Does Anyone Fly Fish For Crappie? If So What Fly Works?
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Does Anyone Fly Fish For Crappie? If So What Fly Works?
Dixieangler does!
For crappie, all you need is a 5wt and some small streamer patterns like a Clouser Minnow.
But here's a good link to more info on crappie fly fishing. Click on "Features", "Panfish". Scroll down to the bottom of Rick's current article and click on "Archive of Panfish". Scroll down some more and you'll see "Rick's Favorite Crappie Flies" (1&2).
http://www.flyanglersonline.com/
That's like saying, "what jig works?" :). As Kevin said, a Clouser Minnow is a good choice because it has similar motion to a jig. Other streamer patterns may also be a good choice. I would try the same colors and sizes you would normally use for jigs. I've been told that white Specks (we don't have them in Florida) feed almost exclusively on minnows, small fry, etc. while black Specks in addition to minnows, small fry, etc. will bite insects so insect fly patterns may work also. Best of luck.Quote:
If So What Fly Works?
Here are a few examples (links below):
Clouser Minnow
Crappie Candy
Flashabou Steamer - Gold
The Marabou Miss
Cypert's Mylar Minnow
A couple of article links other than those on FAOL (Kevin listed the link above):
A Calico Time of Year
Wet Flies for Big 'Gills and Crappies
Fish Photos - 2006
According to dixieangler, our "specks" must be black:rolleyes: ;) , as they do succumb to woolybuggers, chronimids, prince nymphs, damsel nymph immi's, and several other bug type flies, along with the various minnow immi's that get tossed at'em.
Seems that often finding their "level" is more important than finding "the" fly....or at least AS important.:cool:
.....lee s.
Hey Lee,
I think the young white Specks eat insects but when grown they only eat minnows, small fry, etc. Black Specks that also eat minnows, small fry, etc. will eat insects throughout their lives unlike white Specks. White Specks also tolerate dirtier water than black Specks that need clean water to survive.
I agree, finding where and the depth is probably more important than fly type but fly type can be important.
>>I think the young white Specks eat insects but when grown they only eat minnows, small fry, etc<<<
Funny, we've caught a heckuva lot of big white crappie on waxworms. - Roberta
I believe I did say I think as we don't have them in Florida.:) Its what I've read about them but you know how that goes ;).Quote:
I think the young white Specks eat insects but when grown they only eat minnows, small fry, etc.
black gnats;) ;)
I suspect both species of crappie will eat whatever is the most readily available with the least amount of effort.
I have some great Clousers. Tied by a Guy I know in Lake Charles LA. They work for him and his club members, but I just dont have the right kinda spit.
Throwing a Clouser on an #5 Fly rod is a little like having a Whole Chicken tied onto the end of the line.
It sounds like a High wind when it goes by my head. Un-nerving!
But as good as those flies are, and some jigs, and some rubber goods, I just dont seem to have what it takes to catch a Crappie.
I did pretty good catching Salmon, Trout, Dollies and other stuff on flies, but no Crappie.
I even caught some Bass, some of which were stripers, but no Crappie.
Next time maybe...?
Sounds like you are using too large a fly size for the line weight of your fly rod. Either that or too much weight for the fly. I would try smaller size flies and less weight. Sometimes unweighted flies may do better if Specks are suspended so the fly drops slower.Quote:
Originally Posted by thudpucker
Sure you do. Keep trying. Try to use the same tactics that you would normally use for Specks on conventional tackle. If they are really deep (deeper than your leader on your floating fly line), you might need to switch to a sinking fly line though.Quote:
But as good as those flies are, and some jigs, and some rubber goods, I just dont seem to have what it takes to catch a Crappie.
"I did pretty good catching Salmon, Trout, Dollies and other stuff on flies, but no Crappie.
I even caught some Bass, some of which were stripers, but no Crappie."
We do not find clousers to be one of our better crappie bugs. Maybe because we find the need to use a SLOW presentation. Other bugs (very slow sinkers) work much better for us, be they minnow immi's or bug immi's.
"some of which were stripers"
These (stripers) generally require our fastest retrieves.
....lee s.
Thanks To All For The Input. Seems I Now Have Some More Options To Try.
Thud -- I'm having some of the same issues fishing for crappie with flies. I'm new at this...but part of problem is mine. My whole life I've always had total faith in a lively minnow, and for that reason I seldom had the same luck with jigs, though I see guys that fish with nothing but jigs an can't pull them in the boat fast enough. I'm looking for that confidence building experience with a clouser, mickey finn, crappie candy etc. I know it's out there...and if history holds true, once I experience it and my confidence builds, I'll have better and more consistent luck. Of course, what Dixieangle says is absolutely right: finding the dang things is the most important thing and at times most daunting.
Good luck. Keep flying.
J
Forgot to mention another way to get at suspended Specks on the fly rod (provided they aren't suspended too deep), if you use a float and jig or float and minnow, try this rig on your fly rod. A jig hook or a hook bent to about 90 degrees so that the hook bend rides point up tied as previously mentioned on a Cypert's Mylar Minnow and using a VOSI up on the leader should work in the same way as a float and jig on the fly rod. Its not the easiest rig to cast but it does cast. I've caught bream, LMB, and mudfish on this rig with the fly about four feet below the VOSI. I have not used it yet on Specks but I don't see why it wouldn't work for Specks. VOSI link below.Quote:
Sometimes unweighted flies may do better if Specks are suspended so the fly drops slower.
VOSI
Or you might just use a mini or micro-jig below the VOSI, or something like a Jitterbee fly.
Jitterbee