Spring = Crappie !

Two things that generally excite outdoorsmen and women in spring are the Crappie fishing and turkey hunting. The turkeys treated us poorly this year but that is another tale better left for another day…

Since the sudden onset of spring this year we have had unseasonable warm weather earlier than most humans can remember. At writing, we have eighty degree water in the first week of May! One would have thought the fishing would be fabulous but it has been the typical up and down spring as far as we have found here in KC.

Recently, we have had those rare days when every fish is twelve inches or bigger and then a day or two later the fish size has shrunk. There has only been one true constant and that is the fact that all our fish have come on one fishing lure (we don’t use bait for Crappie). If it were not for the sake of the Culprit Tassel Tail grub, things might have been even more desperate.

Simply utilizing a Tassel Tail grub on a 1/16 ounce jig head and either swum slowly or fished vertically, has been the key to our success. This year has produced more Crappie over 12 inches than any previous spring! Utilizing the proper tackle, more experience and paying attention to optimum weather patterns has been critical. Slowly but surely we are stocking the freezer and supplying some of our friends and neighbors with fresh fillets!

Fishing for aggressive fish has been my priority this season. Since we don’t use bait there is no reason to stay put and “wait them out” in my opinion.Merely cover ground and pay attention to details until a pattern is put together. I keep asking myself did those fish come off rocky or dirt banks, brush, stickup or lay-downs?  Also what depth, temperature and color was the water. Typically just a few fish will help an angler put the puzzle together if they pay attention. Recently I even noticed that the Crappie wanted the grub dead still. Thus a slow retrieve with the occasional stop was the trick of the day.

Likewise, should the fishing be good one day then dead the next, its time to try dipping or stealthy dropping the lure in front of the fish that have gone dormant. Its pretty common for spawning fish to shun chasing lures but they will still bite if the bait is presented directly in front of their face. Although dipping isn’t as fun as casting it beats going home empty handed!

Try some new colors as well as a lighter or heavier jighead when the bite suddenly begins to slow. Another trick to jump start the action again is to change the speed of your retrieve. If the fish have quit biting the slow and steady speed, give the reel hell for a few casts and see if that doesn’t entice a few more fish to the boat. Be sure to give a lift and drop retrieve a chance in tough conditions.

Never quit until you have tried every method possible of catching Crappie. Nothing beats a full livewell of fish, so be sure to persevere and often that extra effort will pay off in fillets!

Read more Articles...