Lake Anna Hot Side Crappie

Hi all. Will be heading to Lake Anna in late March and instead of chasing bass all week, we are going to dedicate some time to crappie fishing. I've never specifically targeted crappie, so looking for some advice. Actually, now that I think about it, I don't think I've ever personally caught a crappie. Hoping to change that during our trip!!

I have several crappie size jigs tied with various colors/patterns of marabou, as well as some Bobby Garland plastics, jig heads to match, and some crappie nibbles. Also plan to tie up some double minnow rigs and give live bait a try. Any tips or suggestions for what I'm working with as far as tackle goes? Any insight on fishing the hot side of Lake Anna for crappie?

Appreciate any help/advice/guidance you all are wiling to share. Thanks!!

I never fished the warm water side. Was told you had to know a land owner to fish it.??? I have fished other spots in the lake though. Look for cover such as docks, weed beds or just a down tree. Depending on how far along the spawn is will determine were you will find them. I fished it a few times and it was that time of year. I am no x-pert but since no one replied I wanted to not be rude. This may help a little. Hope you do well and enjoy your trip!

Thanks for the tips. To access the hot side you either need a kayak and put in at dike 3 or have landowner permission to use their dock/boat ramp. We are renting a house on the shores of pool 3, so that's how we'll have access. I joined my buddies group that does a trip every March, and last year was my first year fishing Anna. The hot side will be much warmer than the main lake, so I'm not sure what to expect as far as spawning patterns go. Today, for instance, the main lake is 46 degrees, pool 1 is 71, pool 2 is 64 and pool 3 is 63. So I'm guessing by late March they'll all be 10 degrees warmer or so, I don't remember what they were that time last year. Summertime like patterns I'm guessing at that temperature? So looking for deeper submerged structure in that case? I've heard summertime water temps are the toughest to catch/pattern crappie. Just trying to figure out what and where to look for them.

Thanks again!!

I like small jigs and 4 lb line for most of my fishing. I have a few colors such as chrome with lots of flash, white, chartreuse, pink and even a fire engine red ones. I also enjoy catching them on my fly rod in shallow water. Usually 1/8 is my largest and 1/32 the smallest. I also use a count down method to try different depths. If it looks like a fish should be there I make at least a few casts. Some prior knowledge is always helpful but finding them on my own is even more rewarding. Have not fished it in 2 years perhaps I need to make a trip there again!

Sounds good. Thanks again.

No one is being rude. But I don't know any guys that fish or report on Anna. I would look at the mouths of creeks and work your way to the back at that time of the year. welcome aboard!!!!

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Originally Posted by jim.b

No one is being rude.

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Agree. I've monitored this board for 9 years and don't remember more than a handful of reports...and all of them were about the main lake. For whatever reason, LA is like a little world all to itself.

Thanks guys. Appreciate the tips. I certainly appreciate any advice/tips that any are willing to share, and I don't think anyone is being rude. Quite the opposite actually. We'll see how things shape up during our trip. I'm a seasoned river smallmouth guy, so it will be a change of pace for sure to dedicate some time for crappie. I'll be sure to report back with how we do.

I agree I did not really mean rude. Perhaps I should have said unsociable. I did not intend for that to come out that way. Please except my apology! I can honestly say I have not met a rude or even non pleasant poster on this site. Thanks for all the great post and information! Tony

I'd have a light or ultra light spinning set up. 4 lb line and skip a 1/16 jig head under every dock. Good skip and count it down. Once you find the right count, have a ball. I don't know what color the water normally is, so you will have to pick the color of the 2" grub body. Hard to go wrong with any color, plus a chartruse tail.