Early Spring Crappie Fishing Tips
There are many fishermen who wait in the spring for the crappies to move in to spawn. Don't get me wrong; if you get crappies on their spawning beds, the fishing can be fantastic! But why wait to the spawn when you can have your cake and eat it too. Crappie fishing right after ice out can be equally rewarding.
The water temperature right after ice out will be very frigid. After a few bright warm sunny days the lakes ecosystem will start to come alive. Many crappies in the early spring will be found deep. These deep water spots regularly will be the last spots the ice fisherman were having success. By using light jigs and minnows in these deep-water spots, chances are you will have solid success. But if you are truly looking for fast action think shallow water.
As the water starts warming up, the insects will start hatching and small bait fish will move closer to shore. When that happens the crappies will move in right behind the food to feed. The best thing about early season crappie fishing is that the finest times of the day to be out is during the peak of late afternoon and early evening when the weather is the nicest. Every lake is different, but the best early season lakes are the more shallow and muddy bottom lakes because they tend to warm up quicker.
If the lake has a small bay or channel the crappies will be drawn in there like magnets. Fallen trees, sticks brush and last years weeds will attract more insects that are hatching that the crappies will feed upon. This combination will become your best fishing spot. The water temp that typically starts this early season action is about 50-55 degrees. There are many fishermen who incorrectly think the crappies at this time are coming in to spawn. They are merely coming in to feed at this time. Crappies will move in to spawn a little later in the spring when the water temperature is about 65 degrees.
There are many fishermen that will use a jig and minnow. They will catch fish, but if you truly want the fast action switch your presentation to a tube jig. The best depths normally here are about 6 feet or less. When you rig you tube jig, place a small bobber a foot and a half up from the jig. Cast and retrieve it slow. The bobber basically simply keeps your jig at the same depth. In detecting the bite, crappies will often grab your jig and swim side to side or the bobber will tip up and then move slowly down. The tube jig body is plastic so provide the crappie a little time to suck it down. The best thing about the tube jig is that if you miss you will sometimes get {another bite right away. When using minnows for bait, you miss your done.
Once the crappies move in, the action can get very fast. This spring crappie pattern usually lasts a few weeks. After that the crappies move slightly deeper staging for the spawn and then move back in. So why wait for the crappies to spawn? You waited all winter. Early spring crappie fishing is a real bonus.
This is a very special time of year for Crappie Fishing so take your children or a friend along.
About the Author:
Was employed by A.T. T. for twenty eight years after four years in the U.S.Navy. Owned a bait and tackle convenience retail business for twelve seasons in Wisconsin before retiring. Happily married with three adult children and three grandchildren. Still love fishing, local wildlife, snowmobiling, church,parties, and outdoor activities. Enjoy writing on various subjects to keep my mine active while enjoying my senior years.
Learn how to catch crappie here