| Whether you are new to Crappie fishing, or an avid | | | | completely. The truth is they do not disappear, they |
| fisherman, it never hurts to other opinions and tips from | | | | just change the area in which they frequent. One day |
| both professional and amateur fisherman alike. Some | | | | the crappie may be found in shallow water around |
| fisherman have a habit of finding one certain style of | | | | submerged weeds, and may be schooling in 30 foot |
| fishing, and sticking to it. While doing what makes you | | | | open waters the next. The trick is attracting the more |
| most comfortable may allow you to fish without any | | | | illusive Crappie to your bait. This can be accomplished |
| surprises, many times that style of fishing may now | | | | several ways. |
| work in all situations and conditions. By trying different | | | | 1) Fish slower. Give the Crappie more time to see the |
| things, you may find that you increase your catch. | | | | bait. |
| Fishing for Crappie in Winter | | | | 2) Use bright colored baits. Orange/chartreuse, yellow |
| During the winter, water temperatures can drop below | | | | chartreuse, and green/chartreuse Crappie Pro jig |
| 40 degrees. When the water is this cold, look for | | | | bodies are favorites among professional fisherman. |
| schooling crappie in deeper areas from 18 to 30 feet. | | | | 3) If you are using artificial bait, use bait scents. tip out |
| Most areas water stay below this temperature from | | | | jigs with a piece of minnow or Berkley Crappie Nibbles. |
| late November to early march. Concentrate on sharp | | | | 4) Allow for more bait movement. While moving the |
| bends or points and work both directions with a slow | | | | bait requires more time and energy, it attracts the |
| presentation until you find the right depth and color | | | | Crappie by giving the illusion of live bait. |
| combination. Professional fisherman prefer to start with | | | | Fishing for Crappie in Spring |
| darker colors of red, green, or orange in combinations | | | | Fishing for Crappie during the spring may be the |
| with yellow or chartreuse tails. Pre-tie your rigs and | | | | easiest, because most Crappie are spawning during |
| setup. By having the rigs already tied we can spend | | | | this time. The male Black Crappie construct a large |
| more time fishing, and much less time changing baits. It | | | | nest by fanning out small depressions around the |
| also beats attempting to tie new bait on when the | | | | bottom of brush, various vegetation, rocks, or |
| temperature is low and your fingers are numb. | | | | submerged boulders, in water anywhere from 1 to 5 |
| Fishing for Crappie in Fall | | | | feet deep. The female Black Crappie then come in |
| Fall is literally the hardest time to fish for Crappie. | | | | and lay eggs in the nest. Concentrate on these types |
| During the fall, crappie may seem to disappear | | | | of areas, and keep an open mind. |