Q and A

 

Why do my minnows die when I am fishing in deep water?

 

If your minnows die quickly while you are fishing in deep water, you may be fishing too deep.  Water below the thermocline can have a bad pH and contain lower amounts of oxygen causing the minnows to die.  Crappie, just like the minnows, do not find this water suitable and will stay above this thermocline.  Try raising your bait depth 1-2 feet at a time until you find the right depth.

 

How do I fish for crappie in a current?

 

Crappie prefer protected areas.  Try fishing slack water or eddies.  You will find that crappie will be on the back side of the cover.  Be sure to use a slow moving presentation and keep your lures moving with the current.  If you are fishing an area with a changing current be sure to check drop offs and protected areas when the current increases.

 

Are there any good places to find crappie in the summer or fall besides deep water?

 

Shady coves and covered boat docks offer slightly cooler water and less light penetration in the hot summer.  Try using long poles or shooting the jig into hard to reach places.

 

Can I catch fish when the lake turns over?

 

Good luck!   This makes it difficult to catch crappie.  When this occurs in late summer or fall, the top layer of the water becomes colder than the water beneath it.  This layer becomes heavier than the beneath layer and sinks to the bottom forcing the lower layer to the top.  When this happens; the pH, oxygen content, and coloration of the water change quickly and fish become stressed.

 

Why can’t I catch the big slab crappie in mid summer?

 

Because of the size of these fish, they are believed to function better in cooler water and they might become semi-dormant during the hot summer months.  The big fish may only feed enough to get by until the water cools to an optimal temperature.  If the large fish is going to feed, it is less likely to waste energy on a small minnow or jig, so try using larger jigs or minnow.

 

What is the best temperature for catching crappie?

 

The best temp is around 65 – 70 degrees.  Look for the warmer water in the spring and the cooler water in the summer and fall.