Thread: ONE Crappie per Day

I have a hard time getting the first one to bite! Sounds like you are knowledgeable about crappie but I give you my take. If you know where the fish are located (brush/stumps/weeds) start fishing as far away as possible. Fish the outer edges for active fish. Work closer to your target as the action slows down. Make repeated cast from different angles and change baits if needed. Quarries and pits normally have gin clear water so stealth and being quiet is very important. Good luck!

or fish low light periods too

Cold water right now. I and thinking your just catching a cruising fish that is seeking warmth and food. As the water warms more will head to the bank. Are yu moving up and down the bank? If so,,they are still probably deep on the shelf's somewhere stacked up. Just a guess,,but pit and quarry fishing are about the same. Try and find a underwater cut somewhere,,or a shelf, and fish deep for right now would be my guess. I have scuba-dived pits and quarries in Indiana. You would be amazed at the fish all stacked up where springs are located in the bottoms. Spring, Hot Summer, and late Fall. That water going in is 50-55 degrees coming out of the ground, and they all stack up in it together,,bass, gills, and crappies as well as cats. Quite a sight to see.

maybe your crappie learn from what they see!

thats why you set the hook hard, so the other fish dont hear their buddy scream...
other than that, id say the cruisng fish theory is correct, they do get real spooky in clear water, but you can normally catch a handful before they shut-off, and then come back later and repeat.

Originally Posted by Whaler

I have a hard time getting the first one to bite! Sounds like you are knowledgeable about crappie but I give you my take. If you know where the fish are located (brush/stumps/weeds) start fishing as far away as possible. Fish the outer edges for active fish. Work closer to your target as the action slows down. Make repeated cast from different angles and change baits if needed. Quarries and pits normally have gin clear water so stealth and being quiet is very important. Good luck!

Thanks, and I will follow your advice and be a fishing stealth ninja!! Also, I will plan to change up my fly/jig a few more times. You are right about the water being gin clear too.

Originally Posted by danwalleye

or fish low light periods too

Yes, I've caught my daily crappie in the morning hour and then went back for the evening bite. All the crappie would sacrifice was one per day. I still plan to try though.

Originally Posted by cevans

Cold water right now. I and thinking your just catching a cruising fish that is seeking warmth and food. As the water warms more will head to the bank. Are yu moving up and down the bank? If so,,they are still probably deep on the shelf's somewhere stacked up. Just a guess,,but pit and quarry fishing are about the same. Try and find a underwater cut somewhere,,or a shelf, and fish deep for right now would be my guess. I have scuba-dived pits and quarries in Indiana. You would be amazed at the fish all stacked up where springs are located in the bottoms. Spring, Hot Summer, and late Fall. That water going in is 50-55 degrees coming out of the ground, and they all stack up in it together,,bass, gills, and crappies as well as cats. Quite a sight to see.

How cool that you SCUBA! One of these days, I plan to give it a try. My techniques and location varies. Often I fish from the bank, but I like fishing from my kayak as well. The crappie do seem to be cruising the shelf, as my mental notes recall them all being in ledge deep water.