Understanding the Species
Crappie Fishing - Understanding the Species and how to Fish for them
I like to crappie fish as well as catfish and I figure if I learn about my prey I have a better chance on catching it.
Crappie is pronounced “craw-pea”.
Crappie is related to large mouth bass and blue gill. Crappie are also a member of the sunfish family. If you look at the crappie it has a small looking mouth that can turn into a large mouth. This is for sucking up minnows from a short distant.
Crappie can see colors very well and because of the sight they will hit verity of colored jigs. Since there sight is important to finding food lets take a close look at it.
As we all know water filters out colors with red being first and blues and other dark colors being last. As you descend into water the water will look green then blue. So red lures and red hooks are only good for shallower waters. White and black lures are very good for deep fishing. White will reflect any light in dark water that can hit it. Study has shown that the colder the water the more/better a fish can see. This happens because the colder the better the cells in the eyes will work. That would mean they could see your fishing line better also. A lighter mono or fluorocarbon line would be wise to use at this time.
Crappie activity level have a lot to do with what color of bait is best. If the fish are active colors like red yellow white are good ones to use. The colors will contrast to back ground water color, structure etc. Active crappies will hit on more movement.
Inactive fish will want greens, blues etc. They will blend into the backgrounds better. To hook an inactive crappie use a slower motion. In cold weather I will use a red and white 1 1/2 “ tube or a silver and black tube thrown along a pier and retrieved slowly as it bumps along the bottom.
I see no reason to go into habitat because we all know they like structure. I would like to touch on food. Young ones feed on insects, as they grow they start feeding more and more on bait fish. With minnows being there favorite. They will also eat crawfish, maggots etc. Keep in mind that black crappie will continue to eat insects even when there are adults .In the early spring (pre spawn) crappie will form into tight groups that will attack minnows in or around structures.
Late spring or early summer is when they spawn. Usually in groups with still or slow moving water. They spawn in water deeper than what blue gills do. After spawn the schools will not be as tightly pack. They will spread out to weedy or brushy cover. They will still be in groups though.
Winter and late fall will see them back in tight schools around structures that are in there comfort zone. They say that if one school of crappie is at 12’ in the winter all the crappie schools will be at 12’ Hum I wonder about that.
Lets fish
Bill
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I am what I is / FZ