Fishing Blind (Almost)

[Don Fischer]

I'm on my second fish finder and haven't a clue what I'm looking at with them! I always turn it on, supposed to be on. Then I seldom ever look at it! I've watched a few video's on working them but totally lost what they were talking about. So new at crappie and simply look for what I can see above water. Mostly weed lines and bush's growing out of the water. Always seem to find fish near them. Have caught two fishing for bass in a lot more open water but wouldn't recognize it again! Wish I could understand that fish finder. Thing show's two different water depth's at the same time. one really deep and one shallow. This has to be my last fish finder! Spendy gadget's that don't help me a bit!

I have found one way to tell if I'm into fish. There's one on the end of my line!

[Ketchn]

Bait dimples on the surface and cover on the bottom or vertical cover is typically what I look for .
Lots of dots around the cover is likely crappie .
All lakes are different though and sometimes just a steep drop off along a channel will hold fish on its edges .

[Crestliner08]

I look for bait ,structure, and the fish also. The best sonar is no good if you don't know how to use it and you must trust what you are seeing on sonar also. Time spent on the water fishing is the best way to learn
Remember this just because you don't catch them today don't mean you can't catch them tomorrow. If you are not comfortable fishing with artificial baits minnows will always work good. Watching videos such as Richard Gene the fishing machine on you tube will help also. Don't forget the slabsauce sold on here made by Slab aka Ed Moes

Excellent advice. Learn your electronics and TRUST what you see. Never look specifically for fish, rather target finding bait on or near structure. Can't go wrong!

[Sickle Hook]

My best advice is use the side scan on that garmin and key in on docks with alot overhead cover(the darker the shade the better). Scan those docks
to see which ones hold crappie. Learn how to shoot or skip you jig under the docks and your on the right road. During the spawn some crappie will even
do their business under shallower docks back up in the creek backs. At other times of the year some of my favorites are creek and river channel docks that
are in or close to deep water.The water depth usually will vary with time of year etc. You can take some of the guess work out of the equation with that side scan. There are many fine suggestions above. My suggestion is JMO from personal experience....One more thing, I know it sounds
simple but I have to remind my stubborn self. If the bites not there move. Hope this helps.
SH

[Hanr3]

Know the weather for the week leading up to fishing. The wind will push the bait towards shore. Doesn't matter which way the wind is blowing the day you are fishing, the bait don't move far fast.
Also know the direction of current. Crappie hang out of the current and jump out to eat food as it swims by. Also tells you which way they are facing. Dropping the bait behind them is useless, they won't see it.

Sent from my XT1710-02 using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app

[SKs Crappie Catching Adventures]

Good info in this one...... If you don't know your unit find the stuff you can see with your eyes, standing timber, bridges and docks.....
My advise would be learn how to use your unit and your mapping......
The map is just as useful as the fish finder......

[silverside]

For general location start here:
Crappie by Degrees

Sent from my SM-G960U using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app