Brackish Crappie?

Hey fellows. I posted this on the main forum but it was suggested that I try here for more experience with my situation. The waters I fish are rivers that are deep, cold, tidal and very close to salt water. I have caught a crappie in a feeder Creek, bass and bream in the main river just inside the mouth of the river but was wondering if I can expect to catch crappie in the brackish waters or should I move further up the river to stay fresh. I see a lot of post out of Louisiana but not sure if they are in the brackish bayous or further to the north. Any guidance would be appreciated.

I would like to hear this answer. You can catch the heck out of them in the St John north of Lake George.......

Like Danbo says, you can catch plenty in the St. Johns and connected lakes and I know there is a salinity content at least as far south as Lake Monroe. How much salt would be the question. If you go to FWC website there is a tab for ask a biologist and I am sure they can answer with scientific BS.

Lake Crescent is off run of St Johns and has a healthy mix of fresh & salt water
fish.............Some of largest crappie in Florida are caught in Crescent year around.
There are couple guys that live up around Jacksonville that can answer your question
quite well -pontiac65 fishes and couple of people over around Talquin (Lightwire would
probably good person to ask)

Does Talquin have a tide influence?

Black crappie can tolerate higher salinity levels and at times will be in brackish water. Though, other factors come into play such as water temp, oxygen levels, and available forage. These factors all contribute to a limited amount of crappie in the brackish areas most of the year. White crappie on the other hand do not do well in brackish conditions. I would suggest getting into more freshwater for a better pattern on crappie.

I submitted a question to FWC, will see what they have to say. Stay Tuned. ^^^^ Crappielimits posted while I was Typing. Are you a biologist Crappielimits?

When we had the biologist at the crescent slabfest a few years ago I asked them how much salt there was and where. They said ALL of the river system has a minimum of 10% salt at ALL times. Sometimes times up here it will be higher then further south. Up here if we have a dry summer that means higher salt level and the crappie will move into the deep holes of the creeks. Some of these creeks here have holes deeper then the channel of the river. My best year for getting crappie from under docks in the creeks was when we had a dry summer a few years ago. These past few summers have been very wet so not as many fish or shrimp.

Interesting answer Russ, thanks for information. Hope that helps the man.
Mike has sent note to Marty - Biologist in your area for an offical answer, but
yours i can understand- For instance how you judge Crescent for December,
running about their normal coarse of still hanging in deeper pockets...We have had
lots of rain down here (Tampa area) don't know what you level is up there.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by fishin813

Interesting answer Russ, thanks for information. Hope that helps the man.
Mike has sent note to Marty - Biologist in your area for an offical answer, but
yours i can understand- For instance how you judge Crescent for December,
running about their normal coarse of still hanging in deeper pockets...We have had
lots of rain down here (Tampa area) don't know what you level is up there.

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I have been on Crescent a couple times this month and it is up a minimum of 3 feet. The pass from crescent to dead lake has the water way past the shore tree line.

Bout the same on this end

Great information here and I really appreciate the responses. The Crappie I've caught and seen caught here have been blacks which is now understandable knowing their tolerance for a higher salinity level. With all of this said I now have other areas of the river that I will be exploring on my next trip out. Thanks again for the help. I'm gonna be a real crappie fisherman yet!!

I would try to find a feeder creek or river with some deeper holes like 16-18 foot. This gives the fish a refuge as water levels increase or when salinity rises. In the wintertime they should be in these spots relating to structure. Other times of the year they may roam around the other shallower areas in search of food. Old oxbows or sleighs can be good especially early morning. Learning to cast and vertical jig structure would be a plus, but you should be able to tightline (spider rig). When fishing a freshwater species in tidal waters always consider the lower tide better than the higher. This is opposite of saltwater species, but high tide brings in more salt. Though, the fish will bite better when water is moving one way or the other with either type water or species you fish. I hope this helps.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by crappielimits

When fishing a freshwater species in tidal waters always consider the lower tide better than the higher. .

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if your fishing under docks the higher tide is better. this puts more water under the docks for the fish to get out of the sunlight.

Glad someone could answer because I would not have a clue except I don't think there is salt water fish in Talquin........at least as far as I know.

I would think Talquin's water would be fresh since the Ocholocknee (sp?) and it tributaries are all fresh based on the topography of the region.

I did not think Talqiin had any salt or tide influence. Thats why I asked.