Thread: North LA SPAWN

Originally Posted by Mo'nBack

I don't like chiming in on spawn posts because the experts (that have been crappie fishing for less than 5 years) always want to argue about it, but they fatten up during the winter much as deer before the rut, and then the bite is mostly guarding the beds during the spawn. I know this will spark WW3, but this is what I've seen and believe. I'm not a marine biologist though.

I'm not a biologist myself, but I believe the same as Mo'nBack. If you want to feel the bite of feeding crappie, move out to where the females are holding prior to depositing eggs and you will find it. The males are irritable and don't like anything in the nest. Put on a 1.5" Yum crawfish, throw it in where you think a big male is fanning a bed and hang on! I also like to drag Charlie Brewer jigs on a standing head in there. Either way, you will get some violent strikes.

Yes that's exactly what I was thinking. I figured most mites during the spawn are aggression bites guarding there beds.

Originally Posted by Mo'nBack

I don't like chiming in on spawn posts because the experts (that have been crappie fishing for less than 5 years) always want to argue about it, but they fatten up during the winter much as deer before the rut, and then the bite is mostly guarding the beds during the spawn. I know this will spark WW3, but this is what I've seen and believe. I'm not a marine biologist though.

OK, so I am the 5 year expert, and a Marine Biologist...... WAIT, Nevermind......neither actually...

Me and a guy at work were discussing these exact specifics yesterday, comparing crappie getting ready to spawn to deer in rut, that comment caught my eye. I have watched the bass fisherman on TV sight fish largemouth while they are on the nest (not sure if these are males are female bass), and they always mention how a bass will not bite, but grab a bait and spit it out very quickly, so they are hard to catch. Sometimes they might bite 10 times before the firsherman are actually quick enough to set the hook. Is this different with crappie? Or would you guys think the males guarding the nest are biting to eat or biting to kill / move the "thought to be predator?"

Crappie do the same thing. Alot of times they will just try to push it out several times before they actually grab it.

Originally Posted by Mo'nBack

Crappie do the same thing. Alot of times they will just try to push it out several times before they actually grab it.

Thanks Mo'nBack....appreciate the feedback.

Been reading this post and I agree with most of the post. JMO; in north La. I think the spawn can be on and off depending on the water temperature and stretch from early March into May. The males may start testing the shallow earlier. 30 years ago I would fish yoyos mid Jan.-mid Feb. and catch a lot of crappie 1-3'. The males are easier to catch since they spend more time shallow; prepping beds and guarding eggs. From what I've seen the large females spend most of their time in or near deeper water. Catching the large females is mostly a matter of being there at the right time which can vary greatly depending on the weather.

Also crappie will spawn deeper in clear water likes; this is to protect the eggs. An old timer told me to take a white coffee cup on a string and drop it in the water. At the depth it wasn't visible is the depth they would most likely try to spawn.

Like others have said; a lot of seat time and still something of a mystery.

Just my 2 cents worth......; not a pro by any measure.

This has been some very useful information. Thanks everyone for there inputs.

James, I talked with a fella the other day who was catchin some in shallow on yo-yos just the other day. He was on the upper end of the lake around the park.