Black -v- White Tactics

[Jigboy]

I keep hearing about the difference in tactics between black and white crappie. I would love to say I know what they really are since I seem to catch a mix of both but thats probably luck. Can you guys tell me what the difference in tactics are. Especially since the blacks are starting to take over KY Lake. Is it only a timing deal or what should I be doing differently?

[mepperson]

I keep hearing about the difference in tactics between black and white crappie. I would love to say I know what they really are since I seem to catch a mix of both but thats probably luck. Can you guys tell me what the difference in tactics are. Especially since the blacks are starting to take over KY Lake. Is it only a timing deal or what should I be doing differently?

I don't know if it's just me but the blacks seem to hit the shallows earlier and I catch more off of rocks than the brush in KY Lake.

[CrappiePappy]

I'm like you ... I think it's a timing thing, as much as anything (per Crappie Movement Study, too). But, it can be a location thing, too, at times. Black Crappie seem to come in earlier, get shallower, and stay there longer (in Spring). And they come back in shallow in the Fall, whereas the Whites seem to stay out deep in the Fall (that's been my experience at Watts Bar, anyway)

I've had mixed results at different lakes, so no one factor seems to stand out. I've caught Blacks & Whites out of the same spot on some lakes ... and never found them together on other lakes.

I think the Black Crappie are prone to having a more diverse diet, than White Crappie ... maybe more prone to eating things like bugs, worms, craws, larvae, etc. They both like minnows, Shad, Silversides ... so I usually try and mimic those (just to be on the safe side).

... cp

[sixfin]

I'm no expert but here is what I've picked up over the years. The white crappie don't seem to like clear water as much as blacks. I think with Ky lake clearing up, it is driving the whites deeper. I know that when we get the big rains and lots of run off, the whites seem to pull back up in the shallows and aren't as spooky. As far as technique for catching each, the black crappie seem to like a moving target more. I vertical jig with two poles. When I fish a bed, I move in real slow and do a twitching presentation with the jig. This is where I pick up the white crappie. Then I will sweep the front of the boat from side to side over the bed which makes the jig dart up and to the side like a baitfish that is spooked or excited and this really seems to excite the blacks. Trolling is also a great way to pick up blacks but there are no hard and fast rules to catching these fish. I catch both species using both methods. I agree that the blacks do move in shallow early and stay longer. I caught blacks this summer in July in three feet of water. Had to hit them early but they were there.

[dangerousdave]

I agree with Mike, the areas where the football size rock meet the gravel points plus a little brush equals victory.I now place my crappie condos in these areas, just wish this snow would stop so I can get back down to plant some more before the water warms. I thank the blacks are more agressive than the whites.It may just be me but I don't troll, I back off from from the beds and cast to them, but I can catch them if I get too close to the structure they will scatter like a covey off quail. One other plus to the blacks they use the same areas to spawn as the smallmouth and I am catching a lot of smallmouth. The blacks also fight much harder. Dave!!

[crappiemax]

I don't know if it's just me but the blacks seem to hit the shallows earlier and I catch more off of rocks than the brush in KY Lake.

Yep, that's what I've noticed too.

[rnvinc]

Lots of good reading here....Search Results:

These studies by the KY Fish and Wildlife indicate that the blacks go shallow earlier than the whites and stay shallow longer than the whites...

I can find good blacks in the 5-7 ft range when the water temp gets to about 55 degrees....

[Wiskers]

Bout everything posted here I agree with. I would just add that I have found that the blacks will be about 4' to 5' shallower than the whites up till spawn. I'll let ya in on 1 little tip. You start catch'n those little yella belly stripes and the blacks are gonna be close by. Gay-rone-tee ya!!