Thread: Post spawn fishing

I caught Crappie on the banks up to nearly mid May last year. Once they're done there, hit the rip rap areas on Eufaula (actually, you can hit them now and have success!)

Once Summer heats up, they'll move onto Timber.

Originally Posted by SmokyOkie

It looks as if the spawn will be over early this year (that is if it isn't already). I usually don't fish much post spawn and I really don;t know much about it.


Can anyone give me a little help understanding what to expect the fish to be doing once they've finished their annual spawning ritual?

The difference in fishing for crappie during the spawn and other times is that other times you have to find the crappie. During the spawn, they find you.

Just move off the banks and fish 4'-10' ow. or get right in the middle of coves and drag shallow running crankbaits, roadrunners or sidepulling jigs. They will be agressive and hit whatever comes by them.

The spawn ain't over boys! We a still have another moon phase or two, plus the water is 10 degrees cooler in come parts of the lake. I have caught spawning males in the first wek of June before. Remeber therer are billions of crappie in the big E. EB

That's right EB too many people put up the long poles to early. The Big E is unbelievable as far as how much it can change from one part to the other. People it has just begun this isn't the rut we are dealing with here. It's not wham bam thank ya maam stuff. Keep hitting those banks especially where there is a maybe foot to two foot shelf that drops off to three to four foot. Creek channels are good for these. Rip rap will do also. Caught many a crappie off the rip rap that has a good depth drop off.

You didn't hear me say it's over, and I promise you with the lake on a slow rise this week they will hit the banks HARD again. I've been strokin e'm with cork & jig 1.5' over here in Longtown and their just starting to bed now.

Here on Lake Tenkiller the water temps are a lot colder towards the dam area than in the headwaters, so the spawn can continue on into late May/early June. I've actually seen and caught Crappie on beds in June. Don't believe anyone who tells you the Crappie spawn is over when it's only the 19th of April.

I'm finally able to the point where I can break away and do a little fishing. Hope I can go the first part of next week and I can get in on the spawn. Sure have enjoyed hearing all the great reports and proud for you guys that have been doing so well. Keep em coming folks..... I love to hear about those crappie being caught.