Help with crappie...

[Andrew Mann]

I need a little help with catching these little beauties.

I was out today and found some nice (?) crappies in amongst some sunfish, rock bass, and small largemouth bass. I say "nice", because I don't really know what a good crappie looks like. I landed one that was about 10" and it was hard to wrap my hand around it. One that I missed was I was an inch or two larger, and the other was probably about 9".

Basically I need to know how to fish for these critters and what flies to use. They didn't seem very active, they didn't really chase stripped streamers, and they closely scrutinized each offering and usually turned away (or quickly "tasted" the fly and released it).

Any suggetions of fly choice and how to fish them would be great. They body of water is a fairly still backwater of a river that serves as a channel to a boat launch and marina. I'd guess the water temp. to be in the high 40, or low 50s.

Cheers,
Andrew

[Gigmaster]

The crappie you saw were most likley males in the Pre-Spawn mode. They are probably 'staging', in preparation for the spawn. They really haven't started to get active just yet, but soon. As the water approaches 60 degrees, they will move to shallow water and begin to build nests. The females will soon follow and spawning will take place when the water temperture reaches 60 degrees.

Try a small jig or fly fished right in front of them. They won't move a lot to get a meal. In a week or so, they will become active and begin to chase streamers.

Here in the south, the spawn has already begun, and is in full swing.

[Rick Z]

Fish unweighted flies very slowly, just above them.

Rick

[FishnDave]

I totally agree with Rick. S-L-O-W is key!
An unweighted wooly bugger can be really good for this. Start with white, as crappies seem to have an affinity for white much of the time. If that doesn't work, try chartreuse then a darker color like brown or black.

[shorthaul]

I agree with the last 2 posts---slow hand twist---keep your rod perfectly still and watch the line as it enters the water---if the line moves a 1/2" forward or back---thats the bite---i fish clousers in 20 feet of water and catch them on every cast at times---white and chartruse and white---marabou helps too

[fish4trout]

Fish unweighted flies very slowly, just above them.

Rick

Not much warm water experiance here..... Are you using a floating line or sinking line when fishing an unweighted fly?

[Atlantic Man]

Andrew, were you fishing the Holland River? I am new to the area. I have recently moved. I'm back ( to the board )

[Rick Z]

fish4trout
A floating line and let the fly drop very solwly.

Rick

[Andrew Mann]

Sorry man...I'm in Ontario, Canada, not Ontario, California!

[Atlantic Man]

Ontario, California?. My bad, I ment canada!

I caught some crappie at my local pond the other day on a muddler minnow along with 7 baby bass. It should be good this weekend.

Good Luck...

AM