| Crappie fishing in winter can be a daunting challenge | | | | structure they can find, so choose a bait that will be |
| but cheer up there is help. Super crappie fishing really | | | | found in shelter they are hiding in. Most waters will get |
| begins after the ice is long gone in the spring but its | | | | a little clearer when they ice over. When this happens |
| cold now and we are hungry for that clean white | | | | use smaller jigs. |
| morsel of meat. | | | | I would also suggest using really light colors on the jig |
| So you ask how to catch the little guys and how to | | | | like yellows and whites. Some of the smaller plastics |
| get that pan fish in your pan and when ice fishing there | | | | seem to work well for me I like to use smaller grubs or |
| are only a few key items to consider: bait, location and | | | | tubes. When I know the water is clear I start with |
| ice. | | | | white or very light colors and work towards darker |
| When it is cold the fish are slower and their hunting | | | | colors. But as the visibility of the water changes go |
| patterns change. Do not forget this - EVER. We are | | | | with a color that is only slightly lighter. |
| not much different, we like our ice cream in the | | | | Remember most bait fish or insects are really trying to |
| summer and chili in winter. Keep this in mind when | | | | blend in to the background so you want to stand out |
| fishing in any water temperature. Use fast baits in | | | | just a little bit more. It really is not that hard when the |
| warmer waters and slower baits in colder waters. | | | | waters are green use a slightly lighter green jig. But if |
| When the waters are cooler and sometimes frozen | | | | the waters or currents are really active use a stiff |
| everything below the surface moves slower so when | | | | plastic jig and if the waters are still use a feathered jig |
| choosing jigs pick ones that move slower, this means | | | | because they will look more lively. |
| lighter weight too as it will not sink so fast. Many of the | | | | Another good trick is to use a light colored body with a |
| plastic jigs will move smoothly through the water, this is | | | | medium contrasting head. For example use a yellow |
| a great advantage in the spring months, but not so | | | | grub with a red head or reverse it. But I've haven had |
| much in the colder waters. | | | | a lot of success using opposite colors like red with |
| Feathered jigs once wet will also smooth out and | | | | green. |
| move quickly through the water but an artificial feather | | | | I know we do not carry a color wheel, although it might |
| sometimes will fall slower than most plastics. Do not | | | | help, in our tackle box but if the color combination |
| forget either that plastics will get stiffer when they get | | | | seems unnatural chances are the crappie might think |
| colder and this is part of the reason that smaller jigs | | | | so as well. You can use opposite colors if there is a |
| work well in the colder waters. | | | | gradient between the colors. Just avoid sharp |
| When the water temperatures drop below 50 | | | | contrasting colors as these do not appear readily in |
| degrees crappie will seek shelter in almost any | | | | nature. |