Trying to learn but the crappie are kicking my butt

[Bigtrout]

I know it's the tough time of year w/water temps 87 degrees but....
I'm running side scan on channel drop-offs, finding some brush though everything seems small. I really don't have a grasp of perspective, meaning, what I see looks small and have no idea how much or the scale of what is there that I'm seeing and marking.
I do see some logs etc that are pretty clear. Been focusing on 15-20' depths these last few weeks along creek channels or drop offs. As stated, I'm finding some structure but virtually no fish, AND, not seeing fish ON that structure with Traditional, ClearVu, or Sidescan...or don't know what I'm looking for.

I see structure, mark a waypoint, come back over it and spot it on downscan, throw a buoy out, move around buoy with trolling motor to find exact position of the brush, try to stay over the brush, drop a jig. Had some success with this a month or so ago but not now.

I'm seeing guys on YouTube, including some on here, and trying to follow their advice. I think I'm doing the same thing they are doing, except not catching fish.

Am I looking in the wrong spots or doing something wrong? Any advice?

[Slab Apprentice]

I like to use my side imaging and cruise next to docks. When I see what looks like a little dots stacked up along the pillars of the dock, I know that those are fish. I will count the number of columns and where the fish are, and then turn the boat around and go jig on that column. Crappie are small dots on my side imaging. I look for big groups that are stacked up and don’t get caught up with just a couple. Look around docks with lots of shade.


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[happycaster58]

Try to start fishing just before sunrise. I find they bite best early morning and right before dark. Also, check for a thermocline. Don't fish below it because of lack of 02.
Keep moving to find active fish, or try pulling crank baits. Docks and shade helps in summer too.

[Bigtrout]

I like to use my side imaging and cruise next to docks. When I see what looks like a little dots stacked up along the pillars of the dock, I know that those are fish. I will count the number of columns and where the fish are, and then turn the boat around and go jig on that column. Crappie are small dots on my side imaging. I look for big groups that are stacked up and don’t get caught up with just a couple. Look around docks with lots of shade.


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Yeah that's the other issue, docks. Seems they like to hide in the shade but there's about a thousand docks so...which one? I've cruised past a number looking for brush but unlike when I was a kid, it seems most people clear out under and around their docks these days. I've seen people spotting the fish, specks and dots under docks with side scan, as Slab Apprentice mentions above. I'm having difficulty seeing the pilings and mostly just seeing shadows. I'm still trying to find the best color palette/contrast/and brightness for my eyes. And I think I need to pass closer to the dock.

Also, check for a thermocline. Don't fish below it because of lack of 02. On the traditional, I turned up the gain and there was a definite dividing line at about 25 ft. I noticed on downscan I could also see a line of sorts at about the same level. I assumed that was the thermocline & the reason I was looking for structure at around the 15-20 ft depth. That sound about right?

[Slab Apprentice]

Yeah that's the other issue, docks. Seems they like to hide in the shade but there's about a thousand docks so...which one? I've cruised past a number looking for brush but unlike when I was a kid, it seems most people clear out under and around their docks these days. I've seen people spotting the fish, specks and dots under docks with side scan, as Slab Apprentice mentions above. I'm having difficulty seeing the pilings and mostly just seeing shadows. I'm still trying to find the best color palette/contrast/and brightness for my eyes. And I think I need to pass closer to the dock.

Yes, make sure distance on SI is set up correctly. When I cruise by them I am less than 5 ft from the piling itself and only have SI set out to about 50 ft


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[Bigtrout]

Yes, make sure distance on SI is set up correctly. When I cruise by them I am less than 5 ft from the piling itself and only have SI set out to about 50 ft


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Makes sense. I'm definitely too far out and running the range at 60-70 ft so the pilings I see are getting close to the darker edges on the screen. That would make it near impossible to see fish "dots". Gonna try this next chance I get.
Another question...floating docks vs. pilings? Are they just looking for shade? I'd think docks with pilings would be a plus vs none.

[SuperDave336]

Mike Baker has a two part video on finding crappie using your electronics. Check it out, hopefully it helps.

[Slab Apprentice]

Makes sense. I'm definitely too far out and running the range at 60-70 ft so the pilings I see are getting close to the darker edges on the screen. That would make it near impossible to see fish "dots". Gonna try this next chance I get.
Another question...floating docks vs. pilings? Are they just looking for shade? I'd think docks with pilings would be a plus vs none.

I have more luck with pilings, but have caught a lot under floating docks with submerged structure (Christmas tress) tied on.


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[Bigtrout]

Mike Baker has a two part video on finding crappie using your electronics. Check it out, hopefully it helps.

Well, after watching part one I see I definitely am not getting close enough to see underneath the docks with side scan. Man he gets right in there, even pulling into the slip. I'd half expect someone to come out raising &$%# and throwing rocks!

[Ketchn]

If you find them , they often look like popcorn on some units ,if you si docks and as stated set it about 50 feet or so and cruise within 3 feet or so by them , you might si a lot of docks before you find the silver bullet and in some cases it might be one day they love a certain dock and you never see much on it again.
Summertime crappie can be tough , they often bite very lightly and it’s a chore to tell if it was or is a bite. In these parts the guide folks are using minnows to seal the deal , mostly because of the skill sets on the average anglers when it comes to ketchn summertime crappie and the actual interest of the fish as well.
Finding them is only half the equation currently, come fall when the feed bag is on , finding them will be 90% of the equation, luck you ....
And a small jig might be king on finicky summer crappie too ...