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We got a lot of rain here in Southern Virgina here today, what is everyone's opinion on how that affects the crappie fishing for the weekend ?
I usually wait a couple of days to allow things to clear up. But I have not fished in a while and still plan on going. Curious as to how people adjust their lake fishing for crappies after a rain in the Fall ?
That is one of the conditions I hate to fish the most.Especially if it raised lake levels a lot and its murky. If a body of water and the weather is stable and I have established a pattern that works...of course I always return to that same pattern until something proves to me its changed. If I am not sure what the pattern is....I always just run a plan fishing different types of bottom,structure,depth and techniques until I find something that works (if I in fact do) Work shallow to deep or vice versa.And revisit something after the day has progressed sometimes the time of day changes things.
Murky water will bring them shallow many times.But sometimes they may not bite until the sun has warmed the water and the baitfish have moved up.They can use the murky water to their advantage to catch prey.
Plan your work and work your plan. Fish with a purpose and methodically,it helps keep you from getting frustrated and keeps you engaged. And after enough time trying enough stuff you really start to learn what the fish typically do on a given body of water under certain conditions.
The wind blowing on a bank pushes in the plankton,the warmer surface water gets blown in too.So after the sun has warmed the surface water and the wind has blown for a while...it can be good fishing...especially if it has grass,rock,brush etc. And the murky water warms faster shallow.
But if all else fails fish brush piles on a contour with a slow presentation LOL
I have had luck with switching to a less translucent color, as well as going generally darker. I think adding vibration helps as well so I would choose a curly tail over say a slider. Also I think that roadrunners work with crappie almost opposite the way bladed baits do with bass. I normally think spinner on bright windy days, but i think the little colorado on a regular roadrunner helps draw crappie to the bait when clarity is poor. Dont think the flash has much to do with it. Finally I think that bigger fish eat regardless of conditions when you throw a little reaction into the mix. So if you cover water on a poor day you will likely end up with good fish off each spot even though you may only get a couple per school.
And the above post has excellent points as well. Especially about windswept banks or structure. I have found big wads of fish on spots that normally dont hold anything when the wind and current are breaking or pushing into them.
Thanks for all the good info guys. I had to print it out and put it with all my notes and fishing logs