Thread: Spring Crappie and Water Temps

I was going to post this as a reply to DHO in the Midwest Crappie Show Reelfoot thread, but thought I start a new one instead.

I have a question for DHO, EB or anyone else who would like to throw their 2 cents in...

My question is, at what temp do you see the slabs start moving into the shallow water in numbers?

It seemed to me like Todd was saying that the Moon phase had more to do with it than temps (the actual spawn), but it has been my experience (which is very limited btw) that when the water temps start reaching 55 or so, then you'll start finding some Crappie in the shallows (meaning 2 foot or less).

I haven't seen shad in the shallows in the last two days and I've had water temps in the 44 to 48 degree range. I caught and kept 6 of those green Carp thingies at Ft. Gibson yesterday fishing boat docks in 6 to 8 fow and none had shad in their stomachs. They had a few minnows and crawdads.

I'd like to hear your thoughts on water temps and at what temp they'll start heading shallow (crappie or shad).

Don

Don Gibson isnt going to be as good as Eufaula however this time of year they you always hear report from way up north in the creeks there. Right now with these warm days they should be catching in the creek channels around 8 footish or little deeper I took my 6 year old to a pond today and he caught 5 on jig and cork around foot or so deep so I know from that from the last few years that the catching will soon happen personally I like to spiderrig them in the creek channels or rip rap 5-8 foot deep then switch to one pole and ripp them shallow after that

I usually start fishing in the late winter/early sping when there has been about a week of stable warm weather. I've had fair to good fishing usually later in the day. From the fishing notes I've taken since 1988, warm stable weather with rising water temps starting around 55 degrees seemed to be the best time for catching more active Crappie. Just my.02 cents.

Don, I think long deep creeks hold fish all year. Last year the day we caught them also happened to be right around the full moon. I think it was a combination of warm water and the full moon. I don't know if the fish were up trying to spawn or just moving up to feed. The shallow bite in March is a whole lot more hit and miss than say April, but if you hit it right it can be terriffic. Another day last year during the 3rd week of March I caught a bunch on the north end of Eufaula wading. The same day 2 different buddies of mine killed them on the south end in shallow water. I went back to the same place 3-4 days later after a cold front and caught 3 fish total. In April the cold fronts don't seem to affect the shallow bite as much as it does in March. In April they are up close to the banks for biological purposes and not much is going to stop them. Hope this helps. I learn everytime I go out.

Odie

Thanks Guys, your thoughts are along the lines of what I was thinking also.

George, the only reason I fish Gibson is because it's so darn close. It's quick and easy for me. I know the quality of Gibson and the Nav channel won't be that of Eufaula, but the trade off is that it's way closer...unless of course they're killing them at Eufaula...lol!

Odie, I've heard the same theory that creek fish stay in the creeks year round from EB and Todd. Once you think about it, it makes sense to me.

Thanks everyone for sharing your thoughts.

I'm headed out tomorrow with a buddy. We're going to hit Eufaula...someplace...we haven't decided where just yet!

Don

Originally Posted by OkieDon

I was going to post this as a reply to DHO in the Midwest Crappie Show Reelfoot thread, but thought I start a new one instead.

I have a question for DHO, EB or anyone else who would like to throw their 2 cents in...

My question is, at what temp do you see the slabs start moving into the shallow water in numbers?

It seemed to me like Todd was saying that the Moon phase had more to do with it than temps (the actual spawn), but it has been my experience (which is very limited btw) that when the water temps start reaching 55 or so, then you'll start finding some Crappie in the shallows (meaning 2 foot or less).

I haven't seen shad in the shallows in the last two days and I've had water temps in the 44 to 48 degree range. I caught and kept 6 of those green Carp thingies at Ft. Gibson yesterday fishing boat docks in 6 to 8 fow and none had shad in their stomachs. They had a few minnows and crawdads.

I'd like to hear your thoughts on water temps and at what temp they'll start heading shallow (crappie or shad).

Don

todd is right about the moon phase, butt water temps play a major roll also. you will have your older fish spawn first. then you will have another spawn when the second moon build's up. 5 days or so before the full moon will be the best. water temps are around 64 the first wave, then 68-72 the second wave. remeber clear water go deep, dirty water go shallow.

FWIW,
I have been catching shad in a cove around boat docks that averages 5ft deep. I don't know what the water temp is because we throw cast nets from the dock. This past Saturday I caught several crappie for the first time this winter in my throw net, and no, I didn't keep any of them. I caught some nice blues with the shad though. I do know that the water temp on Hudson was 42.

Rising water = the first run to the bank by the males, and yes the moon phases do trigger these. Try shallow early or miss the first run by the big boys, start out casting cork/jig to find them then get on e'm. I'm going to try wadin at night for the first time this year with the new Mo-Glo jigs.....probly wont have anyone around?

Leland,

When you say try shallows early, are you saying early in the year (as of now) or early in the day? I'm assuming you mean early in the year, but a person can never be sure...lol

BTW, last week I fished Ft. Gibson and was flipping a jig and cork around boat houses and got into some nice Bass. I was using the rod I bought from you and I OWNED those Bass with that rod. I took home six. The two biggest were 3lbs 10oz, 3lb 2oz and the rest were around 2.5 lbs. Love that rod!

Also, I'm thinking about making another trip down tomorrow (Tuesday). What effect do you think this rain will have on the fish? It's suppose to be P. Cloudy and 68 in the area tomorrow.

Don; The rain wont bother them, the wind is howling now. I mean early in the year as the big males tend to start fanning beds earlier than we think. You have to be patient if you miss them fish shallow often as they tend to come & go. In March evenings before dark are usually best.