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If you haven't tried Winter Crappie fishing, you're missing out on one of the most productive and reliable times to catch this tasty panfish. Finding Crappie during the Winter months isn't that hard. With a fish finder, a little knowledge and some time on your favorite body of water, you can be catching slab Crappie when other fishermen are at home doing honey-do chores.
One thing really nice about Winter Crappie fishing is once you find the pattern on a given body of water, Winter Crappie will normally hold that same pattern for many days, sometimes weeks. Of course, a storm front may shut them down for a day or so, but generally they'll come right back, hungry as ever!
Start your search for Winter Crappie along deep channels that have a lot of brush. Don't be surprised if you find the deep brush but the Crappie are suspended near the surface. This happens quite a bit during the Winter, especially on those warmer than normal days. Also be on the look out for man-made brush piles in deep water. These are Crappie magnets. You might even want to consider sinking a few yourself!
Winter Crappie can become lethargic. When this happens, which is a lot during Winter, look for them holding tight to brush in deep water hangouts like along submerged channels. There are times you can also find Crappie up in shallow water. One of these times is when you have several days of warm sunny weather.
Use the right tackle for Crappie fishing in the Wintertime.
Winter Crappie fishing requires you to downsize your tackle. The same tackle you used back in the Summer and Spring will not be as effective in Winter. Light and Ultralight rods in the 6 to 7 foot range, small minnows or 1/32 ounce jigs and four pound test line are the norm. Crappie become sluggish and finicky in the Winter, and they won't chase bait. In fact, they want the bait right in front of their mouth during most of the Winter.
My favorite rod for Winter Crappie fishing is a 6 or 7 foot light to ultralight spinning rod with a good back, four pound ultra thin line and small tube jigs or ice fishing jigs in the 1/32 ounce range. Crappie prefer smaller baits in the Winter, even the slabs do! Make sure your rod is Graphite, you'll need it to feel the soft bites of Crappie at this time of year.
As for terminal gear, I use 4 pound test and jigs in the 1/32 ounce range. If you prefer minnows, use the smaller #6 Tru Turn gold aberdeen hooks and the smallest minnows you can buy. Ice fishing jigs also work well, even on Southern lakes. You'll catch more Crappie in the Winter with small line and small bait.
Crappie in the Winter won't chase down bait like they do during the spawn and during Summer. This means you must put your offering in front of their nose and leave it there. In fact, many times I've had more success by just keeping my bait still. Make it easy for the Crappie to eat your bait.
Winter Crappie can be some of the easiest fishing you'll do. But you won't catch them unless you're out on the wate with them! |
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