Hi everyone, I'm still a little new to crappie fishing and this forum. So please excuse newbie sounding questions. It's sort of a what I've been noticing and a little validation would make me feel better. I've been fishing an inland reservoir in Summit county, Ohio. Talking with some of the other fishermen has lead me to a little understanding of crappie. From what they tell me the bite usually picks up when water tempts reach 55°. Although I have caught my first three. Also, have read some fishing encyclopedias (from before a doctorate degree knowledge was available online). We've been getting some crappie on small jigs, but seems the yellow perch have moved into the area(generally small ones). I have noticed seagulls grabbing baitfish at what would be a next stage depth ledge. Away from a lot of structure though. Surface tempts at the transducer have been between 40°-45°. With expected air temperatures to go from low 40's to close to the 70's this weekend. Overnight lows still in the 30's-40's though. Is that a common scenario for the crappie to transition away from holding structure to stage ready for spawning?

Bluegill had always been a toss anything in the water, but have noticed jigging grabs 1000% increase in crappie. I've always been a smallmouth and rainbow trout type fisherman. Inland lakes are a little new to me. Not that the channel catfish, northern pike, perch and largemouth haven't been fun. To target and learn crappie seems fun. Lol

Included a pic link of my second crappie. Lol