Ok guys I have never spent time on the Crappie forum. I have been a bass fisherman my entire life (48) and have never really fished for anything else. I am wanting to get into crappie fishing some but really have no idea where to start as far as what to use. I will just use one of my spinning rods with 6 lb line but can someone give me the basics of what you would suggest I start with? I know that is probably way to broad but any help is appreciated. Thanks

Just search YouTube you will find good videos that may help to get some tips and tricks for catching crappie. Hope this will help

Go to a tackle shop/Bass Pro/etc and chat with them. They'll talk all day about what to do and show you hands on instead of trying to work with word descriptions here. 1 necessity you need to ask about and get is the soft plastic weed guards (I get bass pro brand but am sure there are other ones at stores), not the jig heads with metal ones, but the plastic ones that plug onto the end of the hook. Google if needed. You will save yourself hundreds of dollars, hours and hours of not retying, and many frustrations of not breaking off jigs on timber.

Eric

Chech out crappie anglers of Texas.com

You have more crappie experience than what you might think. Crappie fishing has a lot of similarities as bass fishing. Crappie are predator fish and hang out in ambush spots just like bass. Being a bass fisherman, you will probably prefer artificial baits to live bait. To me, the challenge is in finding the crappie. Once that's done then there are different presentations you can use to get bit. If you have a little extra cash then consider going out with a crappie guide. He will get you up to speed on how to find and catch crappie. Good luck and good fishing!

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Get a guide on the lake you want to fish on the most if possible. Pick his brain, and remember where he takes you, Thats what you are paying for, his
knowledge. Later you can learn where and how to find your own Crappie spots.

I made this video for new crappie fishermen to get an idea of what gear to use for crappie. I hope it can help point you in the right direction.

There is not much difference between bass fishing and crappie fishing. Just down size your equipment (6 lb test line is perfect) and search for brushpiles, timber and bridge pilings. The only difference between the two is you will vertical fish for crappie more than you would for bass and don't set the hook to cross their eyes. Setting the hook on a crappie is about the same speed as the motion you would use to drink a bottle of beer from a table.

Youtube!!!!!!!

X2 and I going to tell you that it is slower fishing much like worm fishing for BASS, a lot of the time you will go to the bottom and work your way up till you find them, and then try to hit the same depth again. I think you will get hooked on crappie fishing sooner than later. Go to YouTube and let us know how you do, again to the crappie section

Don't do the old man fishing with the minnows and wobbly rods. Just use a medium light bass rod with some braid (I use bonehead braid). Get you some jig heads (I like gates jig heads because he doesn't paint over the eyes) and then get you some jigs. I've used them all and everyone on here will tell you something different. For the last couple years I have used Thermocline Lures. I mainly use them because they work. The last thing you really need is a buddy that can show you a few things about crappie and how to find them and spot a pattern. They are pretty easy to learn. The fish that are on the bottom are always easier to catch than suspended fish. Of coarse crappie like to be around timber or structure of some sort so find some timber and start on the bottom and then try different depths. Underwater timber that isn't visible on the surface is better than the visible timber that everyone's pawpaw is fishing. Good luck man!

Thanks for all the info guys. How is Crappie fishing in the winter? Don't they bite pretty well?