No clue how to start fishing for crappie but determined to catch one soon

[deke95]

On one lake that I fish, we catch many fish, and our best fish by “tight lining” right on the bottom That is, casting a 1/16 curly tail jig, with a larger size split shot crimped on about 18 inches above the jig. You might have heard that crappie “only feed up”, but the truth is that crappie feed up, down, and every other way. It just depends on where they are, up in trees, or on the bottom, or suspended in open water before they run in for the spawn. Try everything to see what works on your lake or pond.

On this particular lake, during the spring, the fish are suspended in open water until the water temp reaches about 65 degrees or so, and then they start cruising into shallow water like so many silent jet squadrons! . . it’s exciting to watch it happen !

Get to know their movements on your lake!

On a tight line retrieve, just cast out, let it sink to the bottom, and SLOWLY inch it (drag it) back in. The bite will be a very soft tugging. Do not strike hard, a firm pulling back on your rod is all that’s needed, and you will have him hooked.
Most of us in my group, use a chartreuse Arkie curly tail jig, with an orange head, but many, many other jigs work as well.

Of course, we also use the same jigs under a bobber when the fish are cruising up in the water column.

I’ve even made mini A-rigs (see California rigs) out of very thin stainless steel wire, (and used under a bobber) with small jigs tied to monofilament droppers, and caught them two at a time.

Just don’t give up, and you will figure out what works on your lake!!