DATE: Sunday, April 20, 1997                TAG: 9704190930

SECTION: SPORTS                  PAGE: C15  EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE:    - BOB HUTCHINSON

LENGTH: 33 lines

OUTDOOR TIP

Here's some tips on fishing for crappie, passed on by the Hampton Roads crappie guru, Carl Herring of Suffolk:

When crappie are in shallow water, especially when they're feeding within a few feet of the surface, Herring warns, your approach much be as silent as possible. Otherwise, you can spook an entire school of fish.

``I like to use a long fiberglass pole, sometimes as much as 20 feet, to keep away from the fish,'' he said. ``And I like light line. If the water is real clear, I may go down to as little as two- or four-pound-test monofilament.

``You have to be very careful how your offering is presented. Regardless of what you're using, and I prefer artificials, it should be presented as carefully, quietly and naturally as possible.''

Herring also prefers to fish for crappie in water that is slightly discolored.

``Obviously, if the water is too muddy you're not going to get strikes. In fact, the fish can move out of a muddy area and into something that's cleaner.

``But if the water is just slightly stained, you can get fairly close to them. If the water is real clear, the fish can see you from a good distance and even if you don't spook them, your presence may get them out of the feeding mood.'' MEMO: Do you have an outdoor tip worth sharing? Mail it to: Bob

Hutchinson, The Virginian-Pilot, 150 West Brambleton Ave., Norfolk, Va.

23510, or call 446-2342.

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