QUSETION for the LS folks

not sure but might be noticing something on LS
dont own one, but occasionally ride with folks that have them
is it just my imagination or are crappie way more skittish in the colder water season ?
not like I have a clue but could it be so ?
seems less suspension of articulate matter is likely be the cause to me
blooms recede and water clarity gets better
and according to "scientific" studies crappie eyesight is better in colder water ....
all I know for sure is warm water crappie tend to be less spooky on LS
than their colder water buddies ....?
give me the low down on your opinion please and thanks in advance :highfive
p.s. it could also be the darn cormorants diving on them all winter long too ....

Hmm haven't thought about it like that. I always assumed they were just pickier and staying full from all the shad they been eating to put on the winter weight. Plus metabolism slowing. :dono

Good question. I haven’t noticed or payed attention much to that but still catch fish the same now as back in summer patterns on grass lines, brush piles or standing timber and I am fishing clearer waters most of the time. Attachment 443278Attachment 443279Attachment 443280


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One of the lakes I fish the fish are very spooky and blacks are way more spooky than whites. In the warmer weather I can pick out black and white crappie in the livescope. Blacks seem to always be looking at the boat and the whites don't seem too and normally 25 foot is about as close as I can get to them without spooking the them. My last couple of trips I have been able to get alot closer and I am not able to pick out the black ones now. With that being said I think they are way more spooky in the warmer water..

The lakes I fish get a lot of boat traffic during the warmer months so there’s alot of commotion and noise constantly. The fish seemed on edge and would spook easily with any noise from my boat.
Now that water temps have dropped to 55-57, there’s less boats, and the crappie seemed more relaxed. Trolling motor or my squeaky front seat doesn’t make them run to the bottom as it did a few months ago. A lot of open water fish that are constantly moving chasing their next meal and you could follow them around and pick off whether it was the long pole and vertical or short pitches to them.
Maybe the cold water doesn’t transmit sound as well, or less pressure by fisherman, but I can get closer without going full stealth on them and get multiple drops on them.

Attachment 443290

My experience has been they slow down and don’t chase the bait as much in real cold water. You almost have to hold it right in their face and very slowly take it away to solicit any response. Other times of the year, if I’m within a few feet of them, they will usually come over and at least check out my lure…not saying they always bite it though LOL!


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thanks for the comments and experiences , just wondering is me