Crappie minnows

[Tyme2fish]

Generally speaking, I hook my minnows "behind" the eyeballs when using a plain hook. I do so, so as to allow the hook deeper access to the fish's mouth when they're biting slow or tentively. I don't poke the hook point thru the eyeballs, since that deflates them & opens up a big gap, allowing the hook to come out easily. I gently run the hook point behind the eyeball, popping the point thru the membrane and out behind the other eyeball. This method also allows me to present the minnow a little faster ... either getting it down to depths, or casting it out ... with less chance of pulling the hook free (ie - pulling/slinging the minnow off).



... pappy

I think I understand what you're saying. You push the hook point through the eye socket just behind the actual eyeball? That's the method I try to use. All other methods seem to kill the minnow much faster. Thanks for the detailed reply.

[killroy1221]

I have to say lip hook em. I use a smaller hook like a four or six with small minnows. If your minnows have any size to them, I would hook them up through the top lip and not through the bottom. They will live much, much longer. It also allows for the only "natural" presentation in the water. Have you ever seen a dorsal or tail hooked fish swim? I've seen crappie stare at them and make jokes. Insensitive if you ask me. They have no compassion for a fellow fish in peril. If you hook them up through the top lip and out through one of those nostril holes then it will hold and take quite a bit of abuse. A small hook might just land you some slab bluegill too and won't hurt your hookup ratio.

[smashdn]

On a jig or trolling through the lips.

On a hook under a bobber or KY lake rig behind the dorsal.

[artcarney_agr]

I always lip hook them. Been doing that for many many years. Go from the bottom lip, then up through the top lip. Works just fine.

The only time I'll hook one behind the dorsal is when it's of decent size, and I'm targeting bass.

For catfish, I'll run it through the eyes and then hook the minnow right in the side, hiding the hook point and all. Catfish love dead crappie minnows.

[sweetwater]

In one eye socket and out the other, it sounds cruel but they seem to live a long time.

[King31]

In one eye socket and out the other, it sounds cruel but they seem to live a long time.

agreed ^^ been doing that for a long time. if the crappie are biting it really doesnt matter where you hook them!