The seemingly endless varieties of crappie fishing presentations produce good fishing in the Prairie State. Here are some to help you boat more crappies this year. Early season crappie fishing is highly dependent upon weather conditions in Illinois. In the southern areas, water warms sooner on average. Warming water stimulates crappie activity. The unusually warm 2011 surprised anglers when the crappie became more active earlier than normal. A lack of water due to low winter snowfall resulted in reduced levels in lakes.
March’s passing weather fronts also change crappie activity by affecting water temperatures. A few blasts of cold weather can stall normal fish activity this time of year. March crappie anglers need to be aware of the weather to gage fish activity.
Generally the further south you go the more likely you are to find fish moving into shallows and feeding hard prior to spawning. A passing thunderstorm can scatter them making the angler have to work harder. Between storms begin your exploration shallow and move to deeper water. The larger fish will probably be in deeper water.
Fish locating electronics are helpful in finding fish in deeper water. The new side imaging units are popular as they give three-dimensional views of sub-surface water. Structure and suspended fish are visible.
Fickled March crappie activity may require flexibility in technique and tackle. To that end here are some choices.
SLIP BOBBERING is probably the most popular fishing technique for crappie. A small knot is placed on the line above a hook and bobber to prevent the bobber from sliding up the line. It keeps the hook and sinker from moving too deeply in the water. The line goes through the bobber and a hook tied at the end. A split shot sinker aids the bait in sinking to the desired depth.
The bobber slides up and down the line from the knot to the sinker. By moving the knot location, you control the depth of the bait presentation.
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