If you would like to find a way to make some money by fishing and Look for four distinct cover types; willow trees, cypress trees, water willow, and button ball brush. During the prespawn, select the lakes near you to fish that have the most crappie in them. Before crappie begin the spawn, you’ll locate them wherever you find large schools of shad. Remember the drastic water changes usually present on either side of bridge pilings, since engineers often construct pilings on the edges of underwater creek channels. Flip a small (1/32 to 1/16 ounce) jig into the shallow water along the shore. Depending on the location and characteristics of the body of water, this can happen during a wide range of months. Water temperature varies greatly here, as does oxygen saturation. During the prespawn, crappie often will hold on these brush shelters on points that lead into creeks where they’ll spawn.
This will depend largely on the species and the clarity of the water. A good rule of thumb is to fish shallow during spring and fall, then fish deep during summer and winter. Crappie can usually be found spawning in temperatures ranging from 57 to 75 degrees. As winter begins to fade and water temperatures begin to rise, crappie anglers know that the spawning season is approaching. And it’s here that you’ll find the crappie when the heat is on. Fish the areas where this water re-enters the main river or lake. For more great hunting and fishing content for the deep South, Get outdoor trends, data, new products, and tips delivered to your inbox.John E. Phillips of Vestavia, Ala., started his fishing career when only 2-months old with his family at the Magnolia River and his deer-hunting experiences as a child at a Greene County hunting club.
The crappie spawn doesn’t happen all at once.
It gets me out into nature and I love it! They do this for two reasons: to fuel themselves for the growth spurt encountered at this point in their lives, and to prepare for the stressful upcoming spawn. I have been looking deeper for them. These fish often hold on underwater humps or ledges and in large, tight schools. In exceptionally clear water, they may spawn as deep as 20 feet or more.During the spring spawning period, use a trolling motor to move slowly and quietly close to the shoreline.
We facilitate and provide opportunity for all citizens to use, enjoy, and learn about these resources. You’ll also find crappie during the prespawn in little ditches only a foot or two deep coming off creek channels and leading into spawning areas.
Vertical jigging works well when fishing the brush.Fishing around concrete bridge piers is a productive technique for catching crappie in Missouri’s large reservoirs during summer. On water systems with de-watering areas for waterfowl, during the prespawn, the water from these duck ponds will drain back into the river or lake. Fishing jigs or minnows under diving birds will allow you to locate and catch plenty of crappie. There are days when crappie will only pick up a jig or minnow that is hovering nearly motionless. In many lakes and reservoirs, the water will actually “stir” itself up when the water near the surface begins to cool. Focus on piers in water at least 20 feet deep.
It means you should find water that is in a more stable condition. In waters that freeze, Because the water is cold, crappies metabolism will slow down, which means they will be slower. Crappie spawn when the water temperature reaches about 52-60 degrees. The key to catching crappie in the winter is to use a very slow retrieve. If you notice a dock that either has poles on it or pole holders on the front, there’s a very good chance you’ll find a hot, prespawn crappie spot in front of that dock. Again, you may need to experiment with the depth of your bait to find the fish.This is NOT a legal document. Look for the crappie to hold in the first or second eddy pool closest to the warm-water discharge yet out of the current. If a spring cold front sends crappie out to deeper water, concentrate on steep banks.
These are great pre-spawn crappie locations.Driscoll gives these secrets to catch more prespawn crappie: Fish where the crappie are holding, which requires scouting and looking for fish before you start fishing. Twenty to thirty feet down the water may be a little warmer at a whopping 39 degrees. In clear water, you can’t use By knowing when crappie spawn and the places to look for where the crappie are holding during the prespawn, you usually can catch more big crappie then and have less fishing pressure.To understand more about crappie, check out John E. Phillips’ books, available in Kindle and some also in print and Audible (). I’ve found the type of lake, the depth of the water and the clarity of the water, besides water temperature, all affect when and where the crappie will spawn.”Kent Driscoll explains that during the prespawn, he fishes with lighter weights and longer poles and fishes more slowly than he does the rest of the year.The fisheries biologist responsible for the lake or river you will be fishing, is your new best friend, when it comes to info about pre-spawn crappie locations.This article first appeared in the February 2019 print issue of Great Days Outdoors Magazine. Overnight a cold front moves in and it drops the temperatures to 64 the following day. Move 18 inches up from the first loop, and tie a second 6 to 8 inch loop in the line. * Catch ‘Em Deep. When the temperatures begin to warm they will begin moving to shallower water.