Crappies

[eyedr]

Every spring we used to go way up north in Canada on a fishing trip. Well the past few years we have not gone and it has given is more time to fish around home in the spring. Last year we really got into the crappies when the water warmed up and they were in 2-3 fow. I am wondering how you guys fish crappies before they are way up in the shallows. I'm talking right as the ice is getting off. Bobbers? Spinners? Do you just drive around until you find them on the sonar? I have a general idea but no one in my family fishes pannies in the spring so any tips would be great.

[ozzie]

after ice out the crappies will start showing up around the warm bays or areas of the lake that warm up faster...muddy bottoms areas generaly. You can search for them many different ways and some days other presentations work better than others it is always an expierement. I always start the shallowest area I think they may be and work deeper...I try to stay under 15ft depth but on occasions they will slide out to the deep wintering holes if they are close to the warm muddy areas. Good Luck and the funnest fishing of the year is only 2 months away or so!!!

[dan z]

As always I try and refer to were I caught them late ice. Try and find mud during late ice and then find the transition to sand. I would try trolling small minnow type baits to locate the really active fish. Once connection has happened slip bobber them until your bait is gone.

Good luck, better go check your battery status on your deep cycle.

[mallardnwalleye]

Look for large bays with soft bottoms or some soft bottom, hit the south facing weedline that is on the north side of a deeper area. They are usually close to moderately deep water and not way way up in the shallows first thing after the ice is off. The north part of a bay or a transition area in a protected bay can be as good or better than the theoretically good far north end of a lake. Search by casting a 1/16-1/32 th oz. pink and green jig. Then set with bobbers once you find them.

[bassinboy3]

Pretty much like everyone has been saying, bays with muddy bottoms, thats where the warmest water will be. If you have no luck there try fishing just outside the bays or where fish might be staging to come in. I also have found fish in pencil reed beds around these bays. I usually use smaller jigs with berkley gulp or powerbait and use a small float to detect those lighter bites and fan cast around untill you find a school.

[eyedr]

Thanks for the replies, very helpful info. I am getting excited to give it a try.