Fishing is a recreational activity often done for several reasons, including food and sports. The activity is as old as time and has been practiced on several scales over the years. The tools used for fishing today differ significantly from those used in the earlier years of this occupation.
But the skills haven’t differed much, and neither have the fish being caught. One fish that has been on the end of hooks for many years now is the crappie fish, one of the most haunted fishes in the United States and beyond.
Crappie fishing is prevalent in most parts of the world where these fishes exist.
However, it is noteworthy that there’s a system to this type of fishing, and venturing into it without the know-how will result in frustration. It is only suitable to understand the concept of crappie fishing before indulging in the activity to avoid futile efforts. Mastering the art of crappie fishing involves getting hold of vital information like the seasons and top locations for crappie fishing.
This article will explain the concept of crappie fishing while highlighting when and where to go crappie fishing.
What are Crappies?
The crappie is a gamefish native to the rivers in North America. It is a freshwater fish belonging to the family Centrachidae, or sunfishes as they are also called. The crappie fish is a popular target for anglers in the US and neighboring countries too.
Not only is it known for its delicacy, but it is also a prized gamefish for fishers who engage in sports. This fish is pretty challenging to catch, which makes it the perfect gamefish for competitive fishing in North America.
Crappies have a distinct look that makes them unique and easily identifiable. They come in various colors, including white, black, green, and silver. But they have unique body scales around their speckled body, which stands out as their most notable physical feature.
White crappie fishes have a body size of between 6.7 – 20.9 inches, making them slightly bigger than the black crappies, which are between 5 – 13 inches. However, the average crappie caught during fishing is about 8 – 10 inches long.
When is the Best Time for Crappie Fishing?
The fun thing about crappie fishing is that it can be an all-year-round affair if you possess the necessary information, skills, and equipment. However, like most other fishes, crappies have a season when they let their guard down and become easy targets.
Catching them in this period becomes much more manageable, making your task more stress-free. But it would only take an informed person to identify this period and make the most of it.
Crappies like to swim deep in freshwater bodies, giving them an advantage that helps them avoid hooks from anglers. However, they often swim to shallow depths during their spawning season to reproduce.
This season often falls in the early months of spring, so the best time of the year to catch crappie is between February and May. Of course, you can still catch crappie all year, but they are often more vulnerable in their busy spawning season. Hence, you are almost assured of a better catch during this period.
Crappies prefer cold temperatures between 68 – 75°F, so they are often found feeding in large numbers during the early hours of the day. You may want to take advantage of this food rush at early dawn to maximize your catch. Fishing in crappie season generally makes your task easier and more productive.
Top USA Locations for Crappie Fishing
Crappies are among the most commonly found fishes in the United States, and you can find them across each state.
However, they are more concentrated in some states and may prefer some water bodies over others. Here are some of the best locations for crappie fishing in the United States.
Lake Talquin, Florida
The Talquin Lake is a relatively small water body that stretches across the Florida forest. The 10,000-acre lake is home to giant black crappies that swim in the shallows during spawning seasons, offering a great lake fishing experience.
These black crappies are often available in great numbers, making Talquin one of the top locations for crappie fishing.
Santee Cooper, South Carolina
The Santee Cooper lake combines the two great South Carolina lakes; Lake Marion and Lake Moultrie. It spans a 170,000-acre area, making it one of the longest lakes in the USA. It is also home to several fishes, including crappies.
Many contests are held in this lake, and the games often feature crappie fishing because of the large number of crappies attracted there in spring.
Grenada Lake, Mississippi
This 35,000-acre reservoir was initially structured to help control the Yazoo Basin flooding. But it has become the top location for huge crappies in the United States.
Fishing tournaments at Grenada have produced huge crappies, not to mention their large populations in the lake.
Expert Tips for Crappie Fishing
Knowing when and where to fish crappies puts you in an advantaged position, but you still need to be skilled enough to pull it off. Here are some expert tips for a successful crappie fishing trip.
- Select a method and stick with it.
- Assemble your gear on time to avoid leaving some behind.
- Note that crappies dwell in numbers, and you will find more in the same spot you caught one.
- Jiggling your live bait or lure will attract more crappies in deep water.
- Use light jigs for muddy water and darker ones when fishing in clear water bodies.
- Patience is a virtue with crappie fishing, as it can take time before any crappie will take your bait.
Best Baits for Crappies
A bait is a lure attached to the end of the hook to attract fish, and its role is pretty significant. Hence, you must select the proper baits for your fishing trip. The bait options for crappies are limitless, but anglers are often caught between artificial lures and live baits.
Live baits include any of the natural prey of crappies. It is the best option because it smells attractive and can lure crappies from far out.
Conclusion
Crappie fishing is one of the most popular yet complex fishing tasks. This activity can be fun if you know how to go about it, but you should expect the reverse if you venture into this task uninformed.
Knowing the when and the where of crappie fishing is the first step to s successful fishing trip, and this article has explained these variables.
