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Crappie fishin' tips
NeoBlackdog
Member Posts: 16,654 ✭✭✭✭
No, I don't have any... I want some. Crappie aren't native to Eastern Oregon but there have been quite a few reservoirs stocked with them. I've never had much luck catching the little buggers. Anybody got some surefire tricks?
Comments
Dynamite.[:o)]
Tried that. The Sheriff is one of my fishin' partners and he said he wouldn't go with me anymore if I didn't quit using it.[8D]
Great Fishing
I like brush piles that are in 8-15 feet of water, and are at least 4-6 feet tall. Large trees that have fallen into deep water, but are still attached to the bank are also great spots.
When you fish, go from structure to structure until you catch a crappie, and then stick with it. During the spring, fall, and summer, I always start fishing a 6 feet, and then either go up to three feet, or down to 8-9. During the winter I start at 12, and go up to 9 or down to 15. I always fish areas off of deep water. Crappie really love areas of extreme depth changes with structure. They stick to them tight.
I am a slip bobber fisherman, and unless the fish are really "on", I guarantee that I can outfish any jig fisherman. Wax worms can be used to find them, but minnows are preferable.
Fish light line 4-6lb, and the lightest weight/bobber combo you can get by with. If you notice your bobber coming up, instead of going down, raise your depth by 5 inches at a time until it starts going down when the fish bite. If it is windy, switch to a heavier combo so that you can keep your bait in the honey hole for longer. Don't be afraid to get directly over seriously hairy structure, and fish straight down into it.
They school tight, so if you catch one, expect 12 more to be at that EXACT same spot. If you flub it by 10ft, you may not get another bite. They very well might only be on that one single tree. If the fish suddenly stop biting (and you don't catch a catfish), look for other structure in the IMMEDIATE area that they might have moved to. Remember, the fish change habits frequently, so when they do, try something new until you figure out what they're doing.
Large blugill have the same habits of large crappie. Small blugill do not. If you are catching small blugill, chances have it that you are not at the right depth for the crappie. Small crappie will school with large crappie, or at least relatively close to them.
If you really start tearing them up, don't be afraid to switch to jigs. They're cheaper, and faster. However, if the fish are being shy, nothing beats live bait, and a slow "light" presentation. The more shy they are, the more line I put between the hook, and the sinker.
My preferable rig is a #4 gold eagle claw, a pencil thil bobber, and one split shot 8-16 inches above the hook. If the crappie start swallowing the hooks, shorten the distance between the hook, and the split shot. If you're getting bites, but not hook sets, increase the distance between the hook & the split shot.
When they start spawning, just fish 'em like you would gills with the same baits.
They also will sometimes segregate by sex. It's important to note if you're catching males, or females. If you change up your strategy, and suddenly catch the opposite sex, realize that is most likely a different school with a different characteristic.
Happy fishing,
Ben
When they aren't biting, switch to a small longshank hook. Put a mini jig tube skirt on it.
Give it a blast of WD40. No weight or anything.
It's worked well for me over the years when they seem to have shut off.
so don't cast far for them. Use multi hooks tied on the line a few inches apart. I've caught 2 at a time often. Minnows and jigs for best results. Good luck and screw you for not taking me!