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Why are Crappie attracted to cover????? #6151250 05/05/11 11:40 PM
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ERNEST PATY Offline OP
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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.


Ernest Paty 214-202-7866
catchcrappie@aol.com

Re: Why are Crappie attracted to cover????? [Re: ERNEST PATY] #6151285 05/05/11 11:58 PM
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And also maybe to keep from getting eaten by larger fish...


Life is Good..<><



Re: Why are Crappie attracted to cover????? [Re: ERNEST PATY] #6151288 05/05/11 11:59 PM
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Matthew Carroll Offline
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Your not a crappie,but a darn good catcher.......
That's my opinion. (for what it's worth)
Matthew





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2015 CAT DIVISION 2 STATE CHAMPION
Re: Why are Crappie attracted to cover????? [Re: Matthew Carroll] #6151579 05/06/11 01:35 AM
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Grainraiser Offline
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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

Re: Why are Crappie attracted to cover????? [Re: Grainraiser] #6151656 05/06/11 01:52 AM
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gr8day4fishin Offline
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I was at Bass Pro last week and they were all on the opposite side of the tank away from the branch.


Disabled Vet supporting our troops ALL WAYS!!

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Re: Why are Crappie attracted to cover????? [Re: ERNEST PATY] #6152057 05/06/11 03:14 AM
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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.


If we concentrated on the really important stuff in life,
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Re: Why are Crappie attracted to cover????? [Re: Retired Fisherman] #6152482 05/06/11 10:58 AM
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OkieBob Offline
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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.


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Re: Why are Crappie attracted to cover????? [Re: ERNEST PATY] #6153303 05/06/11 03:37 PM
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BigMack Offline
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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.
cry
It is also a place of refuge for them from other agressive fish.
eeks
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.
bang realmad hammer


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Re: Why are Crappie attracted to cover????? [Re: BigMack] #6153324 05/06/11 03:43 PM
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SkeeterRonnie Offline
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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.

Re: Why are Crappie attracted to cover????? [Re: SkeeterRonnie] #6153494 05/06/11 04:25 PM
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Capt. Michael Littlejohn Offline
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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;


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Re: Why are Crappie attracted to cover????? [Re: Capt. Michael Littlejohn] #6153534 05/06/11 04:35 PM
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BigMack Offline
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Originally Posted By: catfishsalsa
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.

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

EVERYBODY LIKES TO EAT CRAPPIE.


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Re: Why are Crappie attracted to cover????? [Re: BigMack] #6160261 05/08/11 09:53 PM
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elbandito78 Offline
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Originally Posted By: BigMack
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.
cry
It is also a place of refuge for them from other agressive fish.
eeks
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.
bang realmad hammer


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.

Re: Why are Crappie attracted to cover????? [Re: elbandito78] #6160824 05/09/11 01:03 AM
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ant inthis Offline
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good to know...

Re: Why are Crappie attracted to cover????? [Re: ant inthis] #6161113 05/09/11 02:20 AM
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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.


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Re: Why are Crappie attracted to cover????? [Re: CarpBait] #6162887 05/09/11 05:29 PM
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So what works best, condos or organic material brush piles? Do you ever have a brush pile or condo that never attracts crappie?


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