anybody care to teach a rookie

[beefed_up]

So I have no problem catching catfish but I cant catch crappie or bream to save my life. I went out Thursday to horseshoe and tried for crappie and bream and didn't get one nibble. I found schools on my fish finder but they wouldn't touch anything I was using. Switched to catfishing the last 2 hours and caught 9 cats. This is my third year trying to get into crappie and bream and ive only got into crappie one time a couple summers ago. I just need some guidance. I think my wife is getting tired of going with me and not catching anything plus id like to take my son when hes big enough. Thanks guys. I live in jonesboro also. Thanks again for any help.

[Cmj]

Rule #1 for Crappie fishing: Fish where the fish are. If you arent catching Crappie, move. Even if you are sure they are there, they may not be active. It sounds like you were marking catfish on your fish finder. Sometimes it helps to just know the lake you are fishing and the patterns for the different seasons. This only comes from trial and error, and time on the water.

[arkcrappie]

Horseshoe can be a tough nut to crack. Are you jig fishing?
As a general rule of thumb, this time of year crappie are in "deeper" water. Deeper being consistent to the lake you are fishing.
Right now, fishing is tough in northeast Arkansas. Let the Mississippi go down and try some of the oxbows on it

[Crappie Greg]

If you fish horse shoe a lot , the fish are usually on the docks this time of year , look for the deeper docks and those with lots of shade , the darker better,early before sun gets up you can find them on the outer edges , but once sun gets up they will move further under the docks as far as you can reach with a 11-12 foot pole, try fishing from 5- 7 ft deep , I like white and chart Midsouth with red head, some of the guys like shooting the docks as well , hope this helps

[jackie53]

May need to try Lake Charles off of the black river not big crappie but lots of them and a good place too learn!!!! Hope this helps!!!

[hawgdog]

Very true.....but once you crack it, the lake will produce for you!

Horseshoe can be a tough nut to crack. Are you jig fishing?
As a general rule of thumb, this time of year crappie are in "deeper" water. Deeper being consistent to the lake you are fishing.
Right now, fishing is tough in northeast Arkansas. Let the Mississippi go down and try some of the oxbows on it

[Billy E]

if you fish horse shoe a lot , the fish are usually on the docks this time of year , look for the deeper docks and those with lots of shade , the darker better,early before sun gets up you can find them on the outer edges , but once sun gets up they will move further under the docks as far as you can reach with a 11-12 foot pole, try fishing from 5- 7 ft deep , i like white and chart midsouth with red head, some of the guys like shooting the docks as well , hope this helps

x2