Junctions are easy to find structures that should be a part
of every crappie fishermen’s bag of tricks.
These spots are good year round, but become very important when crappie are on the move.
Why Junctions?
Open water fishermen know that channels are primary
transportation routes for fish. Crappie use the channels as we use highways. Primary river channels are interstates, creek
channels are good two land roads, and feeder creeks are like secondary
roads. Channel junctions are a good
source of action because they not only are holding areas, but also are a pass
through spot for any fish traveling along either channel. Therefore, junctions are a great seasonal structure
that can become extremely active in fall.
Junctions are a great place for catching fish because they have
a variety of depths, drop offs, points, slopes, and cover.
What else could a fish want?
Factors
Wind This offers
no problem for crappie holding near a channel junction.
Strong Cold Front
A junction has the advantage of having many depths for fish to find a comfort zone.
Clouds or Rain Fishing
a junction during cloudy, rainy conditions normally will yield at least some success.
Sun Days with lots of sun are fine, but
fish may move deeper for cover.
Current This
can be a problem, but crappie will stay if they have some current breaks.
High Water More
than likely the crappie will suspend over the same structure.
CHECK THESE SPOTS!!!
The best spots to check for fall crappie are shallow bays, the
entrance to a tributary, a stump flat, bridge pilings, and boat docks.
Keep an eye on those shallow bays this fall. As the water drops
around 70 degrees you can count on crappie making the migration from the deep summer
hideaway to some shallow water. Shallow bays with deep channel access are going
to be one of the first places to check for crappie during the fall. The best bays will be at least several hundred
acres and offer cover such as brush piles, stake beds, timber, or stumps. Boat
docks are another great spot. Many lake
residents who fish will sink brush piles near
the docks offering great cover for crappie.
