Trying to catch crappie

[KMC189]

I have had rough luck catching crappie for a while at a local lake. The place is Contra Loma in Antioch, California. Its a man made lake that is drinking water. Its not very big and i am not sure on the depth. Here is a over view of the place. http://www.usbr.gov/dataweb/dams/ima...tralomdm1b.jpg

Anyway the water is dirty, maybe a foot visibility. And the water level fluctuates. Right now it is low, and I am having troubles catching crappie. I usually catch over 25 every time I go there. Most over the 13 inches. But now the spots I catch at aren't producing. I am going in the morning tomorrow and see if the morning helps any. I have been using chartreuse and yellow hair jigs with nibbles. Thanks in advance.

[fish-wva]

i had the same problem with my home lake in eastern ky. then i started fishing at night and i can now go out and catch 60 or more a night

[KMC189]

Well the place is a state park, so it closes at 9 pm. So I would have to walk out of the park. Other wise if I had a car in there, I would have to leave at 9.

[laddybug3]

I had the same problem this is what I did I want out at 7pm and till 9 pm. I caught like 5 crappie and 4 gills 2 sunfish. I used a jig and wax worms. I also used some minnows. Also try in the morning too

I hope this helps and good luck fishing

[jlaughlin72]

If you are fishing it from a boat, Try to find the deeper water, with the heat of summer, i always seem to find them in deeper water (if oxygen is there for them). In my oppinion, They like the cooler water, therefore I would try deeper.
If you are bank fishing, I would recomend trying to find shady areas to fish in, crappie like to be hidden from the elements and this shade gives them the security they are looking for. Also around any brush that may be in there.

[KMC189]

Alright thanks. Right now I am fishing from the bank, but soon I will have a aluminum boat to use since my Grandpa is giving me his.

[FishingDog]

Hey fish-wva, witch home lake are you on????:D

[fishman247]

try an "all nighter" being the gates close

[chaunc]

With the water being dirty you may need help with the fish seeing your bait. Microspoons has a new spinner spoon that displaces water and creates a vibration that the fish can hone in on. I used em today in dingy water and had a good time catching crappie and gills. Might be worth a try. Contact Crappieday and he'll hook you up.

[KMC189]

Alright thanks! That water looks like the water in Contra Loma.