Crappie Fishing Tips and Techniques
Crappie fish are actually two species of fish, which are closely related and are the members of the sunfish family. They are known as white crappie (Pomoxis Nigromaculatus) and black crappie (Pomoxis Annularis ) fish. Black crappie is characterised by black spots on the sides while the white ones are characterized by their comparatively lighter tone of color and vertical bars instead of dots on the sides. Both the species can be distinguished by their gill rakers which are used to catch plankton, which is also one of their staple diets.
They are known by many different names including strawberry bass, papermouths, calico bass, speckled perch and simply ‘specks’. Their meat tastes really good which makes them popular game fish, pursued by many.
Their diet is diverse and includes minnows, insects, crustaceans and many other fish comparable to their size. These fish are active throughout the year. However the best times to catch them are during spring and fall. They prefer to stay low during the day and start moving out at dusk and dawn for feeding.
These fish spawn during the period from April to June and they breed in waters with temperatures in the range of 58 to 68 degree Fahrenheit. Crappie fish tend to linger around weed beds, logs and boulders and submerged objects. Since these fish are active throughout the year, there are range of crappie fishing techniques which vary according to season.
Crappie fish of both species are known to grow to a maximum size of 10 inches. Their weigh can range from about a half pound to a pound. These fish abound the lakes and ponds throughout the country, though they are native to eastern United States and parts of Canada.
Crappie Fishing Tips and Techniques
Let us begin with some of the crappie fishing tips and techniques shared by experienced fishermen. It is recommended that for catching crappie fish, a light line works well with the right bait. The choice of bait is quite clear from the kind of diet they prefer. A live bait can be anything out of worms, minnows or insects. However, live bait can be difficult to stock and another option is artificial bait which includes jigs and lures. Curly tail jigs and Rooster tail jigs are the most commonly used ones. Read more on crappie fishing tips and tricks.
Remember to use artificial lures that resemble their natural choice of food in shape and form. Fishing in cool waters 5 feet to 18 feet deep near the shores can increase your chances of catching some. Target weed beds and other submerged object areas near the shore during the spawning season when the crappie prefer being in shallow waters. Here are some of the most popular crappie fishing techniques.
Spider Rigging (Angling) For Crappie Read the rest of this entry »