Collection Of Crappie Fishing Tips
From Panfishing Pointers
Where To Find Winter Crappie
Pre-spawn crappie are more difficult to catch during January and mid- February than during late February through late March. January and February crappie generally suspend in creek channels which are filled with very cold water. When I interviewed Tom Mann in the early '80's for my crappie book, he reminded me "These fish are suspended and they are not in really deep water nor are they shallow. These cold water crappie lie near drop-offs and occasionally move in and feed near the stumps and brush. I have found that the schools are loose. They aren't tight schools until they actually move in on stumps or brush." Mann did point out to me that "suspended crappie" will generally be at this certain depth most of the day in a number of key locations on the lake.
Look For Pre-Spawn Crappie In Brush Piles
Look for these fish in brush piles that are covered with 8-15 foot of water. I like to vertical fish these fish like during the pre-spawn period. I will move the jig a little bit more and hold it in place for only a few seconds. In other words, swim the jig, hold a few seconds, and swim the jig again. Never drop your anchor into a brush pile full of crappie unless you want to stop the crappie from hitting your jig.
Summer Crappie Can Be Found In A Comfort Zone
In the summer time during July and August, I will locate crappie in a comfort zone or thermocline. It seems to me that if those fish are presented a lure vertically they can see the lure because of their large eyes. I have had tremendous success putting my lure at nine feet, since the majority of the time these schools are relating to some kind of structure on the point or creek bend. If they are deeper than nine feet, then I will use an ultra-light outfit with a small spoon. Dropping that spoon all the way to the bottom and without any cranking motion on my reel, I will lift and drop the spoon back to the bottom. If their is a crappie in a striking mode, then you are going to catch it.
Line Size Critical To Catching Cold Water Crappie
Line diameter plays a very important role in the ability of anglers to catch crappie, especially during a cold weather. If the water is clear, I will use 4-pound test line, however, if the water is murkier, I will switch to 6-pound test. During this time we were fishing with a modified 9 foot fly rod, so we lost very few jigs. If the jig does hang up, I push the rod tip down in the water and the jig normally free itself with little trouble.
In the summer time during July and August, I will locate crappie in a comfort zone or thermocline. It seems to me that if those fish are presented a lure vertically they can see the lure because of their large eyes. I have had tremendous success putting my lure at nine feet, since the majority of the time these schools are relating to some kind of structure on the point or creek bend. If they are deeper than nine feet, then I will use an ultra-light outfit with a small spoon. Dropping that spoon all the way to the bottom and without any cranking motion on my reel, I will lift and drop the spoon back to the bottom. If their is a crappie in a striking mode, then you are going to catch it.
If You Have Problems Using Monofilament Line On Spinning Reels -
Read This!
One of the toughest things about fishing has nothing to do with casting, lure selection, or setting the hook. Rather, it's in learning the proper way to spool new line onto your reel. Many anglers blame lack of casting accuracy or distance on poor technique, wind, or some other uncontrollable factor.
Often the trouble is caused by either improper loading of the line onto the different types of reels or not loading the reel to the full line capacity. Line twist is the big problem for most anglers who load their own reels. The solution depends on what kind of reel your filling. When filling spin casting or open-faced spinning reels, you must allow for the rotation of the pick-up bail. Place the supply spool on the floor or any flat surface. The line should balloon or spiral off the spool as you pull up.
Thread line through the rod guides, then hold the rod tip three to four feet above the feed spool. Make 15 to 20 turns on the reel handle then stop. Now check for line twist by reducing the tension on the line. Always apply light pressure to the line when spooling any reel. Do this by holding the line between your thumb and forefinger with your free hand.
Finally, fill the reel to within an eighth of an inch from the lip of the reel spool. If you underfill, you'll lose distance and control on your casts. If you overfill, the line may come off the reel in a tangle. One other problem with freshly spooled line is that it tends to "fluff" or push outward on the reel spool. This is because the diameter of the supply spool is usually greater than that of the reel spool. The nylon line has taken a "set" on the factory spool and it tries to return to the same size spirals on your reel.
If you fish almost every weekend, you may want to change your line a least once during the fishing season. However, for most anglers they will not need to change their line during the season. Keep the line out of hot cars and away from the sun's rays. In fact, it is best to keep your rod and reel in the house during the hot/humid days of summer.
timbaker@jal.cc.il.us
shouse@siu.edu
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