how to catch pre-spawn crappie ?

[river scum]

i like pitchin twisters and ttubes to them.

[Bronson]

I would try deeper drop-offs in the mouths of bays. Fish should stack up on cover before moving shallow. As one group moves in, usually other crappie will take there place. It's even better if you can find cover (brush, etc.) on top and bottom of the drop. Temps and weather conditions will definitely be a factor.

[naturenut]

I would try deeper drop-offs in the mouths of bays. Fish should stack up on cover before moving shallow. As one group moves in, usually other crappie will take there place. It's even better if you can find cover (brush, etc.) on top and bottom of the drop. Temps and weather conditions will definitely be a factor.

thx for the info.
i was wonder what type of lures is best to use for them at this time, and what style of fishing is best.
like spyder rigs, pitching jigs, ect...
i'm guessing things need to be a smaller and moved slower ?

thx,

[CrappiePappy]

thx for the info.
i was wonder what type of lures is best to use for them at this time, and what style of fishing is best.
like spyder rigs, pitching jigs, ect...
i'm guessing things need to be a smaller and moved slower ?

thx,

If you really catch them in the early pre-spawn movement from their deep water Winter haunts, on their way to the creeks/bays where they intend to spawn ... longline trolling of jigs is likely your best bet, since you'll be covering a lot of water and more likely to intercept them along their route of travel. That route is usually along the old creek channel, or across open flats with spots of cover scattered around.
Once they get stationed near their spawning grounds, they'll feed heavily to put on weight and store the nutrients needed to finish egg/milt production and survive the rigors of the spawn. They may move in and out from the spawning bank, depending on water/weather conditions, but most any presentation will work ... as long as you find their depth & location.
Once they actually get set up and start spawning, you'll usually find the males shallow & the females a little farther off shore (staging) ... but, you will occasionally catch both genders from the shallows, if you happen to be there when the females come cruising in looking for a mate. Again, any shallow water technique will usually work at those times.

I generally use the same size jigs throughout the year ... 1/32 or 1/16oz for casting/trolling methods, depending on depth & speed needed to present the lure to them.

... cp

[naturenut]

thx for the great info.
are you tipping those jigs with any one item for this time of year, or just give everything a try and see whats working that day?

If you really catch them in the early pre-spawn movement from their deep water Winter haunts, on their way to the creeks/bays where they intend to spawn ... longline trolling of jigs is likely your best bet, since you'll be covering a lot of water and more likely to intercept them along their route of travel. That route is usually along the old creek channel, or across open flats with spots of cover scattered around.
Once they get stationed near their spawning grounds, they'll feed heavily to put on weight and store the nutrients needed to finish egg/milt production and survive the rigors of the spawn. They may move in and out from the spawning bank, depending on water/weather conditions, but most any presentation will work ... as long as you find their depth & location.
Once they actually get set up and start spawning, you'll usually find the males shallow & the females a little farther off shore (staging) ... but, you will occasionally catch both genders from the shallows, if you happen to be there when the females come cruising in looking for a mate. Again, any shallow water technique will usually work at those times.

I generally use the same size jigs throughout the year ... 1/32 or 1/16oz for casting/trolling methods, depending on depth & speed needed to present the lure to them.

... cp

[imajigger2]

A Crappie is a Crappie no matter where it is located they all have the same basics no matter where they are located. People have a tendacy to overthink things. You have been given some good advice here. I would add that trying to match your baits to the size of the predominate baitfish is a good start too but don't be locked into that, experiment with sizes if they are not biting your first or alternate choices. Color can vary by lake or region so experiment a little there. Techniques can vary on any given time frame, again experiment and keep in your mind what works on your lake or lakes of choice. Time on the water is the most valuable teacher. Good Luck and let us know how it goes for you.

[Monark King190]

Crappie nibbles

[naturenut]

'CrappiePappy' when i asked what are you tipping your jigs with.
i mean, are you putting one of the many soft plastics on it, or using hairjigs, jigs w/minnow, ect ?

i'm never sure when someone says jigs, what exactly they mean.

[Monark King190]

Curly tails, tube jigs, stingers, bobby g strollers, bobby g slab slayers, hair jigs.Take your pick. Let the fish tell you what they want. All of those work well with longlining.

[naturenut]

Curly tails, tube jigs, stingers, bobby g strollers, bobby g slab slayers, hair jigs.Take your pick. Let the fish tell you what they want. All of those work well with longlining.

Thx bud!
thats what i'm looking for. :-)
my goal this year is to catch them way before spawn. i love new challenges, and learning new ways to catch fish.