The Scouting Guide to Basic Fishing by The Boy Scouts of America

Author:The Boy Scouts of America
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781510742796
Publisher: Skyhorse
Published: 2019-10-22T16:00:00+00:00

CRAPPIES

Fishing for crappies in ponds and small lakes is similar to fishing for bluegills and sunfish. Always fish close to cover, especially where there are structure changes such as drop-offs. Stay on the move until you find fish. Crappies prefer minnows over other natural baits and they readily attack small jigs and spinners.

Long poles are a favorite with crappie fishermen. Many crappie experts quietly scull a small boat from one piece of cover to the next and use a panfish pole to dangle a float rig with a minnow or jig. They ease their bait down beside a tree or piece of brush, leave it for a moment, pick it up, set it down on the other side, then move to the next spot.

In small lakes and ponds, crappies scatter throughout such shallow cover, and this “hunt-and-peck” method of fishing is very effective. This is especially true in spring when the fish move into shallow cover to spawn. You can also use this method while wade-fishing or fishing from shore, if the cover is within reach.

Another good crappie technique is to use a slip-bobber rig (See “Rigs For Everyday Fishing,” page 69) with a spinning or spincast outfit. Hook a live minnow through the back onto a thin wire hook (#2) or through the lips on a lightweight ( or ounce) jig. Then cast this rig next to a weedline, brushpile, creek channel, or log.

If you don’t get a bite in five minutes, try somewhere else. If you get a bite, don’t yank if the bobber is just twitching. Wait for the bobber to start moving off or disappear beneath the surface before setting the hook. Crappies have soft mouths, so don’t set too hard or you’ll rip out the hook. Instead, lift up on your pole or rod, and you should have the fish.

If you don’t catch fish shallow, try deeper water, especially during hot summer months or on bright, clear days. Adjust your bobber up the line and drop your bait right in front of the dam or off the end of a pier. Try casting into the middle of the pond where the creek channel runs and see what happens. With this method of fishing, 6 to 10 feet is not too deep. There is less certainty in this technique, however, because you’re hunting for crappies in a random area. Once you catch one fish, though, you can bet there will be other crappies nearby.

To cover a lot of water, cast a 1⁄16-ounce jig or a small in-line spinner. After casting, count slowly as the bait sinks. After a few seconds, begin your retrieve. Try different counts (depths). If you get a bite, let the bait sink to the same count next time. You might have found the depth where crappies are holding. This technique is called the “countdown” method of fishing with a sinking bait.

When retrieving the jig, move it at a slow to moderate pace and alternate between a straight pull and a rising/falling path back through the water and mindful of whatever structure is there.

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