Crappie Time

[TOXIC]

Well, our first trip out to the Crappie hunting grounds on the Potomac was pretty epic.  Not to say that 95% of the time we catch fish is too much to ask but on this day there were some bigger fish to be caught.  Muddy water, super high tide (see pic) and a ripping current due to a lunar tide made it interesting but we caught well over 50 fish and just kept a few for pictures then released.  Water temp was still in the high 50's and that's a little warm for me to keep fish for the table.  The longer I wait and the colder the water, the better the fish tastes and firms up the meat.  I would venture a guess, my next trip out will be what I call a grocery store trip....time to bring them home for dinner!!  We caught them 2 ways.  First was a slip float (I prefer the type with the long tubes out both ends) and a 1/16th oz ball headed jig rigged with either a 2 inch tube or 2 inch curly tail grub.  I was using Yamamoto baits but alas, Yamamoto has discontinued their Crappie line and when I am out, I will have to switch gears to another brand.  Second way and the most productive was to cast the same jig and bait without the float and do a slow retrieve.  Key was to use light line.  My partner was using 4lb test and I was using 6lb and both worked but when I tried a rod with 8lb, I couldnt get the small jighead to run deep enough.  There's just something about going out and getting your string pulled all day and it was a bonus that we got some of the bigger fish to bite.  

[MrFrost]

Nice!  I have finally got my crappie setup completed, now I just need to find them and catch them!  Lol.  I've never caught crappie, and my intent would be food for the table, so your comment about water temp and firmer meat actually makes sense.  I never thought about that.

[TOXIC]

9 minutes ago, MrFrost said:

Nice!  I have finally got my crappie setup completed, now I just need to find them and catch them!  Lol.  I've never caught crappie, and my intent would be food for the table, so your comment about water temp and firmer meat actually makes sense.  I never thought about that.

The nice thing about crappie is that if you find one, you found a school.  We sat on one spot and probably caught 20.  They are notorious light biters and many times you just feel weight and a light weight slip float helps.  You just have to be patient and let them take it and be careful, you don't need a lot of hookset, just a sideways sweep works best.  Good luck!!  

[Troy85]

Nice.  This is probably the most information I've ever gotten from a crappie fishermen.  Usually they are more tight lipped than tournament bass anglers, at least where I fish.  

[Catt]

Best eating fish that swims ?

 

@TOXIC ya need to do a Crappie thread!

[Koz]

When out bass fishing I've caught crappie on lipless cranks. What was really weird (to me) is that even in summer the crappie's felt cold to the touch.

[Troy85]

25 minutes ago, Catt said:

Best eating fish that swims ?

 

@TOXIC ya need to do a Crappie thread!

I 2nd this.  My wife loves crappie, but I only ever catch them on accident.   

[BassinCNY]

Thanks for the tip on the temperature effecting the taste. I enjoy catching them but have always thought that their reputation as a great eating fish was over rated. Maybe that's why.

[TOXIC]

52 minutes ago, Catt said:

Best eating fish that swims ?

 

@TOXIC ya need to do a Crappie thread!

Net time out I'll pay more attention to the details and do a more in-depth write up.  I have a write up I did a few years ago that I'll look for.  As we all know, depending on your location these fish can be in any number pf places.  I have trolled for them on open water and fished them on structure more often but there are some constants.  The one thing you have to figure out is the color of baits to use because they can be hyper color sensitive.  When I guided crappie trips, I used live minnows.  Fun fishing I only use artificials.  As for the taste, a lot of folks eat them year round.  I just prefer them out of as cold and as clean water I can find.  The cold water firms up the meat and the cleaner the water, the "crisper" the taste and the more you get that great traditional crappie flavor.  For freshwater fish, crappie are right behind walleye for my favorite and then perch.  

 

[Mobasser]

Love crappie fishing too. Catchem and eatin em both!

 

[Mobasser]

4 hours ago, TOXIC said:

Well, our first trip out to the Crappie hunting grounds on the Potomac was pretty epic.  Not to say that 95% of the time we catch fish is too much to ask but on this day there were some bigger fish to be caught.  Muddy water, super high tide (see pic) and a ripping current due to a lunar tide made it interesting but we caught well over 50 fish and just kept a few for pictures then released.  Water temp was still in the high 50's and that's a little warm for me to keep fish for the table.  The longer I wait and the colder the water, the better the fish tastes and firms up the meat.  I would venture a guess, my next trip out will be what I call a grocery store trip....time to bring them home for dinner!!  We caught them 2 ways.  First was a slip float (I prefer the type with the long tubes out both ends) and a 1/16th oz ball headed jig rigged with either a 2 inch tube or 2 inch curly tail grub.  I was using Yamamoto baits but alas, Yamamoto has discontinued their Crappie line and when I am out, I will have to switch gears to another brand.  Second way and the most productive was to cast the same jig and bait without the float and do a slow retrieve.  Key was to use light line.  My partner was using 4lb test and I was using 6lb and both worked but when I tried a rod with 8lb, I couldnt get the small jighead to run deep enough.  There's just something about going out and getting your string pulled all day and it was a bonus that we got some of the bigger fish to bite.  

Toxic, we've done good with the Bobby Garland line of jigs, and standard generic tube jigs also.And I agree with Catt. Best tastin fish that swims! 

[Team9nine]

4 hours ago, Catt said:

Best eating fish that swims ?

 

@TOXIC ya need to do a Crappie thread!

Start a crappie thread and I might post more there than I do on the bass forums  Definitely one of my favorite fish to chase. Been half a dozen times in just the past 3 weeks or so - lol.

 

Nice job, TOXIC

 

[slonezp]

My contribution to the thread

 

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[TOXIC]

So if I want to start a thread on "All things Crappie" where is the best place to put it?  Is it possible to maybe get a sub page dedicated to just Crappie?  Seems to be a lot of interest.  

[Choporoz]

Maybe this is it

[Todd2]

I love me some Crappie fishing, no matter how you pronounce it...lol. Here it's "Croppy".

 

I fish vertical around standing timber in the mouths of coves here most of the time. Just use electronics to find the depth. But I know an older gentleman that wears them out casting Beetle spins.

[NittyGrittyBoy]

Springtime off the St. John's in Palatka, Fla we catch absolute slabs. 2lb average all on artificials. I like dropshotting shallows with Bobby Garland straight tail shads

 

Another crappie (specks) guy here! 

[bassh8er]

Caught a limit this past Saturday vertically fishing an ice fishing spoon with my ice rod and Vexilar dropped over the side of the boat.

 

My dad and buddy were fishing with conventional tackle and I outfished them 38-7

[Dorado]

I love crappie fishing from a kayak! I got advice earlier this year from @everythingthatswims And it changed my life lol! I won’t share his secret but Bobby Garland Baby Shads and 2.8” Keitech Swing Impacts mated with Roadrunner jigs have now put me into the slab arena. 

 

For numbers, 2” grubs are a staple here in AZ and slip bobber rigging Powerbait Atomic Tubes around submerged trees make for action packed days. 

 

During spawns, slow rolling gold bladed beetle spins get viscious strikes that make it feel more like bass fishing than conventional panfishing. 

 

Lastly, when they are shallow, drop shotting 2” Gulp Alive! Minnows (Black Shad please) with long leaders feels like you’re cheating at times. 

 

With all all of these artificial options, I could never go back to the hassle of fishing with live minnows. Just me personally. Power to the crappie!

[everythingthatswims]

7 hours ago, Dorado said:

I love crappie fishing from a kayak! I got advice earlier this year from @everythingthatswims And it changed my life lol! I won’t share his secret but Bobby Garland Baby Shads and 2.8” Keitech Swing Impacts mated with Roadrunner jigs have now put me into the slab arena. 

 

For numbers, 2” grubs are a staple here in AZ and slip bobber rigging Powerbait Atomic Tubes around submerged trees make for action packed days. 

 

During spawns, slow rolling gold bladed beetle spins get viscious strikes that make it feel more like bass fishing than conventional panfishing. 

 

Lastly, when they are shallow, drop shotting 2” Gulp Alive! Minnows (Black Shad please) with long leaders feels like you’re cheating at times. 

 

With all all of these artificial options, I could never go back to the hassle of fishing with live minnows. Just me personally. Power to the crappie!

Spread the word, I don't mind! Don't really have a name for it. We just call it "the rig".