The Crappies of Spring

Papermouths, slabs, specks – regardless of what you call them, big crappies on light tackle make for solid entertainment. While crappies are available to anglers year round, there is perhaps no time of year more conducive to catching the largest crappies in a body of water and in good numbers, than the early months of spring. With the advent of ice-out and water temperatures warming into the forty and fifty degree range, crappies will begin moving towards spawning areas in large numbers and staging in deeper water adjacent to spawning grounds. The use of quality electronics allows anglers the ability to eliminate water quickly and find schools of pre-spawn crappies. Once fish are located, utilize slip bobbers with crappie-sized jigs such as the Mister Twister Lightnin’ Bug or Tiger Bug tipped with a minnow.

As spring progresses and the water temperatures continue to warm, crappies move shallow to spawn. Anglers need to pay attention as crappies will, when necessary, build their nests in water depths greater than any other panfish. This means that depending on prevalent water and weather conditions, concentrations of fish may be deeper than expected; this is one reason why they are capable of successfully co-existing with carp. With crappies, peak spawning activity takes place in water with temperatures ranging from 61 to 68 degrees. In clear water, concentrations of crappies can often be located by using good quality polarized sunglasses like the Solar Bats I wear daily; in stained water, finding fish can be more challenging, but knowing where to look will greatly increase your odds. Large reed beds and shorelines with woody are excellent places to begin searching for spawning crappies. Stumps, submerged trees, brush piles and the like are all crappie magnets in the spring of the year.

Small in-line spinners such as the Mepps Aglia, Aglia Long, and Comet are excellent search lures for probing likely looking fishing spots; in addition, crankbaits like the original floating Rapala are effective presentations as well. Once crappies have been located, jig-and-minnow combinations below floats are an easy and productive manner to stay on the action as well as to convince less active fish to bite. To avoid spooking fish, use the smallest float and jig you are able to. A long rod and light line assist with making accurate casts with lighter lures, and also are a blast to fight big slabs on. Rods like the new St. Croix Panfish series are perfect for this style of fishing, and when coupled with a small quality spinning reel make the experience even more enjoyable.

Crappies do make for excellent table fare, and there is nothing wrong with keeping enough for a meal; that being said, it falls on each and every one of us as anglers to treat the resource with respect - keep only what you’re going to eat and be sure and let the big ones go. Spring is definitely crappie time, a perfect opportunity to take a kid fishing. I’ll see you on the water…

Tight lines,
Joel