Targeting crappie in about 40 degree water

[bustter4]

fished quarry lakes in Maysville nc for the first time today. Caught one small one. I was fishing some ledges in about 25 to 30 ft of water. water temp was between 40 and 42 degrees. does anyone have any tips on where to find the fish in those conditions thanks.

[EARL KITCHENS]

bustter4, What kind of electronics do you have? When we find where the fish are holding we drop a marker buoy on that spot and drop a minnow to the depth they are holding. Sometime you have to put it in their face a long time. Hope this helps. We have also caught them jigging with small spoons in deep water.

[Redge]

What is the max depth in the quarry?

[bustter4]

I have a 600 series humminbird without down imaging. The max depth is about 30 to 35 feet

[Redge]

Earl has given some good advice about holding it in there face for a long time! I would think you could find them on some type of structure in the 30' range or so. Even one lone rock that sticks off the bottom will hold them sometimes. Ledges are good also.

[Clear Solution]

Fish deep, fish slow.

when I find them in cold water, I will beat on them 30-45 minutes before moving on.

[NIMROD]

Depends on the water you fish and weather. I have seen them in some pitts as deep as 50' on the bottom and here I see them caught on lakes in 20 ft + water 2' deep at times.

[topcop]

Buster, Have you ever tried River Bend, it is just up the road from you before New Bern, I put in at the ramp and fish around the Water Source heat pump outlets. You will see them flowing into the creek. You don't have to go far from the ramp, it's also deep water at the Marina. Go through the culvert and you will find the water some times as much as 5 deg. warmer. I Plan on being there Saturday. I live in Cape Carteret.

[bustter4]

Topcop. I'm not familiar with that area. I live In maysville.

[SlabSlayer60]

I read a good article on this forum "Crappie by degrees". Do A search for it and it will give you some ideas of where to start.