Fluctuating Water Levels

[Crestliner08]

In prep for Sandy, several local flood control ponds (connected by dams & channels) have been lowered (about 3' - 4') and are now back on the rise - about a foot below full pool levels. Sandy didn't hit us very bad at all up here in MA, but this fluctuating water level has sure put the crappie off! I've tried deep and shallow areas (which were previously very productive). I've tried curly tails, tubes, straight tails and even two 1/32 oz. marabou jigs suspended under a float. Nada! Water temps are in the low to mid 50's. Water is stained, but not muddy.

Guess I'm just going to have to give them time to "re-settle" back in, before the bite improves! Unless some of you might have some suggestions? (BTW, I do not use live bait.)

[river scum]

old stand by is live minnows.

are you juicing up your plastics, with sent, at all? also make long pauses, dead still, when jigging. lots of times thats when they will take a taste. crappie are some of the most fickle fish when it comes to weather, for sure. im sure the preasure changes, in your area lately,did some funky things to them.

[Crestliner08]

Thanks for the response river scum. I tried dangling a couple of marabou jigs below a bobber. Even in winter this usually works. I'm kinda handicapping myself though, as I don't use live bait. I've got nothing against live bait, I just prefer to fool 'em with something artificial is all. I'm a catch n' release guy too (as I prefer to eat ocean fish).

Hit two spots today and managed only 2 small crappie. I think they're starting to adjust to the extreme barometric pressure shifts. Going to give it another whirl tomorrow. Thanks again for a reply.