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Could use some tips...New Crappie Fisherman
#12673576
03/15/18 12:20 PM
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Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 57
ConwayFishy
OP
Outdoorsman
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OP
Outdoorsman
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 57 |
I've toyed with crappie fishing here and there but never really gone out and after crappie by themselves. I'm a cat fisherman first and foremost...I don't really know to target crappie besides sinking a minnow by some structure and hoping for the best.
With the end of March just around the corner and April and May coming up, What should I generally be doing? Where on the lake should I be fishing. Generally speaking, how deep? Are minnows the best choice?
Not looking to answer the meaning of life here...just some general tips so I'm not way off (Fishing 40 ft by the dam while the fish are in 2ft of water near the river). I just inherited a boat and would like to try and put some fish in the freezer.
Dad, Husband and the Proudest Member of the Fightin' Aggie Class of 2008
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Re: Could use some tips...New Crappie Fisherman
[Re: ConwayFishy]
#12673716
03/15/18 01:34 PM
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Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 403
THarris22
Angler
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Angler
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 403 |
From now until the end of April you can catch fish in water anywhere from 1' to 30' deep. Some people say crappie this time of year are easy but,for me not so much. Shallow look for reeds or any hard bottom deeper look for brush piles rocks stumps any type structure on edges. Crappie for me are tuff this time of year because I don't fish shallow much,and deep fish are here today gone tomorrow or just want bite at all. Don't want to discourage you but just get some minnows and a hand full of jigs and get after them. Then maybe you can let us know how it is done. Good luck and be warned crappie fishing is addicting.
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Re: Could use some tips...New Crappie Fisherman
[Re: ConwayFishy]
#12675308
03/16/18 11:33 AM
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Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 57
ConwayFishy
OP
Outdoorsman
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OP
Outdoorsman
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 57 |
Dad, Husband and the Proudest Member of the Fightin' Aggie Class of 2008
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Re: Could use some tips...New Crappie Fisherman
[Re: ConwayFishy]
#12675326
03/16/18 12:04 PM
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Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 6,950
crapicat
TFF Celebrity
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TFF Celebrity
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 6,950 |
What type of catfish do you mostly target? It makes a difference, in the advise, I will give you...
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Re: Could use some tips...New Crappie Fisherman
[Re: ConwayFishy]
#12675752
03/16/18 04:03 PM
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,508
TexExp
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,508 |
This time of year... Fish shallow Fish hard Keep moving 2 main techniques are minnow or jig and bobber or straight jigging. You'll find almost the same amount of proponents for both. I like vertical jigging and moving fast. If you're not getting bit MOVE! 99.9% of spring crappie fishing is location - If they are there, they will usually bite. Good luck out there!!
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Re: Could use some tips...New Crappie Fisherman
[Re: TexExp]
#12676011
03/16/18 06:45 PM
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 41,595
butch sanders
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 41,595 |
This time of year... Fish shallow Fish hard Keep moving 2 main techniques are minnow or jig and bobber or straight jigging. You'll find almost the same amount of proponents for both. I like vertical jigging and moving fast. If you're not getting bit MOVE! 99.9% of spring crappie fishing is location - If they are there, they will usually bite. Good luck out there!! How high above the jig do you set the bobber? Is it variable, or is there a formula?
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Re: Could use some tips...New Crappie Fisherman
[Re: ConwayFishy]
#12676107
03/16/18 07:59 PM
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Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 609
Mac817
Pro Angler
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Pro Angler
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 609 |
Rule of thumb that I use is distance between bobber and jig is 2/3 the water depth. Slip bobber allows for setting depth at any depth you prefer.
I would rather die finding out there was no God than die finding out there is.
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Re: Could use some tips...New Crappie Fisherman
[Re: Mac817]
#12676404
03/17/18 12:35 AM
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 41,595
butch sanders
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 41,595 |
Rule of thumb that I use is distance between bobber and jig is 2/3 the water depth. Slip bobber allows for setting depth at any depth you prefer. thanks
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Re: Could use some tips...New Crappie Fisherman
[Re: ConwayFishy]
#12676771
03/17/18 03:58 AM
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 3,704
RANDY WOOD
TFF Team Angler
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TFF Team Angler
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 3,704 |
The real key to catching shallow spawning crappie is water clarity. Clear water they spawn deeper. Stained water they get in skinny water. They key is figuring out that
Leader of the CORN BREAD MAFIA and the Captain of Team Family Style 2008 TSA Team of the Year 817-999-1922
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Re: Could use some tips...New Crappie Fisherman
[Re: ConwayFishy]
#12676791
03/17/18 04:19 AM
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Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 319
Thunk
Angler
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Angler
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 319 |
Crappie will stage in and out this time of year. 3-15 ft. In most waters. As said before stick with slip bobbers for most applications. Look up and print out jig colors for water clarity. Can't go wrong with minnows for live bait. Tip your jig with a minnow when jigs aren't cutting it. Look up vidoes for your sonar and learn what Crappie look like on structure and open water and you will be off to a good start.
Last edited by Thunk; 03/17/18 04:21 AM.
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Re: Could use some tips...New Crappie Fisherman
[Re: crapicat]
#12676878
03/17/18 10:51 AM
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Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 57
ConwayFishy
OP
Outdoorsman
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OP
Outdoorsman
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 57 |
Channels mostly. I like fishing simple and shallow. Mainly around 8 feet. Use Catawba worms and catfish Charlie.
Dad, Husband and the Proudest Member of the Fightin' Aggie Class of 2008
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Re: Could use some tips...New Crappie Fisherman
[Re: RANDY WOOD]
#12676881
03/17/18 10:55 AM
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Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 57
ConwayFishy
OP
Outdoorsman
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OP
Outdoorsman
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 57 |
The real key to catching shallow spawning crappie is water clarity. Clear water they spawn deeper. Stained water they get in skinny water. They key is figuring out that The lake I fish is almost always stained...and high. So being in and around trees and brush is almost never a problem. Maybe I'll start out around 8 feet this morning and go from there. Thank you.
Dad, Husband and the Proudest Member of the Fightin' Aggie Class of 2008
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Re: Could use some tips...New Crappie Fisherman
[Re: crapicat]
#12676882
03/17/18 10:57 AM
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Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 57
ConwayFishy
OP
Outdoorsman
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OP
Outdoorsman
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 57 |
What type of catfish do you mostly target? It makes a difference, in the advise, I will give you... To go a little further, I actually enjoy using cane poles in around that 8 feet of water. I've considered rigging one pole up for a minnow and bobber and the other for my catfish and trying them both in 6-8 feet of water now through middle of may.
Dad, Husband and the Proudest Member of the Fightin' Aggie Class of 2008
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Re: Could use some tips...New Crappie Fisherman
[Re: ConwayFishy]
#12676886
03/17/18 11:01 AM
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Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 17,845
kodys'papa
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 17,845 |
^ gig em...Cane poles are a fun way to fish and the method you described could work... 8 feet may be a little deep for spawning crappie...
Hooking a fish is like playing string with a cat. The exact size, shape, color of string matters less than how you wiggle it- and little cats are easier to fool than big ones. John Gierach
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Re: Could use some tips...New Crappie Fisherman
[Re: RANDY WOOD]
#12677819
03/18/18 05:51 AM
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Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 973
Kayak-Hooligan
Pro Angler
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Pro Angler
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 973 |
I've toyed with crappie fishing here and there but never really gone out and after crappie by themselves. I'm a cat fisherman first and foremost...I don't really know to target crappie besides sinking a minnow by some structure and hoping for the best.
With the end of March just around the corner and April and May coming up, What should I generally be doing? Where on the lake should I be fishing. Generally speaking, how deep? Are minnows the best choice?
Not looking to answer the meaning of life here...just some general tips so I'm not way off (Fishing 40 ft by the dam while the fish are in 2ft of water near the river). I just inherited a boat and would like to try and put some fish in the freezer. You and I both. I usually target stripes fish, but this "thump" is getting addicting. The real key to catching shallow spawning crappie is water clarity. Clear water they spawn deeper. Stained water they get in skinny water. They key is figuring out that You're right about that, today I saw a 15" female stomache full of eggs look like it's about to explode get caught in maybe about a 1 to 2 feet of water. Water clarity was stain green
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