Not sure if this thread is still active, but I am a transplant from Louisiana via South Carolina. Been out here for 7+ years now, and was finally able to buy another boat a few weeks back.
In preparing to get back on the Crappie Trail, I have found very sparse info on where, what size, what baits, etc. SO I used what little I could scrounge up, went into areas I thought they would likely be found, and used baits I thought would work. While I have found some success pretty quick, it would still be nice to learn a little more from some of the Old regulars.
I also work with a Local 4-H Fishing Group, and it would also be nice to introduce some of the kids to Crappie fishing in an area where Trout and Salmon fishing is so prevalent.
I have fished Crappie on 5 outings in 3-different Lakes. So far, only Caught at Salt Spring Valley Reservoir (Along the Rocks and drifting to the middle hanging in the 20fw range Jigging a foot off the bottom) and Lake McClure was in the Piney Creek area North of Barrets Cove Launch. Followed Piney creek all the way up until it split, and began fishing from that cove back toward the lake. Jigging 15ft down in 20fw got the best bites.
Salt Spring is ALWAYS hot for Big Slab Crappie. Lake McClure took 2-trips to find a few. While size was a little smaller than at Salt Spring, they were still very respectable in size.
All of my fishing has been with rubber jigs and rubber minnows (Because I can't seem to find Live ones anywhere).
2-inch Gulp Minnows with white or black Jig Heads and Grey/Black curl tail jigs on black or white jig-heads (Black fared a little better).
Hopefully this jump starts the conversation again (I know its 5 years old now), but you can't have all stopped chasing Crappie
~Nothing makes a fish bigger than almost being caught~