Crappie Fishing Tactics For Fall Crappie
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
By Billy Bob Desroleux
Next to Spring, Fall can be the most productive time to be out on the lake fishing for Crappie. The water is cooling off and Crappie feed more and more aggressive. Crappie fishing in the Fall is some of the most enjoyable and fruitful fishing of the year.
After the first few cold fronts of the Fall move through your area, look for feeding Crappie near the first drop off away from the bank. If you're fishing a South shore, you may find Fall Crappie even shallower than that. South shores typically heat up quicker and therefor attract baitfish. Where you find baitfish, you'll soon find hungry Crappie right behind them.
Fall Crappie can be difficult to pin down in the Fall when they scatter to feed. I like to use multiple rods with slip corks fishing jigs or minnows at a variety of depths until I find the Crappie. One I start catching fish at a certain depth, I then will set all my rods to fish that depth.
As most of you know, the best time to go fishing in the Fall is just prior to a major cold front. This is the time you can find Crappie very shallow filling up their stomachs on everything from Shad to insects.
As the front passes, expect the Crappie to move back off the bank, possibly as far back to their deep water drop off.
If you're having trouble finding Fall Crappie after a cold front. Slow down your presentation and use smaller jigs or minnows. Post cold front Crappie won't chase bait very far, so make sure you put it right in front of their face. If you find them holding over a break or drop off, use a tightline approach to target feeding Crappie.
Typically the cold temps after a Fall front doesn't last long. As the days warm up, you'll find the Crappie moving back shallow again. If the water is still a little cool, then start your search on a South facing bank and work your way out.
South winds can blow baitfish against the shore, presenting easy pickings for hungry Crappie. Use a Spider Rig or a Float and Jig rig to target these fish and fill your live well! Floats and jigs can be fished faster than minnows, plus since there is not rebaiting, you can keep your jigs in the water longer, catching more fish.
After the first few cold fronts of the Fall move through your area, look for feeding Crappie near the first drop off away from the bank. If you're fishing a South shore, you may find Fall Crappie even shallower than that. South shores typically heat up quicker and therefor attract baitfish. Where you find baitfish, you'll soon find hungry Crappie right behind them.
Fall Crappie can be difficult to pin down in the Fall when they scatter to feed. I like to use multiple rods with slip corks fishing jigs or minnows at a variety of depths until I find the Crappie. One I start catching fish at a certain depth, I then will set all my rods to fish that depth.
As most of you know, the best time to go fishing in the Fall is just prior to a major cold front. This is the time you can find Crappie very shallow filling up their stomachs on everything from Shad to insects.
As the front passes, expect the Crappie to move back off the bank, possibly as far back to their deep water drop off.
If you're having trouble finding Fall Crappie after a cold front. Slow down your presentation and use smaller jigs or minnows. Post cold front Crappie won't chase bait very far, so make sure you put it right in front of their face. If you find them holding over a break or drop off, use a tightline approach to target feeding Crappie.
Typically the cold temps after a Fall front doesn't last long. As the days warm up, you'll find the Crappie moving back shallow again. If the water is still a little cool, then start your search on a South facing bank and work your way out.
South winds can blow baitfish against the shore, presenting easy pickings for hungry Crappie. Use a Spider Rig or a Float and Jig rig to target these fish and fill your live well! Floats and jigs can be fished faster than minnows, plus since there is not rebaiting, you can keep your jigs in the water longer, catching more fish.
About the Author:
Catching Crappie is a passion for Billy Bob. He's been guiding fishermen for 25 years and enjoys teaching people about Crappie fishing. His second passion is teaching others how to catch Crappie at any time of the year. You can find more free Crappie fishing information by clicking one of the links above.
Posted byBertie at 2:40 AM
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