Talking with several crappie anglers will yield differing opinions on the best gear, bait and techniques to use when fishing for these fish. While different equipment might work better for each individual angler, all equipment types can work just as effectively for catching these species of fish.
An all-in-one crappie setup requires a 6-1/2 foot medium action rod, spinning reel and 6- to 4-6 pound line.
Casting
Crappie anglers employ various tactics for fishing crappie, but one of the most successful approaches remains the traditional bobber above minnow set method. This low-tech approach works year round if the water temperature allows crappie to stage and pre-spawn in shallow cover.
Early in the spring season, crappie can typically be found between 50 and 65 feet deep. They move in an orderly pattern from midwinter community holes through pre-spawn staging areas before reaching shallower waters to spawning grounds.
Targeting these areas is essential to success, and can be accomplished by watching your fish finder for structure like sunken trees, sharp ledges or brush piles. Trolling can also be an effective method for finding crappie and can prove particularly successful during pre-spawn periods.
Vertical Jigging
Vertical jigging has long been one of the go-to techniques for catching crappie. While this requires practice to master, once an angler knows their lake and how best to fish its structures they can become adept crappie fishers.
When crappie are congregating in deeper water during winter months, this method can be especially successful. Look for manmade structures like docks and piers as well as shoreline cover such as shoreline cypress trees or brush piles; man-made or natural features like drop-offs and ledges could all prove invaluable in finding them.
Small jigs with 4-pound monofilament line are often the go-to baits when employing this approach, although spinner or blade baits may also work. A slow approach is key here as many bites are felt on the bottom; an abrupt hook set could damage an otherwise delicate jaw of an early crappie fishery.
Floating
No matter where your winter fishing adventures may be taking you, adaptability and luck can keep the crappie rods bent! Some anglers prefer sticking with one method and perfecting that technique throughout the season while others find success switching it up depending on conditions they face.
Guide Doug Kloet suggests targeting areas in which minnows hide, such as sloughs or flooded brushpiles, docks covered in moss or weeds, sunken trees, sharp inclines or humps and sunken trees with sharp inclines or humps. You can troll these spots, or throw a soft-bodied jig. Set your lures gently as crappie are known for having papermouths which hard hook sets can rip out.
Weedless Jigs
A weedless jig is specifically designed to keep its hook free of being caught up in brush piles or other structures, as well as reaching deeper waters by reducing weight on its head.
A quality weedless jig should feature a sharp needle hook point to facilitate easy penetration into the mouth of a crappie and an integrated dark red premium hook which triggers its natural feeding response.
Note that crappie strikes can often be quite subtle and felt as an extremely light peck or tick on your bait, making it essential to remain alert for any movement in your line that could indicate a bite and immediately set the hook – this way reducing your chance of missing an important hit!
Minnows
Crappie are highly versatile species that can be caught using different techniques. The key is understanding your lake environment and being willing to try new approaches.
An effective bobber and minnow set can be relied upon throughout the year, and especially during spawning season when crappie are guarding their eggs.
Target transition areas that provide both deep and shallow cover. This may include woody structures such as tree lay-downs, riprap, dock pilings and brush piles as well as rocky inclines and drop-offs that provide both deep and shallow water cover. Rocky inclines and drop-offs may also hold crappie as they move towards their spawning beds during the morning before retreating back out overnight into deeper water – these locations often hold plenty of these finicky fish! Having multiple lures in various colors sizes can help keep them at bay!https://www.youtube.com/embed/_hyo47vgFag