Old School Crappie Fishing Family Secrets

One of the most difficult and sometimes frustrating things that a new or experienced crappie angles find when trying to identify what are good tips to catch crappie is the “what” “when” “where” and “how” When selecting the best bait for crappie fishing. We as fisherman know on any given day we can come up empty handed. If we don’t catch any crappie we will start asking ourselves what did I do wrong today? What tackle for crappie fishing should I of used? Of course as you become a more experienced fisherman there are some intangibles when fishing that are simply out of our control and should be noted as such. The Trick good old Mother Nature plays on us from time to time is a prime example. The key to becoming a more consistent crappie fisherman is learning tips to catch crappie that are manageable. In the following paragraphs I am going to identify some very simple guidelines that I think you can use to determine how to catch crappie at your local fishing hole.

Guideline #1 Visit your local State Department of Natural Resources and your local bait shops to get some valuable fishing information about the crappie population in your area. You need to find out what type of crappie fishing rigs are being used to catch fish. You need to find out the average size of the fish being caught and if any larger crappies are being caught. You need to find out what types of crappie jigs are best, what size and what color. The color doesn’t mater as much as matching the size and the to the forage fish that crappies are eating, such as crappie minnows. You Can verify very quickly what the fish are eating after you catch a few and check the contents of their stomachs. Based on what you find you can adjust your crappie rigging and crappie baits accordingly.

Guideline #2 The best time to catch crappie in your local area is the spring season. This is a ideal time to get into the sport of crappie fishing if you are a new fisherman. The crappie fish are very active and getting ready for the annual spring spawn, and they will be feeding constantly. Also after the spring spawn they will be feeding through out the remainder of the spring and throughout the summer on the newly hatched forage crappie minnow fry and the adults. The fish will be plentiful around boat docks and submerged logs and trees. During the spawn you will need to fish directly on top of the nest. You will get many crappie strikes if you do this because the crappies are extremely protective when they are on the nest. You can use a variety of different crappie rigging to catch these silvery specks. At this time of year crappie minnow rigs work great because the fish are feeding heavily. If you are a beginner I would recommend using live bait. If you are an experienced fisherman you can use a variety of crappie fishing rigs this time of year. As a rule of the thumb, use larger jig sizes of 1/4oz. to target larger fish. Use 1/64oz to 1/16oz to target smaller fish. Again color is not as important as matching the size and the look to what the crappie are actually eating. To verify that your selection is correct open up a few fish after you catch them and see what is in the fishes stomachs.

Guideline #3 In the summer months your choice of crappie fishing rigging and crappie bait can vary on the size of fish you want to target. As the water temperature warms to 70 degrees Fahrenheit the forage fish such as crappie fishing minnows begin to spawn. And will continue to spawn throughout late spring and well into summer or until the water temperature approaches 80 degrees Fahrenheit. The smaller crappie will feed off the fry while the larger crappie will feed off of the adults. The size of your crappie baits will mater in the summer. For example if you want to catch crappie in the 1lb range you will need to use larger crappie live bait and larger crappie jig sizes. If the fish are feeding on threadfin shad you will need to match the size and look of these forage fish if you want to be successful. A good way to create your imitation is to catch a few shad and use them to make your crappie baits.

Guideline #4 Special fishing situations will need special crappie rigging preparation. There are only two common situations that I will talk about here. The first is how to catch crappie if the water is very muddy or stained. There are some very easy tips to catch crappie you can use here. Crappies have very good eye site and outstanding hearing. If you come across situations where the water is stained and muddy, then you need to dress up your crappie baits to hone in on the crappies good hearing because there line of sight will very limited. Attach some shiny rotating blades to your line just about the hooks. Then attach a line rattle. A crappie will zone in on the noise of the rattle and then it gets close the crappie will see and go after the rotating blade thinking it is a wounded crappie fishing minnow. If the water is extremely clear you will need to use a very small diameter line, fire line is good for this application. You will need to sharpen up your crappie bait imitation skills. You will need to use crappie rigging, and crappie baits in the 1/64oz to 1/32oz sizes.

Mark Fleagle is an Expert Author At Ezinearticles.com. and has over 30 years of fishing experience who has written 100’s of useful fishing articles. Would you like to max out your catch on your next fishing trip? Blow your fishing buddies out of the water and get your bragging rights today! Also don’t forget to get your free copy of “78 Fishing Discoveries Unleashed” http://www.oldfishinghole.com

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Old School Crappie Fishing Family Secrets

If you are a beginner or experienced crappie fishing angler it doesn’t matter. Even the most experienced fisherman do their home work before they try fishing new and unfamiliar waters, or they won’t be catching any crappie. It is very important when you are a recreational fisherman to have a good edge so you are not wasting any of your precious time when you are out on the water.

#1 Experienced Crappie Anglers in the south always follow the Threadfhin Shad ( Dorosoma petenense ) because they know that is where the big crappie will be. You need to check with your local state department of natural resources because these shad do not live in the crappie habitat areas. Here’s the following areas you will find them: West of the Appalachian mountains , north to Kentucky, west to East Texas, south to the Rio Grand drainage, and east to Florida. Also California and Arizona have introduced these crappie bait fish to their large reservoirs. You will find the Threadfhin Shad ( Dorosoma petenense ) typically where there is a noticeable current and they will stay in the upper 5 feet of water, so set all your crappie fishing rigs accordingly.

#2 Small pounds and Lake water impoundments that are adjacent too, and have access to a main body of water such as large rives and lakes are prime feeding grounds for crappies. Look for drop offs and scattered tree and isolated stumps that are located around the perimeter will be you be your best spots in these areas.

#3 One of the best and easiest crappie fishing locations to find is a isolated stump or sunken tree. You should never pass up one of these areas if you are fishing from the bank or fishing from a boat, because these areas always hold a good population of crappie.

#4 If you live in the south never pass up Cypress trees because they will definitely hold good populations of crappie sometime during the year. These areas are very productive for catching crappie. In the spring time fish the cypress located in shallow shoreline areas. In the winter and summer fish the cypress trees that are located near deeper water, where the crappie have a easy access to the deeper water.

#5 One of the best thing that the department of natural resources started doing a few years ago is constructing man made fish shelters and structures. These areas are a gold mind for crappie fishing and should not be overlooked. You can get a map to these areas at your local department of natural resources. Now the next time your out looking for the ultimate crappie catching hole use this crappie fishing information to your advantage! Good Luck On Your Next Fishing Trip!

Mark Fleagle is an Expert Author At Ezinearticles.com. and has over 30 years of fishing experience who has written 100’s of useful fishing articles. Would you like to max out your catch on your next fishing trip? Blow your fishing buddies out of the water and get your bragging rights today! Also don’t forget to get your free copy of “78 Fishing Discoveries Unleashed” http://www.oldfishinghole.com

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Old School Crappie Fishing Family Secrets

How To Use Crappie Live Bait

Rigging Crappie Live Minnows

It is very important to offer your crappie live bait presentation in just the right way so as to make the crappie get excited about hitting minnow bait presentation. Another Important element is how you hook your crappie minnow. The Minnow needs to be hooked so it swims freely while attached to the hook. Remember, you are trying to imitate a wounded minnow so a crappie will think it is an easy meal. I want to address an excellent method of making a crappie minnow rig that is very successful. And don’t forget to read the last paragraph because I don’t want you to miss out on a rarely used crappie minnow jigging technique.

Making A Three Way Swivel Dual Crappie Minnow Rig

You can purchase these rigs commercially but if you want to save a few bucks here’s a step by step procedure to make your own.

Step#1 Get yourself some fire line line 8-20lb test. (note: a 20lb test of fire line has the dia. Of 6lb mono-filament line.)

Step#2 Get yourself some 3 way swivels. The three way swivel allows the crappie minnow to swim freely in a 360deg motion.

Step#3 Get some 1/4oz egg or as they are commonly called “bass sinkers”.

Step#4 Cut 2 pieces of fire line approximately 10” long, tie a crappie hook on one end of each line.

Step#5 Repeat Step 4, but cut 2 pieces 12” long.

Step#6 Release enough line from your reel so you have plenty of room to do your crappie live bait tackle tying. Tie your first three way swivel to the line.

Step#7 Tie one of crappie hook leaders you made in step 4 to the open eye on the 3 way swivel that is 90 degrees clockwise. There should be one open eyelet when you get done, that is pointing strait downward.

Step#8 Pick up one of the 12” inch pieces of fire line you cut in step 5, then tie one end to the last remaining open eyelet of the first 3 way swivel that is tied directly to the line coming out of your fishing reel. Now pick up your second 3 way swivel and tie the top eyelet to the other end of the 12” line you just tied.

Step#9 Tie one of crappie hook leaders you made in step 4 to the open eye on the 3 way swivel that is 90 degrees clockwise. There should be one open eyelet when you get done, that is pointing strait downward.

Step#10 Pick up the last 12” inch piece of fire line you cut in step 5, then tie one end to the last remaining open eyelet of the second 3 way swivel. Now pick up your 1/4oz Egg or Bass sinker and tie it to the other end of the 12” line.

Step#11 Now to complete your crappie live bait rig, hook a crappie fishing minnow in front or the back of the dorsal fin on both hooks. By hooking the minnow this way it should make the minnow swim freely, as if he were wounded.

The Little Used Crappie Jigging Minnow Technique.

Kill one of your crappie minnows and hook it in the left or right gill. Drop your line and start jigging the minnow. This will make your minnow appear to be wounded as it flutters down in the water.

Well folks that concludes this article I hope this will help you when you are using crappie live bait.

Check out Mark’s website to get some amazing fishing information and fishing articles loaded with fishing tips that really work! Also don’t forget to get your free copy of “78 Fishing Discoveries Unleashed” At: http://www.oldfishinghole.com Get Your Free Fishing Tips About live crappie bait Here!

Old School Crappie Fishing Family Secrets

The Crappie Minnow school” rigging technique

Crappie are a very curious species of fish and they love to attack schools of minnows to satisfy their amazing live bait appetite. The following crappie fishing technique will create a small, tight little group of minnows, each one with a hook in it. This small group of minnows simulates a minnow school and will get any hungry crappie’s attention.

You must get a good rod and reel combo the reel being a small spin cast Variety that accepts 4 to 6lb dia. Test line. The rod needs to be over 8ft long preferably 10ft plus. I personally use a set up that consist of a small spin cast reel that is rated for 6lb test line. The reel is loaded with a braided :fireline that is rated for 10lb test but has a dia. of 4lb test line. My rod is a two piece fly rod 12ft long that I purchased from bass pro shop.

Steps To Success The “Crappie Minnow” Rigging Technique

Step#1 Get yourself (3) three small three way swivels that work for crappie fishing.

Step#2 Go to bass pro shop or other tackle shops that sell loose beads and spinner blades that rotate 360 degrees. Make sure you purchase the smallest you can find. These spinners make simulate a small bait fish an make excellent crappie minnow baits

Step#3 You will need to find some bass or egg sinkers that are 1/4oz. You can find them at any department store fishing tackle area or any local bait shop.

Step#4 Get yourself some 10lb test fire line, this will have the dia. Of 4lb test, now load your spin cast reel.

Step#5 Get yourself 3 no. 1,1/0,2/0 Aberdeen gold crappie hooks and tie them to 3 pieces of fire line cut to 16” lengths using a Palomar knot. The length you want to end up at is 12 inches, so you need to trim the end opposite the hook.

Step#6 Now you are going to cut (3) pieces of fire line each 8” inches long, they will connect between the three way swivels.

Step#7 Release enough fire line out of your rod and reel combo and run it through the eyelets on your rod. Make sure you have enough line extending past the eyelets to work comfortably when you are tying on your crappie fishing rig tackle.

Step#8 Now orient your first three way swivel so when you tie the top eyelet to your fire line there is a second eyelet approximate 90degs located on the left hand side.

Step#9 Round up (2) of the beads and (1) of the spinner blades from step five, and slide one bead up the 12” inch leader and then slide on a spinner blade spinner blade. Next slide a second bead up the 12” leader behind the spinner blade. Now tie the end opposite the Aberdeen gold crappie hook. And tie it to the 90deg eyelet that is on the left hand side.

Step#10 Now pick up one of your 8” connecting pieces of fire line and tie one end to last remaining open eyelet of the first three way swivel , then tie the other end to the top eyelet of the second three way swivel, but make sure the open eyelet 90degs from the top is on the right hand side before you tie. When you have completed the tying process you should have approximately 6 inches between the two eyelets.

Step#11 Pick up one of the 12” leaders you made in step 5 and slide one bead up the line. Next slide one of the spinner blades up the line behind the first bead. Next, Slide another bead up the line behind the spinner blade. Now, tie the end of the leader without the Aberdeen gold crappie hook to the free eyelet on the second 3 way swivel that is on the right side 90degrees from the top.

Step#12 Tie one end of the 8” pieces of fire line you cut in step 6 to the bottom eyelet of the second 3 way swivel, then tie the other end of the line two your third 3 way swivel. Make sure the open eyelet that is 90degrees from the top on the second 3 way swivel is located on the right hand side. After your tying is done, you want to end up with approximately 6” of space between the second and third eyelet.

Step#13 Round up (2) of the beads and (1) of the spinner blades from step five, and slide one bead up the last 12” inch leader and then slide on a spinner blade. Next slide a second bead up the 12” leader behind the spinner blade. Now tie the end opposite the Aberdeen gold crappie hook. And tie it to the 90deg eyelet that is on the right hand side.

Step#14 Tie one end of the 8” pieces of fire line you cut in step 6 to the bottom eyelet of the third 3 way swivel, then tie the other end of the line too your 1/4oz egg or bass sinker. After your tying is done, you want to end up with approximately 6” of space between the third 3 way swivel and the sinker.

You have Now Completed your crappie fishing live bait rig! Good Job!

Mark Fleagle is an Expert Author At Ezinearticles.com. and has over 30 years of fishing experience who has written 100’s of useful fishing articles. Would you like to max out your catch on your next fishing trip? Blow your fishing buddies out of the water and get your bragging rights today! Also don’t forget to get your free copy of “78 Fishing Discoveries Unleashed” http://www.oldfishinghole.com

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