What advice or tips would you guys have for someone who is an unexperienced crappie fisher but would like to start targeting them? I haven't caught a crappie since lake Palestine at least 10 years ago when I still lived in Tyler. The tough thing for me is I'll mostly be fishing from the bank with occasional boat access. I am looking for tips on tackle, jigs, rigs, equipment,techniques/presentation, and if there are good bank areas to target like boat ramps, docks, or marinas. I typically fish for catfish and am trying to get into some faster paced fishing and fill the freezer at the same time.

At the risk of giving a non-answer, spend some time looking around the crappie section on here. You'll get a pretty full education. There's some fine jigmakers on here and plastic baitmakers as well who you can learn a lot about lures from. This time of year, your best bet is intermediate depths, bridges, or docks in 10ish feet of water. As for tackle, most guys on here use spinning rods in the medium weight range, hi-vis line in the 6-8 lb range, and various artificials (some us minnows). You may find someone on here to take you out or let you fish from their slip. It's probably getting harder by the day to catch many from the bank now with the spawn over.

Thanks for the advice! There are supposed to be a couple places around here that produce from the bank and I want to try them out before I hit the docks. I'd love to find a good brush pile, I've never caught more than 5 or 6 at a time or been on them when the bite is on. I've heard its addicting, and crappie are delicious too. That's a win/win if I can become successful.

What would be some quality jigs to look for at Wal-Mart or Academy? Or would be better off buying from someone on here? I'd like to support my fellow TFF'ers but I kinda have to keep a tight pocket, I would assume the homemade ones are a little more expensive. What colors work best? The water around here pretty much stays stained and murky with only a few feet of visability.

And do you tie the jig to your main line with just a split shot a few inches above, or there different riggings?

Jimbo,

I would take time to read the collective post of two anglers. Lovfldx and Wylie Crappieman. Both men have very successfully fished from the bank. If you're on a budget, no problem. Their posts contain information on rod/reel selection, choice of fishing line, tips on terminal tackle, favorite crappie lures and general locations to start your hunt for crappie throughout the calendar year.

Combine the information from the two anglers mentioned above with informative reports from the guides on area lakes and toss in the contributions of the men and women of the forum who are obsessed with a sickness for catching crappie and you will have at your fingertips a resource that can be described as PRICELESS!

Log-in and use the search feature at the top middle-right of the screen!

Jeff

Thanks big time for referring me to their posts! Im going to soak up as much as I can!

After reading threads today for a while, I've already learned a chartruse jigum jig is a must-have.

PM sent

Jigum jigs halo magic and azul
Pro angler rods
And shoot me a message, I will show you around Waco.

Thanks for all the great info and the PM's guys!