I have been asked this question many times. Here is my opinion and it's just that, an opinion.

Crappie like to rest near something that they can see. Can be brush, condo's, timber, trash or an old water hose hanging in the water. Doesn't matter to the fish.

I don't think they go to the cover to feed. If the opportunity presents itself to grab a snack they will do it but they are there to rest and hang out when not actively feeding. When dinner time comes I believe they chase schools of shad/bait fish nearby.

If they only went to the cover to feed then they would only be there a short time each day. If my theory is correct then the hardest Crappie to catch would be fish that are actively feeding because they are suspended away from the brush. The trick is to get the resting fish to feed.

But what do I know, I'm not a Crappie.

And also maybe to keep from getting eaten by larger fish...

Your not a crappie,but a darn good catcher.......
That's my opinion. (for what it's worth)
Matthew

What always make a impression on me is the crappie in the tank at Bass Pro never move from that one branch in the tank. I have been there at least 50 times and those crappies never move more than 2ft up or down that timber.


Reggie

I was at Bass Pro last week and they were all on the opposite side of the tank away from the branch.

I agree with your opinion. If you troll a small crankbait, you mostly catch sandbass, but occasionally pick up a crappie. I think these crappie are the active feeders chasing bait.

I also believe they are prey material and as such are looking to hide from predators constantly on the search for food. That would be one reason in my opinion along with what Ernest said.

From doing the aquarium thing for a few years I learned a lot about behavior of fish in general.
They snuggle up into branches or holes in rock to sleep.
Yes, they do sleep at night.

It is also a place of refuge for them from other agressive fish.

I have had $60 fish die just because of stress.
Not enough cover for them to hide in.
I got very good at killing high dollar salt water fish and learned a lot.
I finally learned to go to fresh water and cheaper fish.

i can add, that a lot of times if they just suddenly stop biting... watch your graph and look for the big arch/arches... the crappie have retreated deep into the branches to hide from predators. move to a different pile so the activity on that pile stops, the the predators will move away.

Crappie are semi high on the food chain. We cleaned a 21" hybrid two weekends ago and it had a legal crappie in his belly. Crappie use the structure as a defense mechanism, as do bait fish.

Lakes that have high populations of blue cats and hybrid / stripers tend to fish better on brush.

Lake O'the Pines has a much smaller popluation of blue cats and hybrid / stripers (it does have some) and I catch alot more crappie away from structure such as following the creek channels and more open water in that lake.

My .02 :thumb;

Yup, that's what this guy had in mind too.

EVERYBODY LIKES TO EAT CRAPPIE.

Discus?

And I agree with Ernest. Imagine if you were in a field with a lone tree and wanted to rest. You probably wouldn't sit out in the open. I know I'd feel more comfortable and safe, sitting under the tree. And if a snack came by/fell out of that tree, you would probably take it. Lol.

good to know...

They are probably hiding from the mean ugly flatheads and blues like my skinny a$$ was hiding in the bushes after running 3 blocks from a redneck steroid clown.

So what works best, condos or organic material brush piles? Do you ever have a brush pile or condo that never attracts crappie?