videos buddy!
Yes sir not much current in the lake I fish but I could definitely see where you would need that bigger size to get the bait down. Thanks for watching!
Do you believe in scents to put on your crappie jigs when the bite is tuff and if you do what kind do you use? Thanks Brandon for the videos love watching them bud!
Your last video using the war eagle spinner bait worked great in the Coosa river in Alabama day before Thanksgiving.....thanks for the great Tip. And happy Thanksgiving
Brandon I see you’re fishing some pretty clear water there with hiviz line. I bank or wade fish for crappie in some heavily pressured spots here in Mississippi. What do you think about using fluoro or fluoro coated mono instead of hiviz in that type situation? Would it make a big enough difference? Great video! Thanks Brandon
Their are a lot of different opinions on this topic, and I'll give you mine. I absolutely believe fish become line shy, I've seen it time and time again especially in the bass fishing world. With that being said, to me the benefits of high vis line when crappie fishing still outweigh the cons. I want to be able to see my line at ALL times when crappie fishing. Just my thoughts but do whatever works for you. Thanks for watching!
I use Lowrance Active Target. There are three different brands of forward facing sonar on the market now. I tell people to use what you have confidence in. For me, that is Lowrance all the way. And yes it is definitely worth it! I couldn't imagine fishing without it now after having it for the past year. Thanks for watching!
Hey Brandon... first time I've seen your channel and I really enjoyed it. I subscribed and am looking forward to more like this one. I fished Tims Ford back in the early 70's and caught some big crappie. Back then it was live bait and cane poles. A lot has changed since then. I'm mostly down on Wheeler lake these days. Hope to see more like this. Very informative and helpful. You never get to old to learn. Thanks again..
great videos! I fish a run of the river system with very few feeder creeks/bays, mostly main river channel. We definitely have good crappie but I have a hard time managing the current. Any tips on catching them in current?
It’s been my experience that crappie will get out of current if they possibly can. Look for eddies and places that break the current like bridge columns, barge ties, creek mouths, rock jetties, etc. Learn to read the current and what the crappie relate to and you will find success I bet. May try to do a video on this it’s a great topic! Thanks for watching!
Hello ! Brandon Lester. I am a big fan of your TH-cam. God put it on my heart to ask you for your help please. Can you help me out with a crappie spinning reel I lost all my fishing equipment due to a storage house fire and I lost my job that I had for 25 years due to someone had the virus on the job. And I have no money to purchase another one. Will you please help me Brandon Lester. Thank you so much.🙏🙏
You and clay need to come to the lake house at darbonne lake and crappie fish with me and John Godwin you got my number let’s do it enjoy your u tube page
1st timer, Nice video, that closing the bail tip with your hands(especially in high winds) is big. As a inshore charter Captain I teach customers that before their 1st cast. Your call quote “Just Go FISHIN Man” it cures all Capt. Vic
I love the educational style videos like this one! Idk if you’ve done this before but could you do a video about locating crappie on a new body of water using electronics? Thanks, keep it up!
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Love watching your crappie videos thanks for sharing all your tip tottally enjoy your channel and good luck ext season got a feeling your gonna do really well !
Love your attitude. Press On!!!
You can also soak your mono for five or six days in plain water it makes a world of difference. Another mean gene tip. When replacing my line I pull off ten or 15 feet more than I normally cast. Leaving a backing on my reel. Then unwind the new line the same distance cut tie on to reel and load the line with tension you can actually see the line twist as you load. Worked for the past few years for me
Great video thanks
I like the you educate and catch
I had fun catching tons of crappie
Great informative content
Thanks for watching!
It works!
Man you GOT EM! Great technique with your jig slingshotting. I got some brushing up to do! New Sub from Indiana, keep up the great Vids.
Thanks!
Firstimer also, really enjoyed and subscribed.
You are trying to be a great representative of the outdoors. My feed to you is to also keep God with you ! It will bless your heart .
I enjoy fishing with you.
Thanks for explaining the loop knot👍👍🎣🎣
new subscriber
I like this channel
man I miss northern lakes
Great Job!!! Thanks again
It really is that simple… when you have 5k in electronics to tell you exactly where they are haha
You mention fishing brush a lot in your videos and it brings up a question.
My hope lake is Sam Rayburn in East Texas. Being a really mature lake most natural brush is long gone and docks are not allowed so most serious crappie fishermen here add their own man made brush piles in one way or another. I was just wondering if that is something that is done on older lakes you are fishing up in your area?
Just curious. Excellent fishing footage👍
Hey Brandon I fished Tim's Ford also what part of the lake is best for crappie fishing I haven't gotten into any crappy yet I do a lot of fishing around the dam part of the lake
Great content bro you got a new fan.Keep it up bro.
Can you show more about the 'shooting' cast?
I plan on doing a video about it soon. Thanks for watching!
Amen! God bless you and your family Brandon!
Thanks, you too!
Do they play in the trees much in colder water?
I like that you kept some, and you gave a valiant fighter another round. Subbed .
Thanks for watching and for the sub!
I'll be down there next week For a few days. Leave a few
Right behind my house...that noise in the background is a lot they are clearing for us. Love your content. Keep up the great work!
Thanks! Have them push all the brush in the lake, the crappie love it 😂. Thanks for watching!
I been watching your show for a long time; can you tell me what lake in the northeast USA I find a good size crappies, thanks
How did you find them before livescope?
Have you ever tried shooting braid?
I have. It’s not for me. I like mono
I love catching crappie you doing the same I used to do but I fished from the bank caught tons of them!!!
When you get a little down time, could you do the loop knot demonstration maybe indoors so we can see the details close up?
I've learned something from every trip you've shared with us. This time was the line twist on flipping the bail. Awsome channel. You and Richard Gene are my favorite teachers and we appreciate you and your channel.
That’s what it’s all about! Thanks for watching!
Never new that about the bail flipping. Line twist is my biggest hang up on spinning reels.
Hello from Canada, you've provided some excellent fishing tips. Regarding line twist one thing I'd add that I see fishermen do all the time is cranking the reel when the drag is letting line out. This mistake will twist your line faster than anything. Naturally you need to maintain line pressure just don't reel when the drag is letting line out.
Great fishing tips thanks Brandon
Great video - thank you for the tips.
Do you put your line in water before you spool it on reel?
What I hate about bluegill bites is they will bite the tail off the gig.
So what about a lake on fishing from the bank and has no doc where are the crappie going to be this time of year
id be mad as hell if i was sitting in my house and saw someone catch a mess of crappie off my dock imao
I use ultra light rod& reel 4lb test line long shank 1/32 oz jighead for extra action tie on jigs!! My best color was bobby garland 2" white minnow shape jigs you can't go wrong with this color!!!!!!
💪🏾💪🏾💪🏾
Great tips for targeting Crappie from the boat! Trying to learn more about it this year and found your video. Do you have any bank fishing tips for targeting Crappie?
Why is my braid line breaking when trying a loop knot?
@@michaelstumpf3646 is it breaking when you pull it down tight or while your fishing? What size braid are you using? And what does the line look like when it breaks, is it a clean break or is the knot still left on the line? A lot of different things could be happening but I’ll try to help
@@BrandonLesterFishing Breaking in the loop. 6lb Suffix 835.!
@@michaelstumpf3646 next time it happens look at the loop really close. I bet it’s not breaking. I would say the line is slipping though the crack in the actual eye of the hook. Some jigheads don’t have the eye of the hook crimped closed enough and small line (especially braid) will slip through. Take a pair of pliers and crimp that eye closed as hard as possible. I bet that will solve your problem.
Thanks for sharing your video I am an old young crappie Fisherman that needs coaching
Enjoy your videos, hometown fan
Thanks for the support, really appreciate it!
Great tips. Crappie are starting to bite better down here on Pickwick.
Another good tip for line twist! When you close your bail, pull the line a little bit! Keeps it from getting wind knots! LIVE FOR THE THUMP!!!
I’m trying to get into crappie fishing with my dad and my uncle what crappie rod do you recommend? I’ve looked at Acc, Duckett. I see that your using Bass pro shop. I would rather go to my local Cabelas and look at the rods then buy one online.
There are a lot of good ones on the market. I recommend something in the 6’ to 7’ range. Every company is different when it comes to rod power but usually you want light or medium light action. I like a rod with plenty of tip action but I don’t want too flimsy because you will lose sensitivity. Thanks for watching!
Big crappie won't stay on those short jigheads you need long shank jigheads have them made or find them through out your bait shops
Brandon I too am a first timer and really like your style. I’ll be checking out your other videos as soon as I smash the sub button.
Welcome aboard! Thanks for watching!
Was around 56 this morning at Lost Creek was cold and windy caught one smallmouth I think I need to go back to crappie fishing for a while biggest I've caught at Tim's was 2.06 at 16 inches but been some time since I've tried! Love the videos as always!
Post frontal days can be tough this time of year for sure. Thanks for watching!
What if you don't have thousand dollars worth of electronics.? What do I look for
Great tips I just started keeping fish. And really started getting into fishing. Thank you!
Thanks for going over your set up. Gonna give this a try on dale hollow.
Never tried it over there but I bet it will work! Thanks for watching!
What would be one thing you would recommend to a new Crappie Angler. No electronics fishing lakes with docks, rip rap, and some but minimal timber/brush piles? Just came across your channel in my recommended videos. Great video.
Look for high percentage places like bridge columns, docks with brush around them, and isolated tree tops. Once you get a few bites and catch a few crappie that will help you narrow down your search. Good luck and thanks for watching!
@@BrandonLesterFishing thanks a lot man!
Can you show a picture of your locator showing those Crappie around a dock and how close do you come to not spook the fish?
Are roaming crappie and open water crappie the same thing?
Great advice thank you, also I’m in Indiana was wondering where you was fishing? Thank you for the video
Middle Tennessee. Thanks for watching!
Would your bait set up be different if the fish were deeper (15-20 ft.)?
Find structure they love structure
Great video Brandon! I just found you as well. Read some of the comments and they are right. You do a great job narrating and the key is you teach the what and why and not just fish, and say, hey look at me catch them to the viewers as many do on YT. Keep up the great work! You are a natural! Your channel is going to grow! I've watched literally thousands of crappie videos and I would put you in the Top 3 regarding channels. Again, your narrating ability is nothing short of T.V. professional caliber. Absolutely a joy to watch and listen to. I can't wait to catch up watching all the vids you have already posted! God's Blessings, and stay safe!
Thanks a lot for the kind words! I’m glad everyone is enjoying the videos, because I’m enjoying taking you all along. Thanks for watching!
Nice catch and thanks for the valuable tips.
Thanks for watching!
Awesome video man. What part of the country are you fishing? I’m way dale in south Louisiana. Keep them coming !!👍🏻
What's the best month for big fish and the best for numbers on Tims Ford ? Hate to buy a non res license this late in the year but feel like it's gonna be the best fishing.
Now through mid March is about as good as it gets in my opinion. Don’t quote me on this but I believe TN is now a state where your license runs for one year from the date you purchase it. I’m pretty sure they changed to that policy this year. It would be worth checking on. Thanks for watching!
Thanks man. Maybe i'll see you up there on the water soon.
Just looked it up. They did change it but it takes effect March 1 2022.
Great instinct on catching those crappie I’ll use some of those techniques when I get back out
What is your best tip for hunting the fish with size? I seem to find eaters all the time, but am having a hard time really finding the bigguns.
Every lake is different but I find a lot of times certain areas of the lake will hold bigger fish on average. I also seem to catch the really big crappie out of smaller, harder to find schools. Good luck and thanks for watching!
If You get a crappie hooked in the lower jaw, what does that tell you?
I haven’t seen that happen very often but anything can happen when a fish flares thier gills and inhales a bait. The jig can get flipped upside down in their mouth then you set the hook and catch them in the bottom jaw. Doesn’t necessarily mean anything in my opinion. Thanks for watching!
@@BrandonLesterFishing I have heard its from the bait being below them.
If you don't have forward looking sonar, what would you suggest to help narrow the search for crappie?
Side image
Side imaging is really all you need to find them. You can tell where they are sitting in relation to the dock, and even how deep they are with a little practice. Good luck and thanks for watching!
What state are you in?
Have you ever tried to mash the barb down on your hook, "crappie or blue gill" not bass lures, I found it is a lot easier to unhook them, and also if you hang up you will get a lot of your jogs unhung, just a suggestion
I’ve never tried that. Guess I would be afraid I would lose fish because of it. Thanks for the suggestion and thanks for watching!
Thanks for the great videos. I want to ask you how you mount your live target transducer and if it’s on the bottom of your trolling motor how does that work with ipilot?
Do you think live bait will help you catch more fish or no?
In certain situations yes. The problem with live bait is it can be hard to get it in front of fish that are real tight to cover. It’s easy enough to shoot a jig under a dock and get to them, but that would be next to impossible with a minnow. I plan to do a live minnow crappie video soon, and we’ll talk some more about this. Thanks for watching!
Yes sir. Good stuff!! You’re putting out some great content, simple & to the point. Great info!!
Thanks man really appreciate it!
Yes sir love your videos was wondering about your jig heads do you use double cross heads or a little glue on your Bobby garlands
Usually use a little dab of super glue to help hold them in place better. Thanks for watching!
❤💯💯💯👀💪🏽
Loved the video Brandon as always .... I notice alot of the fish you catch off those docks are fairly shallow and you use a 1/16 or 1/32 oz head.,,up here in upper Northeast Tennessee I catch alot around docks and use a 3/32 oz head..... We get alot of current up here and the heavier weight helps me get the bait down to them..... Can't skip the 3/32 but helps me to catch them deeper and I use it to also tightline them..... Awesome crappie videos buddy!
Yes sir not much current in the lake I fish but I could definitely see where you would need that bigger size to get the bait down. Thanks for watching!
Do you believe in scents to put on your crappie jigs when the bite is tuff and if you do what kind do you use? Thanks Brandon for the videos love watching them bud!
Your last video using the war eagle spinner bait worked great in the Coosa river in Alabama day before Thanksgiving.....thanks for the great Tip. And happy Thanksgiving
That’s awesome I love the Coosa, especially Logan Martin! Really fun lake to fish. Thanks for watching!
What state are you fishin in? Nice video man definitely subscribing.
Tennessee. Thanks for the sub and thanks for watching!
Brandon I see you’re fishing some pretty clear water there with hiviz line. I bank or wade fish for crappie in some heavily pressured spots here in Mississippi. What do you think about using fluoro or fluoro coated mono instead of hiviz in that type situation? Would it make a big enough difference? Great video! Thanks Brandon
Their are a lot of different opinions on this topic, and I'll give you mine. I absolutely believe fish become line shy, I've seen it time and time again especially in the bass fishing world. With that being said, to me the benefits of high vis line when crappie fishing still outweigh the cons. I want to be able to see my line at ALL times when crappie fishing. Just my thoughts but do whatever works for you. Thanks for watching!
@@BrandonLesterFishing Thanks for the reply! Merry Christmas and happy fishing.
@@darkfiredDAWG Merry Christmas to you as well!
Nice slabs...went by the lake the other day and I'm guessing it's already at winter pool..gonna get up there soon and try to catch a few on livescope
Hey Brandon! Just learned of your channel. I know you love chasing those crappies. See you on the Elite series trail in 2022!
Looking forward to it! Thanks for watching!
Great video,Do you use live scope?And if so is it worth the investment?Great video really enjoy them!
I use Lowrance Active Target. There are three different brands of forward facing sonar on the market now. I tell people to use what you have confidence in. For me, that is Lowrance all the way. And yes it is definitely worth it! I couldn't imagine fishing without it now after having it for the past year. Thanks for watching!
Hey Brandon... first time I've seen your channel and I really enjoyed it. I subscribed and am looking forward to more like this one. I fished Tims Ford back in the early 70's and caught some big crappie. Back then it was live bait and cane poles. A lot has changed since then. I'm mostly down on Wheeler lake these days. Hope to see more like this. Very informative and helpful. You never get to old to learn. Thanks again..
How’s the crappie fishing down on wheeler? Never tried for crappie down there. Good luck and thanks for watching!
Richard Gene The Fishing Machine. TH-cam him. You will not be disappointed either. Thumbs up to this video!
@@keithk1897
Been watching him for a while. He’s a hoot and I’ve picked up a lot from him. Lots of little things that make a big difference.
great videos! I fish a run of the river system with very few feeder creeks/bays, mostly main river channel. We definitely have good crappie but I have a hard time managing the current. Any tips on catching them in current?
It’s been my experience that crappie will get out of current if they possibly can. Look for eddies and places that break the current like bridge columns, barge ties, creek mouths, rock jetties, etc. Learn to read the current and what the crappie relate to and you will find success I bet. May try to do a video on this it’s a great topic! Thanks for watching!
wish I had $3,000 for a live Scope setup. no one wants to show how to catch fish without live Scope.
You can still catch them fine without it, it’s just going to take you a lot longer to find them. Thanks for watching.
Hello ! Brandon Lester. I am a big fan of your TH-cam. God put it on my heart to ask you for your help please. Can you help me out with a crappie spinning reel I lost all my fishing equipment due to a storage house fire and I lost my job that I had for 25 years due to someone had the virus on the job. And I have no money to purchase another one. Will you please help me Brandon Lester. Thank you so much.🙏🙏
You and clay need to come to the lake house at darbonne lake and crappie fish with me and John Godwin you got my number let’s do it enjoy your u tube page
Thanks buddy we may try to do that sometime!
1st timer, Nice video, that closing the bail tip with your hands(especially in high winds) is big. As a inshore charter Captain I teach customers that before their 1st cast.
Your call quote
“Just Go FISHIN Man”
it cures all
Capt. Vic
I would Love to put my handties in ya hands !
Send me a pm on Facebook or Instagram. I’d love to try them! Thanks for watching!
HELL YEAH BRANDON!
Let’s go Brandon!!
ABSOLUTELY!!!!
Hell fucking yes
I love the educational style videos like this one! Idk if you’ve done this before but could you do a video about locating crappie on a new body of water using electronics? Thanks, keep it up!
I’ve talked about it a little in some of my past videos but not real in depth. Thanks for the idea and thanks for watching!