Crappie Fishing: 6 Tips from a Pro Angler

Crappie fishing is a popular pastime for many anglers. They are tasty to eat and fun to catch. Here are six times on how to fish for crappie.

Best Gear and Bait

1.  Use a light-action spinning rod with a light spinning reel to help you feel the fish and set the hook more easily. 4-6 lb. test braid or fluorocarbon are good options for clear water. “What I like to do with fluorocarbon leaders is tie the jig using a loop knot, so the jig is always hanging horizontally, which seems to be the key for these fish,” says Crestliner Pro Jason Mitchell.

2. Crappie are known to be attracted to small bait. Live minnows, small jigs, soft plastic grubs, and tube baits are all effective lures for crappie. Experiment with different colors and styles to see what the fish are biting. Crappie have soft mouths, so it’s important to reel in slowly and carefully to avoid damaging the fish.

Location, Location

3. Look for structures such as underwater brush piles, weed beds, drop-offs, and other forms of cover where crappie may be hiding. “There’s a lot of different habitats where these fish will build a bed or a next,” says Mitchell.

4. Pay attention to depth. Crappie are often found in more shallow water. They move up and down with changes in the water temperature and light levels. Keep your bait at the depth where the fish are feeding.

Patience is Key

5. Crappie are sensitive to movement and vibrations, so keep your bait slow and steady to avoid spooking them. Pay close attention to your line for any signs of a bite.

6. Be patient. Crappie can be finicky at times, so keep fishing until you find them.

Need a boat that’s perfect for crappie fishing? Check out Crestliner’s XF Series of bass and crappie fishing boats.