Want to know How to fish for crappie? Short manual for beginners.
Well it's easy enough to catch crappie, even for beginners. Before you catch your first crappie, you need to know some facts about them. Crappies are found practically in all lakes in USA and Canada. They like warm water and are normally found in all types of cover. They are 5-12 inches fully grown, but in some places they can reach up to 18''. Big crappies are referred to as a "Slabs". Good fishes are 1\2 to 1.2 pound weight in some lakes, but biggest ones are up to 6 pounds!
There are two sub-species to the common crappie. The black crappie, which gets its name from its slightly darker appearance, and the white crappie. The black crappie is usually white or gray with dark gray or black spots covering most of its sides. It has 7-8 dorsal spines on the top of its back. The white crappie tends to be lighter in color and often has distinct vertical bars of gray extending down its sides. It has 5-6 dorsal spines. Both of the sub-species have nearly the same feeding patterns and spawning time. The black crappie tends to prefer clearer water than the white crappie does. Its diet, as an adult, also tends to be less dominated by other fish than that of the white crappie. The black crappie's range is uncertain, since it has been widely transplanted, but it is presumed to be similar to the white crappie's. As of 2005, populations existed in all of the lower 48 states.
Crappie are versatile feeders, eating most types of insects, worms, and small crayfish and minnows. This variety of forage makes choosing baits for crappie fairly simple. Just about every angler has one bait that he or she swears will outfish any other. This is because that person probably uses that particular bait much more than any other. This is not necessarily a bad thing, however, because having confidence in your bait is almost as important as having a bait at all. As a rule of thumb, if the fish are eating it, keep using it. When the fish seem to stop eating it, don't keep using it.
The easiest time for catching crappies is April-July.
If you are going to fish for crappie, you should remember several things.
Little things sometimes make big differences
Crappie hang out around piers, brush piles, logs, and underwater drops and channels. Most of the time, you will find them suspended, so don’t fish on bottom as a general rule.
Use Lightweight line.
Fish in 3 feet to 18 feet of water.
Locate underwater shelters such as man-made submerged objects or brush piles. Because crappies like such places
Create lots of movement to attract crappie. When the fish seem to stop eating it, don't keep using it. If the fish aren't biting, you can try three things:Try a different presentation, Try a different color lure,Change baits completely.
Pull steady when the fish bites.
Bring it to shore or boat by reeling steadily.
Boat docks usually attract crappies
In winter months, crappie like brush piles in deeper water.
The lighter weight you use, the better.
When jig fishing, drop your jig by a stump or pier, and let settle to the bottom
Probably the best jig color is anything with chartreuse in it. Start with that, and then experiment with other colors. If the water is muddy or heavily stained, go with the bright fluorescent colors. If it is clear and a bright sunny day, the more flashy silver hues may work best. Cloudy days may call for dark colors. Just experiment and be patient.
Get a lightweight rod or cane pole.
What about baits? You should try different, and find a best for you and crappies. That's fishing.
Start with Maribou Jigs,Curly-tail Grubs, try different spinners. You can also use live baits such as worms or minnows or wax moth. They work well. Try to experiment, and you'll catch your crappie for sure.
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This video will be usefull for begginers, who want to fish for crappies .
Practice "catch and release" on the bigger crappies for continued bountiful fishing.
I hope this brief info explained a little how to fish for crappie.