Night Fishing for Crappie HELP

[crappieseeker]

In my experiences I have done well just outside the edges of the light. I have also caught crappie well at night when they are running kind of shallow on the sand bars in the river just off the deep drops using a green lighted float. When I use a red float, they dont do nearly as well, I dont know why. I also catch them up closer to the bank at night and when morning nears, they start moving out. Just a little knowledge I learned over the years, good luck.

[edwalden444]

Let me say I'm Sorry, I took Big Zig comments the wrong way. I looking to go night fishing for crappie next weekend and was looking for some help. Thanks for all of the great comments, I'm sure they will help.

[slab_seeker]

edwalden444, if not your sure of where to set up, bridges and creek mouths are good places to start.

[Big Zig]

Let me say I'm Sorry, I took Big Zig comments the wrong way. I looking to go night fishing for crappie next weekend and was looking for some help. Thanks for all of the great comments, I'm sure they will help.

Water is calm buddy - let us know how you do.

[Moose1am]

I just recently (this summer) got interested in doing some night fishing for crappie. So far I have only caught one small crappie night fishing and that was from the bank by the boat dock. I set up my coleman lanterns on each side of the concrete boat ramp and threw out my slip float and jig and caught a few bass and a crappie from the bank.

I have tried fishing with underwater lights several time and have seen shad or other minnows swimming though my lights but have not caught anything yet. anchored only one time though which may be the reason. Even on a calmn summer night a gentle breeze will move the boat away from the spot if you are not solidly anchored. I also failed to bring minnows with me several times and that was a mistake. Also when I did take minnows I didn't use them on plain crappie hooks and put them on my jigs instead. I am sure that I have learned by my mistakes. I have fished from several locations that I know have produced crappies before. There are drop offs with brush piles that I have caught many crappie from all summer long in the daylight hours.

I have tried the Q beam quartz halogen underwater light and a green florescent type light that took a 6oz lead weight to get to sink. 4 oz didn't sink it as it's full of air inside and very bouyant.

Next time I am going to find some shallower water (10ft ) instead of the 26ft water on the end of the drop off. I bet that the crappie go shallower during the night as there is no sunlight to hurt their eyes. Crappie have huge eyes and large pupils and should be able to see well at night and in low light conditions. besides a lot of the food that crappie seek go shallow at night. My mistake may be fishing too deep and not anchoring the boat and using live bait. I will correct all those mistakes next summer.

Things to have for night fishing. Coleman lanters or flashlights. Propane tanks and spares. Lighters. BUG SPRAY with DEET. Two anchors. Some way to hold the lanterns out over the water or on the boat. I made a lantern holder out of PVC Pipe fittings and PVC PIPE. It slips over the boat seat pedistal. Underwater lanterns 12 V DC type. A battery jumper or 12 volt car battery (helps to have two of these) My new battery jumper has a 12v cigarette lighter that I use to plug in my 12v dc lights. This helps prevent the main boat battery from being drained. Minnows are a must for night fishing. Long poles with highly visible fishing line. Some guys use a black light in the boat for night fishing. I don't have one of those yet. One thing that I think is nice to have is a small flashlight that can be mounted on your hat or head.

An I always wear my life jacket when out on the water. I need a better life jacket though.

Let me say I'm Sorry, I took Big Zig comments the wrong way. I looking to go night fishing for crappie next weekend and was looking for some help. Thanks for all of the great comments, I'm sure they will help.

[Slab]

Thanks CP, you're right on. No need to say more.

Edwalden444 ...... there was no reason for the outbreak, language, or personal attack on Zig. You asked for help - and some members replied. It is not uncommon for other, related questions or comments to be tacked onto a post. Their questions and or comments are generally related to the original question or statement - thus expanding the question or comment for the benefit of all readers.

Your "reply/attack" was deleted ... due to being offensive in nature, and uncalled for.

You're new to the board - so this is just a warning ... but, any followup attacks or continued use of abusive or profane language will result in your being barred from this site.