Sinking Structure for summertime crappie

[GreeneGiant18]

Was planning on sinking structure to fish during the summer. My question is what depth should I be looking for and should I put them in the channel or maybe on the edges. Any advice is appreciated.

[INTIMIDATOR]

Was planning on sinking structure to fish during the summer. My question is what depth should I be looking for and should I put them in the channel or maybe on the edges. Any advice is appreciated.

GG
If you are just going to fish it in the summer, it has to be above the Thermocline in your lake...if you sink it in deeper water below the thermocline the Crappie may just sit on top of it, but they will continue to move around more than if they can really get up in it and suspend/relax.
If you want to use it all year around go ahead and put it deeper...normally edges of channels are better if the water is deep, if you have shallow edges and deeper channels you can put it in the Channel. Channels are good because they move baitfish and stay oxygenated due to extra current.
You can also put it on sides of drop-offs, mouths of shallow coves leading to deeper water, etc...don't forget to put some thicker laydown cover (Cedar Brush Blocks, Christmas Trees, Brush/limbs,) in shallower water to draw baitfish, etc, that will feed your Crappie...the more you have a self-contained ecosystem, the more productive and long lasting your cover will be!

[filletfetish]

I like 6-8' flats with little cover that are far enough away from any channels, points, and the bank to keep most people from finding it.

[INTIMIDATOR]

GG
What's the area like that you want to add cover to...does the lake get pressure, how about your area?
What is nearby?
To really help we need info on what else is close to see if the Crappie use the area for other things also.

[pomme guy]

GG
What's the area like that you want to add cover to...does the lake get pressure, how about your area?
What is nearby?
To really help we need info on what else is close to see if the Crappie use the area for other things also.

I agree, to be any help at all, we need as much detail as possible about your lake. Although I'm not sure how much I've learned here in Missouri would transfer to Alabama lakes. The topography and weather are probably quite different. The crappie here hold in different areas in early Summer compared to late Summer when the water gets hot (mid to upper 80's here) and hot is a relative term to your location.

[arkman]

Depending on the depth, Id put some in the channel and some on the edge.

If the fish arent on one they might be on the other.

[GreeneGiant18]

The part off the lake doesn't get a lot of pressure. It's kind of a dead spot on the lake. We usually start fishing two creeks that feed into the main channel around September fishing tree tops and log jams. The area I had looked at is rigjt around a bluff wall straight across from the creeks on the other side of the main river channel there are some tops that have fell in off the bluff. As far as depth up against the bluff is 12-14 ft then it continues to drop off out towards the channel to about 18-20 ft. Hope this helps

[pomme guy]

The bluff area does sound like a likely spot. I would think the intersection of the creek channels with the main channel would also be good spots. Any ideal how deep the thermocline is in Summer? You will want to avoid placing your beds below it or at least have the tops of your beds above it.

[INTIMIDATOR]

GG
I agree with Pomme...that sounds like a nice area, with a lot of the things they need, cover will really benefit it.

The bluff area can also be a good area if it is in shad during the day...providing cover there will provide ambush points also....I don't know with the creek channels whether the thermocline will come into play?? That is something to check out....if not, fish will head to the deep cooler water in summer! A lot of possibilities there...GOOD LUCK!

[Lowellhturner]

"Time spent in detailed reconnecense is seldom wasted..." Erwin Rommel. Dropping a old fashion thermometer on a measured and carefully marked weighted line to FIND that thermocline is `old fashioned` but still very effective, especially if done repeatedly over a period of the hottest summer months. In the meanwhile, just litter the crap out of the area down to 20 fow just to be sure. When in any doubt, resort to B-52 GPS guided bombing tactics with pin point precision accuracy coupled with sheer volume...placing lines shallow to deeper has seemed to work very well for us so far...PVC on the deep ends.