Crappies messing with my bait means...

[lotsofish]

Crappies messing with my bait means...

I am too shallow, too deep, or it depends on the situation?

Fairly often, while jigging (mornings, dusk or after dark), I end up in the crappies instead of the eyes. It can be tricky, because it can feel like a really light bite on a larger plastic or minnow, but eventually you can catch one on a larger plastic or on a minnow larger than "crappie" sized and realize it's not a light walleye bite, but crappies messing with your bait. Can you find crappies and walleyes in the same areas or when that happens does that mean it's time to move? I've had this happen to me in areas that I wouldn't normally fish if I were targeting crappies, such as in 20 FOW, just a foot or two above the bottom.

[Team Otter]

In most cases, multiple species in the same area is a good thing. Whether it's plenty of food, plenty of cover or something of the like, there's enough in the area to "go around". Different tactics and/or presentations is sometimes all it takes to have the crappies (or whatever) stop "bugging" you and letting the walleyes take over.

[ASMOLEY]

I was out yesterday and experienced just that. I was getting really light bites on my tradidional jig and couldn't hook a fish. I switched to a jigging spoon and slowed down my presentation and started catching crappies. I fished the same spot for about an hour and never pulled out one walleye. Don't know if they wern't there or if the crappies were just to aggressive. Not sure what else to try in this situation to get the eyes to bite?????? Not that i have a problem catching crappies

[Team Otter]

Trolling at 3.0+ mph with well-tuned crank baits is an option. As is casting 1/4 oz. lipless crankbaits. Often times, larger profile baits or swift speeds help sort through the "riff-raff".

[Random guy]

...OR you are fishing Upper Red, the get all mixed up. I have even caught them speed trolling big husky jerks. If as TO said if you have multi species you may have a nice baitfish area you stumbleded into.

[eyepatrol]

Going faster and larger cranks like TO said....although, I've caught 6" crappies doing that too this year.

[Scott K]

I would kick back and enjoy the multi species bites, with all the fish together like that, the biggens will come and make a meal out of them, and you just may end up with a monster. Atleast your fishing and catching fish.

[Team Otter]

You don't necessarily have to go to larger crank baits but the speed is definitely important when trolling.

[Kyle Sandberg]

Crappies messing with my bait means...

A great day on the water!