Bert Swope
Crappies spawn in the shallows of lakes and reservoirs and are the Best Way to Catch Early Spring Crappie. You can find crappies in the 8-12 foot depths by fan-casting. To rig a jig, choose a light 6-7 foot spinning outfit and 4-8 pound line. Pause reeling to allow the lure to sink deeper. The best retrieve technique is a smooth one.
Spider rigging
The best time of year for spider rigging is late winter to early spring, when crappie are in the peak of their growth cycle before they spawn. Crappie will often move from deep cover to shallow waters to spawn. Early spring is when they’re most active and aggressive, and they’ll smash your bait if it moves too quickly. To find these spawning areas, start by working ledges from shallow flats to cover.
To catch early spring crappie, you’ll need to find shallow, cover-oriented waters. This will allow you to get as close to the cover as possible. You can also fish around existing cover, such as logs, stumps, and logs. Use live minnows or stinger style plastics. If you are targeting spawning crappie, try changing colors as often as possible. A new color may trigger a lockjaw bite and a different bait may be a better choice for these fish.
If you’re fishing with a spider rig, use a single bank sinker and a few drop lines, spaced about 18 inches apart. Attach each drop line to the main line with a swivel or loop knot. Tie the baits to the drop lines with jigs, Aberdeen hooks, or live minnows. The bait should be about one ounce, so you can easily catch a few pounds of crappie using this method.
Jig/live minnow combos
Whether you’re attempting to catch crappies on a lake, pond, or other body of water, live bait is the most effective approach for catching the fish. A variety of baits are available to lure these elusive species, and they all have a similar action. The key to a successful crappie jig/live minnow combo is to find a size that works well for the specific species you’re targeting.
A two-inch live minnow is the best bait to use on a crankbait/live minnow combo. It is important to hook the minnow behind the head, as you would with a grub. The jig hook point can be inserted into the mouth of the minnow and should come out of the minnow’s mouth, but it will sustain a much longer duration in the water. Jig/live minnow combos work well when fishing in shallow bodies of water and are effective for catching bass.
To find a school of crappie, use a fish finder or an electronic device. Position your boat so that you can drop the jig above the school. Crappie feed up, and this method is best used in shallower bodies of water during early spring. Be sure to use patience when jigging with this technique. A twitching action on the jig tip will replicate the movement of a live minnow as it descends.
Comb-casting
Early spring is the best time to comb-cast for crappies. Crappies are often found under docks or overhanging tree limbs. They will often strike a jig set up like an arrow and pause reeling while it falls deeper into the water. This technique is very effective for fishing in areas that are difficult to access. It is best to anchor your boat several feet away from the crappie to prevent your lure from being snagged.
Crappies will move to deeper water as the temperature increases. They will start moving towards the shoreline over a few weeks, starting their slow journey to deeper waters. The transition period usually lasts several weeks, and the fish will become more active as they move closer to shore. Crappies will first move into shallower waters than in winter, typically within 10 to 20 feet of water.
Jig/float combos
In most waters, early spring crappie will begin feeding in order to build their energy before spawning. If you’re fishing from a small boat or are using a fish finder, you can use a jig/float combo to attract these fish. This combo allows you to control the depth of your presentation, which will increase the odds of catching these early spring fish.
Crappie typically make their way to their spawning grounds when water temperatures reach a comfortable level. They usually prefer to stay in shallow coves with cover, but larger crappie are often found over main-lake humps or channel edges adjacent to shallow flats. Crappie will often leave the shallows during cold fronts, and their favorite place to retreat is underwater humps.
A jig and float combo will allow you to fish in shallow water in areas where the water is warmer. Jig/float combos are great for this because you can present your bait slowly, and when you see a bite indicator disappear, you know you’ve got a bite. Jig tails are also thin and perfect for bobbing in ripples.
Bug-A-Boo Jigs
When fishing for early spring crappie, you can catch them in two ways: they are either preparing to spawn or are spawning. Crappie spawn on structure or cover, and casting a jig to these areas can be a great way to pick off these fish. The jig is equipped with marabou feathers, which pulsate and quiver to attract crappies. A jig fishing technique that is sure to produce fish is to hold the jig steady next to the cover you are fishing. Then, you can tremble the rod slightly, making the bait lift and send out vibrations. This action will draw the crappie in for a good attack.
Anglers can position themselves on prime Three Cs real estate and target weedy and woody cover. When fishing in early spring, look for the spawning areas right before sunset. The best bite is usually right before dusk, so a quick end of day trip can be productive. As long as you have a good bait, you’ll be rewarded.
Fishing with a bobber
If you are looking for the best technique for catching early spring crappie, use a bobber. These baits work better in deep water, but you can also use them in shallow waters to attract them. They like to feed near bottom structures and cover. These baits are also very effective in the post-spawn period when they are not yet fully grown. Using a bobber and using a slow, steady retrieve will get you more bites.
Weather patterns in spring are incredibly variable, so you need to use a bobber when you are fishing for crappies. Early morning moisture can evaporate into the sky and become cloudy, while wind and rain can settle in overnight. This offers a great dynamic change in conditions for crappie. Water temperature is the key to successful fishing during this time, as it is the main factor in their movements and bites.
Fishing in creeks
If you’re looking for the best time to fish for crappie in creeks in early spring, you should find an area with standing trees. Ideally, these should be situated outside the creek’s main flow. Crappie love to hang around wood cover and undercuts, so look for these areas. Creeks that have bullrush-lined inlets are also excellent places to look. Just be aware that water flow can temporarily lower fishing quality.
Before you go out fishing, check to see if any spawning crappie are showing up in the area. This is the time to switch colors if you’re having trouble locating them. Changing colors will also increase your chances of hooking one. If you’re in doubt, you can also troll for them with small minnows. Keep a buoy nearby to help you mark your location in case you catch any.
After the spawn, crappie will be moving deeper. Look for areas with drop-offs and points where they may be feeding. Casting small spinnerbaits and in-line spinners is another good option. If you’d like to avoid the weeds, you can drift a jig with a floating fly line. When fishing in the creek, make sure to use a 7-8 foot monofilament leader between the jig and the fly line.
Float fishing
In the early spring, floating above a split shot is the most effective way to catch this freshwater fish. While a large jig can work well, a small jig is also effective. It is important to imitate the two main types of food that crappies feed on – insects and small fish. You can also decoy the bait by using soft fishing baits or jigs with tied-on materials.
Before going out on a float, it is essential to get a good pair of sunglasses. Wavy Label sunglasses are affordable and great for spotting shallow fish. Good sunglasses can also help you see fish in deeper water. Crappies often make excellent first-fish for the fish fry. You can catch many species of crappies during this early spring. Here are some tips to make the most of your time fishing.
When temperatures rise to the middle to upper fifty-five degrees, crappies will stage for spawning and dump their eggs. Once these temperatures stabilize, crappies will start roaming the shallows in good numbers. If you are looking for the best way to catch early spring crappie, then float fishing is the best way to go. The warmer the water, the more active crappie will be.
Early Spring Crappie Fishing Tips
