Thread: Cranking for Black Crappie

I have caught many black crappie trolling cranks. I have moved to a new lake and 25% of the crappie I have been catching trolling are black crappie.

Don

I would move closer to rocky or gravel banks with shallower running baits like Pico squarebills or Bomber 6A cranks.


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I'm not the greatest crappie guy on the water, but I do know the black crappie tend to be in clearer water. It might be that you have to get the bait farther away from the boat if the water is really clear, so you aren't spooking them; you might have to consider use of planer boards.

Guys, thanks for the replies. Will give it a try.

What lake are we talking about, PJ ?? Reason I ask is the only lake I know of that meets those conditions is Cedar Creek .... and I'm not sure I'd want to try cranks there, unless it's "only" up around the dam area (& out in the middle of the lake). Now, I have caught them there trolling Road Runners, out in the middle of the lake (around the dam) and alongside rows of standing trees ... but, that was years ago & back when it was rare to catch a 9" "keeper" Crappie.

Pappy, I'm referring to Corinth lake. It's not big, but has a long stretch down the middle that I think I could push or even pull some cranks.(Idle speed only lake). The 2019 fishing report says the crappie fishing is poor which is good with me. I've caught quite a few black crappie (about 15-20 per trip) from the bank around the ramp site. Everything I kept was 9-11" with several of 7-8 3/4" range throwbacks. No size limit, but I set mine at 9". I don't think I've caught a White Crappie there this year. I went there this past Sunday afternoon and Monday afternoon. Only two boat trailers at the ramp Sunday, None Monday. Water was a little murky. Most of the time this lake is pretty clear.

Originally Posted by perchjerker108

Pappy, I'm referring to Corinth lake. It's not big, but has a long stretch down the middle that I think I could push or even pull some cranks.(Idle speed only lake). The 2019 fishing report says the crappie fishing is poor which is good with me. I've caught quite a few black crappie (about 15-20 per trip) from the bank around the ramp site. Everything I kept was 9-11" with several of 7-8 3/4" range throwbacks. No size limit, but I set mine at 9". I don't think I've caught a White Crappie there this year. I went there this past Sunday afternoon and Monday afternoon. Only two boat trailers at the ramp Sunday, None Monday. Water was a little murky. Most of the time this lake is pretty clear.

Oh, OK .... I might have to look into fishing that lake. I've never fished it, or any of the other small lakes along I75 up that way ... well, except for Williamstown Lake, but that was nearly 60yrs ago (a few years after it first opened). That was Bluegill fishing with crickets days with my Grandparents, just as a reprieve from Herrington Lake fishing.

Looking on Google Maps : Corinth looks to have most of its banks socked in with moss. I know they've done Shad removal at Corinth a couple of times (2006 & 2013 I think), for the same reason they cited for trying to clear Cedar Creek of Shad (which, unfortunately didn't work). They wanted the Bass & Catfish to be feeding on the small panfish, to keep their numbers in check & their growth rates higher. Have you noticed any Shad schooling at Corinth ?? Is the moss heavy around the banks ??

Pappy, No, have not seen any shad. The Bluegill fishing on this lake is pretty good along with the Shellcrakers when you find them. As far as moss, not that much, but, there is some type of underwater weed that grows out 3-10 feet from the bank, based on the depth of the water. Most Bluegill I find are on the deeper edge of the weed line. Did see a 5-6 lb LM bass that was caught this past Sunday from a guy in a Kayak. Only fish he caught, but it was a nice one. He was paddling with his hands coming to the ramp. Seems his 'metal' oar broke, paddle end part sunk, and he had to paddle with both hands to get back.