Crappies

[Rick]

Lets talk about crappies here.

[Skeets]

Where do you begin to look for summertime/ fall crappies? I have found them one day at the weedlines in 12' of water and the next day they are gone. I'm just wondering where anybody had success locating these fish.
It seems like once you are on fish, it is non stop action, and then they move and it's all over. Well, I guess that's what makes fishin' so challenging.
I welcome any tips/suggestions on this or any other crappie tactics, as this is my favorite fish species.

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Good luck fishing, see ya on the water!

Skeets
[email protected]

[Jim W]

Hi Skeets! I'm no crappie expert, but here is my take. Since crappies are a school oriented fish, once you find one, the rest are near! I believe crappies are a vorocious feeding fish. They come in from open water/suspending areas to feed hard. After they have fed hard and long they return to suspending over open water areas adjacent to or near where you presently were having success, usually relating to structure. Try locating suspended fish in deeper water near your honey hole(the last place you had success..the 12ft weedline) in 24-30 ft. I bet you will find these fish to be crappies. No guarantees, but try it out any way and let me know how you faired!!!! JIm W

[delmuts]

i'm no expert either 'but have found time of day also makes a difference. evenings amd early morn shallow. (points, weeds etc usually close to deep water. mid day check the deep water. they may be suspended or near the bottom. also they can be real choosy! try different colors, sizes,different baits. what really stinks is when you know you're over the fish but they won't bite no matter what you try. then i go bass or northern fishing!! also your line size can make a difference. in open water i use 2lb.; around weeds i go to 4. in heavier i go up to 6lb. i also use small jigs. 1/80 to 1/4. normally 1/80 to 1/32. i may add a very small split shot to help get the lure down faster. if they are not shallow or deep check out the flats(6-12) sometimes. good luck. del

[Rick]

bump

[Rick]

bump

[Rick]

Any good crappie lakes or advice gang?

[Rick]

Anyone out catching em in open water yet?

[A1000HOOK]

What is a good way to find crappies in a lake?

[Guest]

Was out today on Tonka and my buddy and I caught about 50 fish, kept 18 and sent the rest back. They are just starting to move in shallow. They really should be going in a few days if the forecast is right.

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[Fisherminn]

My crappie fishing usually involves at least two 11-and-under persons,often a wife and always an 18-foot Lund. Considering those constraints, please suggest good tactics for early-season crappies. Slip bobbers? Jigs and minnows? What kind of jigs? Anything you tell will help.

[ssendek]

I know what you mean. My crappie fishing also involves a wife and two kids under 7 and a 20ft pontoon. I have found that yellow fuzzy grub jigs with a minnow to be good. Sometimes all they want is a thin wire hook and a minnow. Slip bobbers or fixed depends on the depth. Have a great time and be safe with those kids.

[BLACKJACK]

When do you have the best luck on spring crappies, early in the morning or toward evening? Or doesn't it matter?

[Guest]

Guys, I have been out fishing the last couple of days and here is what I have found success on. #1 Gapen's freshwater shrimp in either the pink or yellow color suspended below a bobber in 2.5 feet of water. #2 a plain colored hook, either red or green, didn't seem to matter, suspended below a bobber in 2.5 water. More info, just e-mail me. I'm a sucker for putting kids on hotspots where they can catch fish. There's nothing like the smile on a kids face when he/she catches a fish. PRICELESS!!!!!!!!!

[This message has been edited by Pwaldow123 (edited 04-25-2001).]

[BLACKJACK]

"Gapen's freshwater shrimp" - is that a bait or a type of hook??

"a plain colored hook, either red or green" - are throwing a minnow on these hooks?

[eribac]

Pwaldow123 --- I'd also like to hear some suggestions. I have a 5 and a 3 year old that would love a great bite.

I'm also on the south side (Jordan) like wazz, so if you know of any good shore spots let me know!

Thanks,
Eric - [email protected]

[Guest]

Blackjack, The freshwater shrimp is a new type of jig that is made by Gapen's tackle. Currently it's only available at Joe's in St. Paul. Ooooopps and yes we were using minnows on the colored hooks. For the rest of you, sorry I don't really know of any good shore fishing spots, but I'm a big sucker for taking kids fishing and I'm sure that we could work something out. E-mail me @ [email protected]

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[Fisherminn]

For the folks who were looking for shore fishing, I seem to recall the DNR has a map of all kinds of good shores and piers and public areas for fishing. I hope I'm right about that. If I can pin it down, I'll provide more info.

[Fisherminn]

I just checked on that map. Go to www.dnr.state.mn.us, click on fishing, then on public water access sites. Some info is online, and there's a number to call to get the rest.And good luck.

[wazz]

Hey Pwaldow123 I have a 10,4 and 2yr old. And they are asking when can we go fishing, I'm over here in Eagan, got any good from shore spots?
Its supposed to a greatweekend...
E-Me if you can help [email protected]
Thanks

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[W.W.BarTender]

Well if your looking for a good crappie spot, wait a few weeks and come up to Upper Red Lake. Fishing is great in the spring time in the river and chanels. Im sure many of you have herd about the great ice fishing and some of you have probably experienced it too. Well these fish in the river and chanels are just as nice. Im guessing a few more weeks and they should be in there pretty good, its hard to say there was still people ice fishing last weekend though. Its just a suggestion to try Upper Red, but believe me its a great time for the kids. I sure loved it when i was a kid and there wasnt even that many fish to catch, it was just great Father/Son time.

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West Wind
Waskish, MN
218-647-8998

[BLACKJACK]

WWBartender, I thought the channels and Tamarack River were going to be closed this spring?

Is the ice close to coming off of Red yet?

[GullGuide]

Blackjack,
I could be wrong, but the way I read the restrictions, you can still fish the Tamarack from the bridge to the lake, just cant fish past the bridge. Still a lot of fishable water there.
>"////=<

[W.W.BarTender]

BlackJack,
GullGuide is right the river is still fishZ

[W.W.BarTender]

I have to agree if your looking for that trophy come up to Upper Red Lake durning the winter for the best fishing. The people in the area will help you out and give you a lot of advice where to get the trophy. Hope this helps.

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West Wind
Waskish, MN
218-647-8998