Thread: how do you catch crappie on lake wateree this time of year?

locate some brush, drop down some battery cables, zap them but DONT' collect them,

come back later once you've confirmed that they are there,

easy

Use reel rod or pole whatever you have use cork about 3' deep(try different depths if not catching) with small split shot and minnows try different depths of water and around brush and cover. This is easiest way to start with then when you start doing well catching crappie buy all the artificial stuff. Then you know you are hooked on crappie fishing.

The best way to catch 'em is with a hook right in the corner of their mouths.


I'm sorry...I couldnt help it. I've never crappie fished Wateree but I am a firm believer that when you find the bait youre close to the fish. ALWAYS watch your graph.

I used to fish wateree quite a bit. The best way to catch crappie year around on that lake is to longline. It is an easy lake to fish as it is not real wide, just kinda like a wider part of the original river. Launch at the State Park and head for the dam. Run across the flats and the channel looking for them. If this does not work in about an hour, run down to the lower lake and start back up doing the same this time of year. When the water cools, and winter comes along, the top half of the lake is the best. Trolling is the deal on Wateree. I quit fishing it when the fish advisory came about due to you should only eat so many ounces of fish per month or some nonsense. There is some good sized crappie in that lake, and generally you catch the bigger ones trolling. Kit

I agree with Kit, longining is still a strong method at present. As the water clears, and the pleasure boating increases, fishing over deep water brush with be the best method. Minnows on a tight line fished along the channel ledge will also produce nicely.

Originally Posted by Inkdabber

I agree with Kit, longining is still a strong method at present. As the water clears, and the pleasure boating increases, fishing over deep water brush with be the best method. Minnows on a tight line fished along the channel ledge will also produce nicely.

I have never met you, but I can tell, if I entered a tournament and you were a player I would consider you a threat. Lol! You might just make me use my brain.

I plan to try the long line for a couple hours for a couple days this week, but if not working will immediately start working brush tossing jigs around it, and even using the brewer slider right in the brush.

I fish Lake Murray 99 percent of the time, it is close to home, and the clear water does not bother me, I just understand it. Yep a real good summer pattern is brush piles around 20 to 30 feet. Those in 10 feet sometimes on a cloudy day, bright clear day, go deep young man. Chuckle. Kit

Well Kit, I don't consider myself when speaking of great crappie anglers, but I have been schooled by many a fine fishermen. I like to think I learned a thing or two along the way. I'm versatile, and capable of catching fish using numerous different techniques. Brush fishing using either jigs or minnows, tight and long lining is where I am best, but I am capable of dock shooting, casting, or slip bobber fishing as well. I have fished many crappie tournaments over the years, but have lost the desire to pursue them any longer. I've been successful in a few, winning a couple of Crappie Masters events, a couple of Crappie USA events, and a few locally held events. I fished lakes ranging south to Florida, west to Mississippi, and north to Indiana. Each area holds different sub species of crappie who act and relate to cover and structure differently. I'm not on this site to compete, I'm here for the friendships, the fishing reports, and to help a few folks out if I'm able. Telling someone how to use a technique, and their ability to comprehend, and apply this knowledge is rewarding to me. Usually when a tread is started by a fishermen asking a question pertaining to the how, when, and where to use a certain style a crappie fishing, numerous different replies will appear. I have learned a few variables to certain techniques by reading each response. What works best for you, may be done entirely different by someone else. It doesn't mean their technique is wrong, it's just how they learned to do it. This is a good site full of good people, I'll be looking forward to reading and replying to threads you start or respond to, just as I hope you do the same. The more input that is received, the better the site will become to all members.

Originally Posted by Inkdabber

Well Kit, I don't consider myself when speaking of great crappie anglers, but I have been schooled by many a fine fishermen. I like to think I learned a thing or two along the way. I'm versatile, and capable of catching fish using numerous different techniques. Brush fishing using either jigs or minnows, tight and long lining is where I am best, but I am capable of dock shooting, casting, or slip bobber fishing as well. I have fished many crappie tournaments over the years, but have lost the desire to pursue them any longer. I've been successful in a few, winning a couple of Crappie Masters events, a couple of Crappie USA events, and a few locally held events. I fished lakes ranging south to Florida, west to Mississippi, and north to Indiana. Each area holds different sub species of crappie who act and relate to cover and structure differently. I'm not on this site to compete, I'm here for the friendships, the fishing reports, and to help a few folks out if I'm able. Telling someone how to use a technique, and their ability to comprehend, and apply this knowledge is rewarding to me. Usually when a tread is started by a fishermen asking a question pertaining to the how, when, and where to use a certain style a crappie fishing, numerous different replies will appear. I have learned a few variables to certain techniques by reading each response. What works best for you, may be done entirely different by someone else. It doesn't mean their technique is wrong, it's just how they learned to do it. This is a good site full of good people, I'll be looking forward to reading and replying to threads you start or respond to, just as I hope you do the same. The more input that is received, the better the site will become to all members.

Yes tournaments get to be work and not fun. I no longer fish them either. One big gripe I always had was it sure looks like it is going to be a great afternoon and evening and now I have to quit fishing and go check in? I want to keep fishing. A cool summer rain cools off the evening and I miss that? They were fun for awhile, but today I could care less about organized fishing. Cheers. Kit