Flies for Crappies

Well I am getting closed to my trip to the Lake of the Ozarks. They tell that end of April is good for crappies on the nest, but crappies like minnows.

So the question is, what fly would you recommend for this novice to use for crappies?

Some good suggestions from this thread

http://www.flyanglersonline.com/bb/s...-Crappie-Flies

Also, Don Bastian's Red Squirrel Silver Picket Pin is supposed to be a good one; haven't used it yet but it was a fun fly to tie

http://www.flyanglersonline.com/bb/s...Picket-Pin-SBS

Regards,
Scott

Mini Slumpbusters, Black Nosed Dace, Mickey Finn and Golden Retrievers tied in the standard and white version. All in sizes #12-10.

Probably depends on water clarity...Ozarks tends to be fairly clear, at least in the lower 2/3 of the lake. Crappies will nest deeper in clear water than in murky water.

Crappies love a slowly-moved fly that is above them.

I've been using 1/80th oz microjigs under an indicator year-round (except for icefishing, of course) for crappies in my area. Adjust the distance between the microjig and the indicator to suit the depth you need. If the fish are in water greater than 5' or so, you may choose to use a heavier microjig under a larger indicator, so that it sinks to depth quickly.

Another technique that works well at times is swimming Crappie Candy flies or beadhead Woolly Buggers through spawning areas. Chartreuse is often the best color, but occasionally something else works better.

Good luck and post pictures of your trip for us! :)

If you're not a tru purist about it and want to find some of the biggest crappies in the school, use a beadhead or clouser weighted for depth you're looking in. Use yellow or chartreuse and white marabou lightly tied on a long shank 6 or 8 light wire hook. On the hook hang an Uncle Josh spin strip about 1" to 1"1/4 long. Forget the bobber and just crawl this in with the handroll technique and watch your line tip where it enters water. Like I said...if you're not a purist...and I'm not, tho I personally haven't used this in a few years I know it can find the bigger fish in the school.

I've always had luck with a white body and tail bugger with hen grizzly palmer and collar. Size around 8-12 sometimes with a silver bead head.
Good luck

I've had good success with a black/olive wooly bugger. Also, try some trout patterns - McGinty wet flies and Tellico nymphs, for example.

I've had excellent luck with Carter's SEM Sculpin. I tie them in bright colors for Crappie and when tied in black it also produces some VERY nice big bream and bass.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kxc3azavAv8

Jim Smith

Remember that crappies have large, fragile mouths. I have lost a lot of crappies on my local lakes using small flies. Remember that most non-fly fishermen use size 2, 1, and even 1/0 aberdeen hooks for crappies. Crappies are not bluegills....

When I'm targeting crappies I use a minimum of size 6 hooks. Crappies are primarily baitfish eaters and they are not shy about eating streamers. I tie and use a simple sort of streamer on a size 6 dry fly hook (light wire) with a bead head, heavily dubbed ice-dub body and a marabou tail just as long as the body. White, white with pink, chartreuse, any color really.

I like smaller Clousers, about #12 or so and tied on Aberdeen hooks. Other hooks do fine but I like those light wire irons.

Make them in a minnow-style, whitish w/a little bit of flash. Small eyes...you'll kill 'em! Good luck.

Jeremy.