Finding Crappie

I am a newbie Crappie fisherman. I have read a ton and watched videos but when I get out on the lake I have no idea where to find fish. It all sounds so easy on video and in an article but it’s not to me. I know no one who Crappie fishes that’s why I joined this forum. I realize it’s a finders secret to have your spot but Can anyone offer suggestions on hot to find and catch them ? I have caught a few really nice fish randomly and that’s why I’m hooked. I go 99% of the time and never catch a thing. Thanks in advance for any advice.


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Hi LDG
you have a boat?
Fishfinder?



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Originally Posted by brettw

Hi LDG
you have a boat?
Fishfinder?



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Yes I have both. Not the greatest at detecting what fish I’m seeing with finder but see quite a bit of fish


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I see you are in the Midlands area. I can tell you that Lake Murray is a tough crappie lake. Several members here are successful at Murray but they are vary familiar with the lake and techniques that work. I am in Lexington and if I want to specifically target crappie I go to a different lake. Santee, Greenwood and Thurman are productive crappie lakes and the methods you see described on here will produce in those lakes.
The few crappie I've caught at Murray came from the upper lake around the Camp Barstow area and from blow downs in the river.
OpiemusRex(Jeff) fishes that way a lot and does well at it.
Crappie Buster(Derrick) is one of the consistently successful crappie guys at Murray, so pay attention to his post. Also, when Sinkermaker (Don) gets back on his feet watch his reports especially long lining which is completely different from how Derrick and Jeff fish. They all work if you know what where and when to use them. That's myproblem, knowing where and when.

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Originally Posted by Littledaddygoat

I am a newbie Crappie fisherman. I have read a ton and watched videos but when I get out on the lake I have no idea where to find fish. It all sounds so easy on video and in an article but it’s not to me. I know no one who Crappie fishes that’s why I joined this forum. I realize it’s a finders secret to have your spot but Can anyone offer suggestions on hot to find and catch them ? I have caught a few really nice fish randomly and that’s why I’m hooked. I go 99% of the time and never catch a thing. Thanks in advance for any advice.


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If you're single-poling instead of multi-poling it's hard to beat fishing bridges and following gulls.

Best wishes on you're new addiction!!

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What lake do you fish most. Most of us have fished about every lake in sc. On murray some fish are being caught on brushpiles with live bait and jigs. Take the time to find brush piles and mark them.


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What sinkermaker said. With murray down so far, now is a great time to ease around looking for the tips of brush sticking up. Most years that brush will be well under water.

Sent you a PM


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My cooler is a great place to find a fine mess of crappie. lol I find the best way to be productive the majority of the time is to be versatile in your approach. Learn a little about the 4 major techniques. (Tight lining, long lining, jigging, and dock shooting. Usually one technique will be your preferred method, so attempt to get very good at it. Learn when each technique is at its very best and apply that style of fishing during that time of year. Fish where other fishermen are fishing and ask them questions. Not all, but some will give some really good advice to help you out. Unless fishing the spring spawn when the majority of the fish will be located near or on flats, focus your efforts in creek or river channels. Fish the upper end of the lake where the water is usually dingy and there is less open expanse of water. Use sonar for depth and water temp only. In fall, use it for finding bait fish. Learn to use you abilities and knowledge to put you on fish, and less on a fish finder. It is only a tool, not a guarantee. Learn to accept failure, which makes successes all the sweeter. Now hook that boat up and head to the lake!

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Originally Posted by Inkdabber

My cooler is a great place to find a fine mess of crappie. lol I find the best way to be productive the majority of the time is to be versatile in your approach. Learn a little about the 4 major techniques. (Tight lining, long lining, jigging, and dock shooting. Usually one technique will be your preferred method, so attempt to get very good at it. Learn when each technique is at its very best and apply that style of fishing during that time of year. Fish where other fishermen are fishing and ask them questions. Not all, but some will give some really good advice to help you out. Unless fishing the spring spawn when the majority of the fish will be located near or on flats, focus your efforts in creek or river channels. Fish the upper end of the lake where the water is usually dingy and there is less open expanse of water. Use sonar for depth and water temp only. In fall, use it for finding bait fish. Learn to use you abilities and knowledge to put you on fish, and less on a fish finder. It is only a tool, not a guarantee. Learn to accept failure, which makes successes all the sweeter. Now hook that boat up and head to the lake!

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Thank you so much !!


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