Helpful tips

Where can I find crappie in the fall?

Where can I find crappie in the fall?

Flats adjacent to creek or river channels are prime locations to find slab crappies feasting in the fall. Key on any isolated weed patches, stumps or logs for the biggest fish. Although some crappies move to the shallows during fall, the bigger fish tend to hold in deeper water.

Do crappie school up in the fall?

Try using larvae imitation with fishing is slow: Crappies school up and chase baitfish throughout the fall. However, when baitfish are not present, insects and larvae are their main menu.

How deep do crappie go in the winter?

In larger natural lakes, crappies often find smaller basins, holes on flats or main-lake flats in the 20- to 30-foot range. The farther north you go, the deeper you find crappies wintering in big natural lakes — some down to 50 feet or so.

Is crappie fishing good in October?

As the water begins to cool, crappie are on the move. The October crappie bite can be excellent, especially for big crappie. The fish feed hard and can be very aggressive. Crappie will move in shallower during low-light periods and back out to deeper areas during the day.

How do you catch big crappie instead of the little ones?

5 Strategies to Catch Big Early-Season Crappies

  1. Fish Open Water, Too. Cold-water crappies often hold on deep cover and structure, making them difficult to pinpoint.
  2. Toss Giant Jigs.
  3. Try Bass-Size Lures.
  4. Tap the Tailwaters.
  5. Fish the Storms.

What is an average size crappie?

SIZE: The common length for black crappie is 27.5 cm (10.8 inches) and the maximum reported length for a black crappie is 49 cm (19.3 inches).

What is the best crappie bait?

Minnows, worms, insects—just about anything can catch a crappie’s attention. You don’t have to worry about the color of the bait, and you’re only throwing them what they would be eating anyway. Minnows are hands-down the favorite used by most, and some even tip a jig with a live minnow for a double-whammy.