How Do You Target Summer Crappie?

[eminart]

I've caught a fair amount of crappie in my life. But, I've always fished with my father, and almost always in the cooler months. The summer crappie I've caught have largely been at night, under bridges.

I've never owned a fishing boat of my own. But, I recently got my first kayak and I've really enjoyed using it to fish. I enjoy bass fishing, but lately I've really been wanting to catch some crappie. Between the hot water, and the fact that I don't have a depth finder on my kayak yet (that's going to be the next thing I add), crappie are tough.

I know I can target under the bridges at night, and I probably will soon. Just curious if any you guys have any kayak-friendly tips for hot water crappie - especially on the TN river impoundments.

[BAMA S]

Million dollar question....... The rivers are your friend in the summer best I can tell.

[CrappieFlopper]

Check with Ditch Basser he is a pro from a yak.

[lowe175]

Do like ditch basser and fish small body's of water. I do the same thing with a John boat. We have lots of small lakes around my house and the crappie can't go deep so they are shallow all year.

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[Ditch Basser]

Without a fish finder, work moving water in Creeks and Rivers. Single pole anywhere there's current breaks and cast to shady areas under trees regardless of how shallow. Chartreuse in muddy or cloudy water, white when the water is clear.

[eminart]

Thanks, guys! Since posting this, I kept thinking about fishing. Long story short, I went out Saturday and bought a depth finder. I have it all installed, but I haven't had a chance to test it out yet. Looks like storms every day for the rest of the week. But, it should really help me out, when I do get back on the water.

[John Doe]

Caught a few on the Alabama River yesterday. I tried House, Bear, Swift, and Cypress Creeks and didn't find the fish. Fished a couple of lay downs on the main river in 17'-20' of water and started getting bit. Look for eddies - find structure in the bends or substantial bottom breaks outside of significant current. Fortunately yesterday, Army Corps of Engineers wasn't pulling water and made it a little easier.

[mikelsb]

Like John Doe stated, main river channel fishing lay downs, picking a few up off the Coosa river this way.