New to crappie fishing. Help please

[Jim Kiehne]

I have been fishing walleye's now for a few years. I am to the point that I would like to expand my horizons. I would like to be able to adjust to changing weather/wind conditions and have the ability to chase another spiecies. After crappies maybe smallmouth?

I just started fishing crappies about two years ago, I found out it can be a lot of fun! I also found out that it can be quite frustrating. I'm looking for ideas on tactics and pattern's. I've bought a couple of books on the subject, but am looking for some real life experiences.

I have been mainly fishing northern Minnesota's lakes. These are slightly stained waters. If you have any ideas or suggestions it would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance.

[Swede]

Jim, crappies can be great all year long. Start in the begining, eary in the spring just after ice out in shallow warm bays. Use asmall hook (#10/12 gold Kahle) small split shot and minnow below a small float. Keep it small and use some stealth, the're spooky. Try plastics, tube jigs, beetle spins, twister tails with white, yellow, red, chartruse in plain or combo colors. As the water warms to spawn time go shallower and tight to the weeds and wood, last years reeds are usually great. Might get afew bonus walleyes and large mouths. Let no standing reeds or old wood go without a few casts. After the spawn and crappies aren't shallow try to locate them suspended over deeper water only a few feet down, a slow troll/drift with plastics works to find them but it seems this time of year they like to have the bait moving. Take note when you find them what they are over, weeds, mud, wood, how deep, etc. Duplicate it over similar spots in that or different lakes. When the lake cools towards mid to late fall find deep water and look for schools of crappies not too far off the bottom. Vertical jig with minnow or plastics. Thru the year practice CPR, in the fall when pulling them from 30-40' they are yours! I have to say I love crappies just as much as the walleyes and a lot of time the action can be fast and furious without a lot of work, perfect for kids and those who like to fish but don't have the "catching fish is a bonus" outlook. If you are interested E-mail me for a few favorite late season tips. Good Luck Swede

[fishguy]

Right now look for crappies near the deeper holes in the lake. It's not uncommon for them to suspend 2-10ft off of the bottom--winter or summer, reading your sonar is a must. Also remember that crappies relate to structure very loosely, only coming in contact with it to feed, they suspend and roam close to main lake structure for a larhe portion of their lives--like great lakes salmon. HOwever, crappies will try to maintain a small home range and may never leave a small area throughout their life. In my opinion, crappies can be more difficukt to catch than walleyes, especially in the summer. Keep your baits small and light. The bait must fight inside their mouth and be light enough for them to INHALE not BITE. The easiest time of the year to catch them is the spring time before they spawn. Most crappies will stay close to the spawning grounds all year if the conditions allow--depending on the lake. Make sure you fish lakes with a good population as well, Some northern MN lakes may lack good pops.

[Jim Kiehne]

Thanks for the ideas! I will continue to keep checking this post for a while for any other possible response's. If anyone else is willing to share their ideas or experiences I would greatly appreciate it.