Thread: Red Worms:

Originally Posted by 6poundtest

You might try your same presentation but substitute in some sort of plastic shad style bait instead of the worms. I like your position along side the weed line to start but as was mentioned, you might get your bait up farther from the bottom for crappie, perhaps 3-5' as a start. One other thought would be to position yourself on the shady side of the weed line if you can. They like the shade, it seems.
I've never used the drop shot presentation but have worked a lot of weed lines. I'm betting they are there but might be more interested in a different lure rather than a worm.

So it’s becoming clear to me through my limited experience that crappie to tend to work above the gills when they’re in the area. I also too believe that minnows, or the small imitation type lures are the go-to-bait for them. While catching some average size gills near a 15’ weed base, I noticed some on-screen suspended activity in the vicinity. Put on a small minnow crank, cast it out and slowly trolled parallel, but out from the weedline (17’) Lure was likely 5’ down, but I nice crappie took the bait. Dropped a marker so as to work the general area and a repeat pass put another nice crappie in the boat. But that was it. However, and to the point(s) you brought up - working up and out from the weeds, and using a minnow type bait - is what made the connection. IMO, crappies are harder to catch than gills in the summer….location, location, location.


Thanks 6# or sharing that knowledge.

You won't be a novice long. You are doings things right by asking questions and taking note of what works and what doesn't. You have come to the place for the most in-depth knowledge of crappie in all the internet. Good luck!