3 Tips on How to Catch Crappie

The distinctively speckled freshwater fish, the crappie is a highly prized and a popular target for many anglers. Not because of its aggressive hits (“wait, was that a bite?”) or the powerful runs and leaping ability (crappie often just lie on one side and let you reel them in across the surface). It is the prospect of a plate of fried crappie keeps many anglers on the water. And when you catch one, you usually can catch enough for a “mess.” If you want to learn how to catch fish, specially Crappies follow these tips:

3 Crappie Fishing Tips

1. Crappie love Brush Piles

Crappie love submerged timber and brush piles. These fish hold tight to the habitat and may not venture far away, so you are going to have to risk a snag or two and get in there.

2. Use Minnows as Bait

They will hit good crappie lures such as tiny jigs, spoons, or even crankbaits but the serious crappie angler doesn’t point the boat to a brush pile without a bucket of fathead minnows or small golden shiners.

3. Add Bobbers to your Line

Depth is critical. Crappie often suspend at a certain depth. When you catch one, pay close attention to the depth and quickly get another minnow down to that point. Slip bobbers will help, especially with casting and deep target zones.

I rarely target crappie but sometimes find them while bass fishing. I make sure to record the time of year, location, lure, etc. in case the next outing is a crappie trip. Crappies are prone to stunting and can be a challenge to manage. Be sure to check regulations in your state as harvest sizes and quantities may change.