New to crappie fishing (fresh water fishing in general)

Hey Guys,

Just want to quickly introduce, just moved out here from cali best damn decision of my life!! anyways ive fished all over the coast so i can tell you everything about salt water fishing and surf fishing but just because you have a body of water doesnt mean its the same thing, hard lesson learned haha. I have no expeirence in any fresh water other than catching trout from a pond back at home with some power bait lime twist, I live near lake ray hubbard and i hear that crappie are out and they are fantastic for fish tacos!!! But as the title reads im just such a newb to when it comes to fresh water, I have my rig its an ultra light setup my major problem i have is the rig, colors what lures etc. Also there isnt tide charts because in salt its always better to fish on the upcoming or outgoing tide. If you guys can help me out with any info on what lures to get colors for clear water muddy water that would be fantastic. Im just so lost help this poor lonely sap out hahah. Thanks again guys!!!

Wish I could help more but my son and I went this morning and left empty. We were vertical jigging around brush and stumps in 3-8 feet of water on Lake Belton. We had 1/4oz lead head with Chartreuse jig and even tried with some crappie nibble. The water was fairly clear and I sure felt good on the way out there but, guess it goes that way sometimes. I know that’s been working for quite a few people lately but not us on this day. Welcome to Texas!

Thanks Jaybonnett, what did you guys go off the bank? unfortunately I do not have a boat :-( sad days haha

to the forum...I will be happy to provide some thoughts to you later on, somehow managed to get busy...and it is a big weekend for a lot of the fishermen in the area...Crappiefest weekend...

You've hit a good time to start banking. Personal recommendation is to first do a search on this site for a post by tarponfly (carey thorn) about how to fish for spawning crappie. It's literally everything you need to know. Just like saltwater locations, habits, etc drastically change with the seasons so once the spawn is over it'll be a totally different ballgame but if you do some reading then use google maps/google earth to find protected areas and hard bottoms you can get on some spawning fish right now.

Eric

We kayak but 90% of what we fished today could be banked with a little effort. For some reason I’ve always struggled during the spawn but have luck in the heat of summer. I don’t know your lake though and I bet you’ll get a lot of helpful info here.

to Texas and to the forum. You have come to the right place for info. Good luck and looking foward in seeing some of your future post.

There are some very predictable spawn places on every lake including hubbard but people, me included, are most likely not going to post them on a forum and blow their locations up.

Eric

Agree with Eric...hook up and fish with some of the guys/gals on this forum that Fish the lakes you want to learn, and/or hire a guide...there are always a couple good colors to use on each lake, and some wild card colors...the bait guys on here know those colors and willlikely divulge those colors they make/sell that will work on the lakes you want to fish...

I don't fish muddy water but Possum Kingdom, a lake west of Fort Worth is super clear. You can see 30 feet right now. In that lake you need a fluorocarbon leader and a very life like lure or live bait. if you are using lures, I recommend the following in clear water:

The Fuzzy Bug Jig in white ( order online only from Giltmore tackle)


The Bomber Fat free shad in white or this color


As for general advise, if you want to have some success try lake Fork. I am always amazed at how many fish show up on my fish finder all over that lake. It's a veritable fish factory.

Good Luck.

Thanks Crapicat!!!