One of the most popular game fish that anglers love fishing for are crappie. Before you head to the water this fall, make sure you know the following tactics to help you reel in the biggest crappie.
Crappie Basics
There are two kinds: white crappie and black crappie. Both live in freshwater and are schooling fish. They prefer to hide near underwater structures, like fallen trees, weed beds, and other submerged structures. They tend to stay in deep water but do come to the shore when they are feeding, which typically happens at dawn or dusk. They also are found in shallow water when spawning. Fishing for crappie varies based on the time of the year you are fishing for them.
Types of Lures and Baits
The right lures and baits can help you to attract and hook a crappie. Crappie have excellent eyesight, and as such, the coloring on your lures and bait have to look realistic. We recommend that you look for lures and bait that mimics the coloring and appearance of their food source. This includes minnows, small crayfish, and insects. The color of crappie food is typically silver or grey but can vary based on the area you are fishing in.
If you are looking to fish for crappie, most anglers recommend using both live and artificial lures to draw a crappie in. Live and artificial lures help to stand out in dense vegetation, while also making the bait look life-like.
Fall Crappie Fishing Tactics
Wade In — Spring is considered to be one of the best times to hunt crappie. This is because it is spawning season and crappie are in abundance in shallow water. But this doesn't mean you can't hunt these fish in the fall. If you are looking to hunt for them in the fall, try to go on cooler mornings or evenings, when they will likely be closer to the shoreline. Put on your waders and hop in the water.
Spider Rig
— Crappie can be attracted by a variety of lures and bait. Instead of wasting your time figuring out what works best, send out five to ten lines with various bait and lures to quickly find out which ones get nibbles.
Be Persistent
— The last tip is to be persistent. Change up your bait, change your location and continue to send your line out. It may take some time, but eventually, you will likely get a bite or two.
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