Thread: New to shell crackers ... need help

Well everyone has always been helpful in the crappie world so I wanted to take a shot in this area. I would like to target some crackers and would like some help on how to get started. Where should I look and can you give me a little education? I have a boat and electronics so I think if I can get started right I can get going. Depths, bait, methods, water temps ... anything thing and everything is appreciated.

Thanks in advance for any help!

By the way, Watts Bar is my home lake.

I've always caught them in the same places as bluegill, but on the bottom or much closer to the bottom. I've had the best luck with earth worms but I'm sure they are many other options.

Fish around stumps on the bottom using red worms. We sometimes refer to them as stump knockers.

Originally Posted by Two Dog

Well everyone has always been helpful in the crappie world so I wanted to take a shot in this area. I would like to target some crackers and would like some help on how to get started. Where should I look and can you give me a little education? I have a boat and electronics so I think if I can get started right I can get going. Depths, bait, methods, water temps ... anything thing and everything is appreciated.

Thanks in advance for any help!

By the way, Watts Bar is my home lake.

They are more elusive than bluegill, one day they are here, and the next day they are gone.

Good luck

Thanks everyone. So to recap, fish on or toward bottom with worms and they like stumps. Any suggestions on water depth for this time of year with water temps running 64 to 68? Best place to look for beds? Sandy, rocky or mud?

Thanks again!
TD

Sandy bottom with wood or stumps close by. Start looking in 10fow in very calm water. Looking shallower at times. And fish slooow.

My method when I am searching new water.....
I put boat in 14 fow and fish a 30 wide path from there to the bank. If no fish is found I pull the bow of the boat into 5 fow spotlock the front and anchor the back. Now I fish parrel to the bank as far as I can throw at every depth. Fish are there you just gotta find them.

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Not always but tend to spawn deeper than blue gill (5-8 ft.). I fan cast or use side image to locate beds just out from blue gill beds . Lake points and middle of coves take little time to check with depth finders . I use 1/32 road runners fished really slow or worms , crickets or meal worms on bottom .

Awesome, thanks guys! Now I have a better idea of where to start and how to approach these critters. What water temp do they like to start bedding!

72≈ but they are patrolling and searching 68+. Thing to remember about shellies ... You catch 3or4 grouped up they get skittish. Then it's best to let them be for a bit.

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