Spring means many things to many people but for fishermen it means one thing, “spawning season.” After a long cold winter, the anticipation of fish actively attacking your presentations in shallow water is what it’s all about. The crappie spawn in particular is what many of us look forward to most of all! Don’t get me wrong, I love catching bass, especially up shallow, but the appeal of crappie fishing isn’t just the catching, it’s the eating! They’re second on my list, right behind walleye, as my favorite table fare. Toss in a few morels to go with them and you’ve got yourself a meal fit for a king!
Springtime crappie fishing is another opportunity for everyone to get in on the action. With fish up shallow, just about anything that floats will get you where you need to be to catch them. If you can access the right cove, fishing from the bank will yield success.
In the spring, timing is everything. When water temperatures reach 68-72 degrees, crappie are spawning. At what depth depends on water clarity. In lowland lakes with stained water they can be in water a couple feet deep or less. It doesn’t require special tackle to catch them either. Spin-casting and spinning equipment works well and just a few baits will do the trick. The 4-8lb test line is best for casting the smaller, most effective, lures. Tube jigs, Road Runners, Crappie Sliders, and small crankbaits will all get bites depending on what depth the fish are holding.
Finally, keep an eye on local fishing reports and consider joining a “group” on Facebook to help you keep up with the latest information. Of course, even though we’re called “Bassin On A Budget”, we’ll have the latest crappie fishing information on the website as well.