Patterns

[Ketchn]

To be sure knowing the fish in your areas and knowing what and when and where will put more fish on your hook . This said this part of the crappie thing is critical to ensure a good ketch rate . So here we go , the local patterns are rearing the sometimes ugly face of pre spawn already . The creek I like to hit is known to slow up in late January and has already begun to fade in numbers and sizes drastically . These fish travel miles to get up in there in the winter and are now marching home to do the spring fling .By super bowl sunday they will be for the most part gone .
I was chatting with SK and another buddy yesterday about another spot we like and told them my photo journals indicate we are going to ketchn spawners sometime in mid to late febuary in that spot. Sure enough another bud posted some photos yesterday at a spot that's VERY similar an hour away and the male black crappie were wearing very heavy color !
So here we go and to be sure remember this , some lakes we frequent don't see signs of the spawn until April and yet others its February .Some lakes have spawns that last for months it seems to me and yet others are done quickly . Shallower water bodies go faster and deeper waters go slowly and to some degree its about water temps and for sure the length of daylight plays a heavy role as well .
Seasonal patterning in your area will help you so far past what color jig is best it isn't even funny . These fish are not bright and feed almost constantly if you can locate them . So reflect on your past and remember what was good where and when and what wasn't and decipher the pattern if possible . Limits of crappie are not always difficult to obtain .
And then btw ...I did ketch a fish worthy of mention in the creek the other day and of course released it to go on its journey and to be sure for it to have made it past the onslaught of anglers up in there hauling out limits everyday for months it amazes me one of this size eluded capture ....
stay tuned and get them float rigs ready yawl ....its about to be float gone bye bye season ....

[Crestliner08]

That is a fine crappie indeed!

[scrat]

Wow! Nice crappie.

[ET Fish]

Nice fish and great insight!

[Retired2Fish]

Good information. Thanks for the post and pic.

[skeetbum]

Good fish there mister.

[ad1974]

Nice one.