Crappie fish are a lot of fun to catch and great eating, too. Spring is when they bed and this is the best time to catch a lot of them and many people fill up their freezers when the crappie move into the shallows. Crappie is the most frequently caught species of fish. They are easier to find and catch than other fish because they stay near protective cover and travel in schools.
Crappie fishing is most productive in winter and early spring with good numbers of legal-size fish available for harvest. When fishing for crappie during this time it means that it will be easier to catch them. Other times of the year can be as good, if you understand how a crappie lives.
After finding your location, a lake, river or pond, you need to determine the spot you are going to be fishing at. When fishing for crappie in the spring look for them among snags in the river. Fish the brush-piles and standing timber on a lake, this is where crappies concentrate. Work the drop-offs and break lines, where the water goes from shallow to deep. Look for them near shores, aquatic vegetation, as close as 10 to 20 feet out and fish these areas thoroughly.
When fishing for crappie with conventional tackle (aka, not fly fishing), keep in mind that they are not monsters. Very light tackle is the order of the day. Remember that crappie can see colors easily thus it is wise to use colorful lures during fishing. Since the water filters colors out of light, water differs in color in varying depths.
Use white, yellow, or silver and red micro jigs, light lines of 4-6 pound test, and light action rods. Use minnows, shiners, or shad, two to three inches long. Crappie will hit small rapalas, or Broken Backs, however, the most popular lure is a 1/8th ounce lead head jig with a rubber or marabou skirt. Jigs are preferred by most anglers. Jig and twister combinations or jigs tipped with minnows work best fished just above the bottom.
Spinner baits are an excellent change of pace when fishing for crappie. When we start thinking of crappie fishing most anglers assume we are going to talk about the use of jigs or live baits. However spinner baits are better fished slowly for crappie. Start very slow and increase your retrieve until you get the right speed for your particular surroundings.
When crappie fishing, keep your bait or lure moving ever so slightly at all times. Crappie hit very lightly and they have a mouth like paper. So you simply can not set the hook like you would when fishing for bass, catfish, or other types of fish. Always remember to set the hook gently.
Anglers who jerk to set the hook will lose the tender-mouthed fish, especially the bigger and heavier ones. Just in case you've hook a really big crappie, it'll be wise always to keep a long-handled landing net close at hand.
We have all heard people say that patience pays when fishing. Unfortunately that is not correct when fishing for crappie. Or I should say that when you find a school of them you will not be able to keep your hook baited fast enough.
Happy Fishing!
