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What turns them on? #12034365 01/11/17 10:47 PM
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rtread Offline OP
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Still on a steep learning curve here. I've had my luck at times crappie fishing, sometimes not. I've adopted some "notions" on what turns them on and off. Example: The best time of day to catch crappie is daybreak to sun-up or later on a cloudy day. Right or wrong, it's what I have come to believe.

What I'm looking for are "notions" from you experienced crappie fishermen on what you think the magic factors are....time of day, weather, moon, sun, anything! Any and all responses welcome.

Re: What turns them on? [Re: rtread] #12034450 01/11/17 11:28 PM
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KidKrappie Offline
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There are so many variables that come into play when it comes to them biting or not. All of the factors you mentioned play a role as well. Many say that air pressure is number one but I really don't think that is the case. My opinion is that if you put a jig in front of a crappie with normal conditions and present it right, 8 times out of 10 they will bite. Although, some days they bite better than others. I really feel that crappie are the hardest fish to catch consistently year round than any other freshwater fish because they move so much and can be so temperamental. I wish I could say that there was one factor in particular that either turns them on or off but I haven't found that factor yet.

Re: What turns them on? [Re: rtread] #12034718 01/12/17 01:31 AM
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Hancock's Guide Service Offline
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I'm a believer that Crappie feed early, late and at night most of the time. These are my three least favorite times to fish. I like sunshine. It pushes them into and around brush piles, timber, bridges, docks etc. these are the type of structure we most tarket. At these times I feel they bite from reaction and opportunity more than hunger. When they are actively feeding during low light hours they scatter and become harder to target on a specific type of structure.
Crappie love shade.


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Re: What turns them on? [Re: rtread] #12034753 01/12/17 01:49 AM
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Spiderman Offline
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The easiest way for me to consistently catch crappie is to build brush piles. It is allot of work but makes catching so much easier. Experiment with depth, for me 15' is the magic number.

Bamboo, Willow, or fresh cut Cedar trees all work well.

Once you concentrate the crappie in an area of the lake, the catching is allot easier.


The Truth is six of the seven Dwarfs are not Happy!
Re: What turns them on? [Re: rtread] #12035151 01/12/17 05:52 AM
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Cattle15 Offline
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This time of year they are turned on all the time! Eating more to produce the eggs they will soon deposit .The game is locating them, different conditions make them do different things on a daily basis , depending on water temp. , sun light, bait fish etc..... The first of last week we caught them in 18"-4' feet of water, after the cold air came in and cooled down the water again , the first of this week we caught them in 21' feet of water. The fish were biting vary good both weeks just different locations, the secret is we were not so naive to think after the water temp. Dropping 12 degrees they would be in the same location? It also depends on where you are fishing in the body of water , you choose to fish? Some fish the dam & main lake points and some fish the creeks&rivers ? The bottom line , (their is no holy grail ), no one thing that is the answer? Fishing is more hunting and preparation than anything ! Or they would call it catching?

Re: What turns them on? [Re: rtread] #12035191 01/12/17 10:41 AM
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rtread Offline OP
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Good stuff here! Fishing and hunting are similar....if you aren't hunting where there's game, you ain't bagging nothing. Also, the 90/10 ratio comes into play in most bodies of water.
What I'm really getting at is "what triggers them"? What determines their feeding periods....why do they stop biting as quick as they started? I know there are multiple factors in play but just want to hear others ideas on what these factors are.

Last edited by rtread; 01/12/17 10:46 AM.
Re: What turns them on? [Re: rtread] #12035203 01/12/17 11:13 AM
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Mac817 Offline
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I think changing light conditions throughout the day and following shad and other food sources has a lot to do with it.


I would rather die finding out there was no God than die finding out there is.
Re: What turns them on? [Re: rtread] #12036143 01/12/17 08:10 PM
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Ken Gaby Offline
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Really hard to determine what triggers them to bite. My best guess is something resembling food that is too easy to pass up. Usually if you get one to bite, if there are others there, they will bite also.

What stops them: I think fright. When a crappie is hooked, they react in a fright mode. That may scare the other crappie hanging around. Unlike bass or white bass, crappie don't feed as aggressively; therefore the erratic behavior of a hooked fish spooks the others sometimes. If they're feeding, they keep biting. If they're resting at the brush pile, you sometimes catch 4-5 fish then nothing. You can come back in 30 minutes and catch 3-4 more. Did you catch them all the first time and more moved in? I don't think so. They were still there. Sometimes changing baits or color will trigger more bites.

But there are times when nothing will trigger them. I have observed crappie under docks at Belton that I could bump in the nose with a minnow and the crappie would back away. Wouldn't touch a jig or minnow. I was looking at a school of maybe 50 fish and not one was temped to bite. Observed this 3 different times over a two year period.


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Re: What turns them on? [Re: rtread] #12036216 01/12/17 08:43 PM
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Great post/thread! thanks all



Re: What turns them on? [Re: rtread] #12036240 01/12/17 08:57 PM
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If you are asking about women, I have no clue!!!

If you are asking about crappie, I still have no clue but I have a better chance of figuring it out someday!!!


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Works with MG Xi5, Xi3 and MK Terrova, Ulterra, PD V2 and Riptides as well.

Re: What turns them on? [Re: BlueNitro] #12036276 01/12/17 09:17 PM
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rtread Offline OP
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Originally Posted By: BlueNitro
If you are asking about women, I have no clue!!!

If you are asking about crappie, I still have no clue but I have a better chance of figuring it out someday!!!


Definitely a crappie question wink After many years of applying this study to the same wonderful woman, can't say I know any more now than before we were married. One of life's great mysteries as I see it..... smirk

Re: What turns them on? [Re: BlueNitro] #12036295 01/12/17 09:31 PM
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Originally Posted By: BlueNitro
If you are asking about women, I have no clue!!!

If you are asking about crappie, I still have no clue but I have a better chance of figuring it out someday!!!



LOL



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