Pre-spawn crappies teach us how to fish for all species. They require stealth, patience, ability to read the water, sound knowledge of the species and in general provide an apprenticeship to all fishing. The early season crappie angler needs to pinpoint their hideouts and hone his tactics to match the fast changing conditions present.
In fall and winter crappie move to very deep water but as it begins to warm they can be found in the creek beds. They use the creek channels for movement to and from the shallows where they feed.
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The crappie feed according to weather and barometric pressure changes. The changes cause fish to move tight to cover and become inactive. The smart angler will look for warmer water. In doing so they can seek out colored water, a windward shoreline, a dark soft bottom, shallow water, tributary streams and heat absorbing cover such as wood.
Early season crappie will be shallower on dark, warm days and deeper on clearer, colder days. High water is common and the fish will often move up into the temporarily flooded vegetation. Wise anglers check a variety of depth zones and never leave out checking oddball locations.
Jigs are the most popular crappie lures. They have no action of their own. The angler provides all the action by line movement. To enhance action, use a small sinker and tie it on the end of the line. It will allow the jig to move freely and permits it to rest in a semi-vertical position. Continue reading ………….
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