it is so predictable this time of year

[Ketchn]

for those of you that keep missing the fish during the spawn here is your article on how to ketch them ......
first you need to know the lake and the average water temperatures this time of year and what occurred in previous years .
some lakes here have fish that go to the bank in February and 10 miles away that herd wont get on the bank until April .
water quality is another factor , heavily roiled up spawning areas often need to settle a bit before they will come in as well .
the next thing is to have the knowledge that certain areas on some lakes have fish go shallow WAY before other spots on the same lake . Northen banks and western exposure spots warm quickly after several days of sunshine and not terribly low temperature nights .
and one of the final things that has a bunch of play is this .....have they been spawning in that area since the beginning of time ?
there was study that suggested crappie return to where they are born to reproduce and it went on to say as high of a number as 85% of them in the shallows were born in that same location.
you can predict when and where to be , you might be off a week or 2 , but to be very sure within a week or 2 every year they will be right where they were previous years .
so pick the best of the best day you ever had at whatever location during the spawn, and try to be there witning days of that same date and watch the average outside temps. close and hit them after 3 straight days of plentiful sunshine and low winds .
just some tips that might help you get on them when they are in short water

[BobC]

Your tips are always appreciated.
Bob

[BuckeyeCrappie]

Good stuff Ketch! We seem to miss it every year as life often gets in the way…

[Slabjerkin']

Very good read and info ... Keeping a log also helps (just saying)