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

[StronkKnight]

Hello, I've caught a "slab"(according to my friend) of a crappie once the first time I went fishing, but I have no clue how to specifically fish for them, I was using a big finesse worm then. I got a whole bunch of spinning rods so im fine on those but for lures, I don't know what to use. Been seeing people have success with a 1/8th oz jighead and some gulp minnows, either the largest size of second to largest size. I've also seen people have success with actual crappie jigs with the hair, fluffy parts, and all that stuff. I've been trying to watch videos to help me locate where they would be but everbody has that dang sonar. I'm getting a kayak soon so that might help with crappie fishing and fishing in general. Can someone please help me figure out what to use/where to look? Thanks.

[SuperDave336]

Most of us use small crappie jigs or minnows. Sizes like 1/32, 1/16 and 1/8 oz are normal. Other baits work too like crank baits, small spinners, etc. As for where to fish that can be tricky but I’d start with structure like brushpiles, lay downs, bridge columns, docks etc. Look for points or areas of transition. Easy stuff to see and reach from the bank. Lots of good information here and in this forum is a great place to start. Beginners n Mentoring Forum.

[6poundtest]

Can you describe what you're doing now? And what tackle you might have on hand so we can see how you're starting out. Guessing you were bass fishing with the finesse worm, have any smaller grub type lures, maybe with a twister tail? Maybe post a picture of some of your smaller lures and I'm sure we can help get you started.

[DockShootinJack]

Lots of great information here. Lots of friendly and knowledgeable folks that don't mind helping here also

[StronkKnight]

I'll send pictures of what I got to work with when I get back but I have a whole bunch of small mister twisters along with some normal sized curly tail grubs. All I really got in terms of small plastics. Also got a few less than an inch long floating crankbaits. What I'm doing now is just casting under cover with a curly tail on a 1/8th jighead (same curly tail I was just talking about). Nothing yet.

[BuckeyeCrappie]

Road Runners are great for cast and retrieve. Super Dave’s post is full of great suggestions. Personally I use a lighter jig head 1/16th. Here is a great article on vertical casting. https://www.crappie.com/crappie/main...-crappiepappy/

[StronkKnight]

Oh and quick question. Will a medium action rod be fine for now? I know it might be a little hard to detect the bites, but still. And if I get a lighter rod specifically for crappie should I get one of those really long jig poles? Theres one basspro's website for 15 bucks and it has pretty nice reviews, but the price makes me think its cheaply made. Oh and if I end up just getting a pole no combo, any reccomended reels for that?

[CrappiePappy]

Oh and quick question. Will a medium action rod be fine for now? I know it might be a little hard to detect the bites, but still. And if I get a lighter rod specifically for crappie should I get one of those really long jig poles? Theres one basspro's website for 15 bucks and it has pretty nice reviews, but the price makes me think its cheaply made. Oh and if I end up just getting a pole no combo, any reccomended reels for that?

If you're casting a Road Runner ... you'll want to keep the bait coming back to you at a steady pace & constant depth.
If you're casting a jig (hair or plastic with no "action") you'll want to slowly retrieve it & watch your line for any "tics" (jumps) or instant slack (& you know your jig isn't on bottom) and set the hook (whether you feel anything or not).
If you're casting a jig w/plastics that have "action" built in their shape (curly tail - boot tail) you'll want to keep the bait coming back to you, just like if you're using a Road Runner.

I wouldn't worry too much, right now, about getting new rods/reels ... and focus on your presentation. Keeping the bait at a constant depth, & speed ... learning to detect a lite bite ... being a line watcher ... talking with anglers you see on the lake & complimenting their catch success, and asking them what they caught them on ( but, NOT "where" they caught them). If you're observant, you may not even have to ask what they were using, as you can see what's on their rods (or if they have minnow buckets).

As Fall approaches ... Crappie will be following the baitfish back into the creeks, as they begin to feed up for the upcoming Winter months & the Spring spawn. Some will follow the baitfish into & then out of the creeks, while others will simply station themselves around cover that's inline with the pathway of the wandering baitfish & set up there as an ambush point.

I'd say most of us "older" fellers probably started Crappie fishing with minnows, either straight down over the side of a boat or under a float (from a boat or the bank). And there's not a thing wrong with that method. It's worked for centuries, and still does.

[6poundtest]

Perhaps you need the 1/8 oz. head for casting but in my opinion it's on the heavy side. I don't fish from shore and I prefer 1/32 and 1/16 oz. heads. If fishing under a float, I'm sure the 1/8 oz. would be fine. Light line on your current rod would be fine. Road runners are good lures; I use them often. I agree with them opinion that they are good cast and retrieve lures, particularly with a small plastic threaded on.

[funbun]

You're certainly about to hit on the right time of year.