Crappie Fishing Methods

If you have ever fished for crappie before then you understand the first thing that must be done is locating the fish. Many times people will spend very little time with locating fish, and most of their time with presentation.

If you have not fished for crappie before then this should be your first lesson learned.

This can be done easier in the spring during the crappie spawning period and more difficult as the season's progress.

Look for the fish to be in shallow waters around lily pads, reeds, submerged trees or early weed growth. Let us begin by showing two effective tackle setups to catch crappie during the spring spawn.

These two effective ways to catch crappie for beginners are also the simplest - You will only need the basic fishing items such as a hook, split shot and spring type float , rod can be anything from a cane pole, telescopic rod, or full rod and reel combo of your choice.

#1 - Connect the hook by inserting the line thru the hook eye, twist the line around itself seven times, then run end back thru loop created at the hooks eye and pull up tight. Pinch split shot onto line about three to four inches above hook. The last step is to attach the float at a depth desired, normally one to three feet during the spawn. The best crappie bait seems to be minnows at this time of year.
I hook the minnow lightly below the top fin to present it in a normal swimming position.

#2 - This method uses a one-inch float - round or oval - and a 1/32 ounce jig designed for small tube baits. Attach your jig head using method previously described. The float is attached on your line at a shallow depth in the area you have located spawning fish. There are many colors of tube jigs 1.5 inch available for using on this setup. It may be to your advantage to check the local bait shops for the best colors to use.

These methods although are basic should help you to obtain a tasty meal .

When your skills have advanced beyond using the above methods, then you might like to check out addition and more advanced crappie fishing methods as listed here.

The first thing of course is to locate spawning areas before you can start catching crappie. I would assume you have done this already, but if not start by looking for shallow shoreline weeds, reeds, or stick ups from tree limbs for a good starting point.

Your boat should be parked at least 10 feet away from these hot spots. Crappie have large eyes and normally can see very well, so don't crowd them or they will spook.

This is where its time to break out the 13 foot or longer telescopic rod.
I personally attach a #6 hook, single split shot and a one inch float to this setup.

Now the fun begins, bait with a minnow and drop it right in any pocket of structure with the spawning fish.

One other point I find very helpful during this time is a good set of polarized sun glasses. The amber shade has been my best for spotting fish in the clear waters.

This can be one of the great crappie fishing methods during the spawn. When the season proceeds into summer the using of this type of rod is not very effective under most conditions.

This method was taught to me many years ago by Mr. Mick Thill. I'm sure you are aware of his products.

Start with a long stemmed float, add your hook, then weight with split shot until only the tip (normally red or yellow or both) is showing above the surface of the water. A very small portion of the float will be visible at this time.

You will find this works well in calm conditions when fish are not overly aggressive. The beauty of this arrangement is you can detect a bite if the float goes up or down. You will see the bite when the fish picks up your bait which removes some resistance and your float goes up. We all know the answer when it goes down. Right?

Some states allow trolling and others do not so check your local regulations first. This method is how to catch crappie when you are allowed trolling, and when the water starts warming in early spring.

There are three important things to consider when you are trolling for crappie, they are speed of boat, the diameter of your line and the size of the crappie lures used.

This method allows for coverage of large areas of water for quicker location of the crappie. Once located your fun begins.

This tip I have used fishing for crappie with much success over the years.
Just attach a one-inch float or a small spring float, a 1/32 ounce jig head with a tube jig at depths just above the weeds.

Make a long cast and retrieve over the weed bed slowly. Crappie have good sight and normally feed in an upwardly direction under these conditions.

You may have to try many different colors of tubes to find the most effective. My favorite colors are pink/white and red/white in clear water conditions and dark colors in stained waters.

If there is a slight wind you should allow it to move the bait across the top of the weeds to cover a large area. This is a very effective way of finding fish even when the water is very warm during the summer.

The small float can be taken under by the smallest of fish ,so the key is to feel the fish resistance on the line then set the hook.

I hope this information provided about fishing crappie methods helps to provide you entertainment and showed you how to catch more crappie for them tasteful meals.

The rig consist of three lines - one down the center and two extended to the sides with hooks or a single line as shown. The line has a snap swivel to connect a bell weight. The hooks are normally size #4, #6 or #8. These rigs are available from many tackle suppliers and local tackle shops.

You can prefab them yourself once you have seen the arrangement. There are slightly different styles available also.

This method works well in large lakes with deeper water when the fish are suspended near the bottom.
A condition often found in the fall months.

These dual hook rigs have been known to work well all year in lakes such as Kentucky Lake and similar bodies of water.

Attracting Fish With Floating Lights -

Check State Fishing Regulations prior to using this method for night fishing of crappies.

Place the floating light on the water which will attract minnows and insects to the light area after a few minutes. This bait will then attract larger fish to the area.

Place your line with baited crappie baits and lures with similar type food in the outer edges of the lighted attractor. This method shows a good way to show how to catch crappie at night. Stand bye for action.

Crappie World Magazine

Crappie World is the only magazine published covering America's favorite pan fish. It will help you to catch more crappie by becoming more education on this subject.

This magazine is directly aimed at anglers of all ages to catch nice crappie as pictured.

This Crappie magazine provides basic 'how to' articles to "advanced " that help readers catch more crappie.

One of the other places you often will find crappies is around downed trees or brush piles in the water. These are easy to locate around shorelines.

A good fish locator will help you to find this type of structure in the deeper waters.

I have found them many times near the base of a beaver house as well. Wood is GOOD.

So do not overlook these sites any longer.

The fly rod can be a very effective method of catching crappie.

The early Spring fishing is the best time to try your skills with a fly rod. Try using a fly that is weighted and appears like a minnow. Something white in color has worked well for me.

This method also works well with small shiny lures that have a flickering motion.

Crappie tend to feed while looking upward, so at times of heavy feeding activity surface poppers will work. Work the edge of weed beds, reed beds when the fish are in shallow waters.

While fishing crappie with these methods you just caught the biggest one you have ever seen.

Could it be a state crappie record? If you think it could be, then keep it alive and find a certified scale to have its weight recorded. Grocery stores and some bait shops have these type of scales. Get the length measurements, and take pictures for later reference.

Your States Department of Natural Resources should be able to provide you with the record information.

If you have the record for white crappie or black crappie then be sure to get in the Freshwater Fishing Hall Of Fame

As you gain the knowledge you need from being a novice to an advanced crappie expert it will become very important to learn the different seasonal patterns. The more education you obtain about your local lake structure, type of cover available for fish, food sources and water conditions. Crappie that have been tagged have been found to move from location to location as far as four miles away or more.

Crappie fishing can be a year round sport by learning these different season patterns. Start with Spring then progress as the seasons pass.

This of course will vary based on the location where you live. Simple common sense prevails based on the geographic area you live.

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