6 Tips for Winter Crappie Fishing
Winter may be cold, especially with the polar vortex hitting us, but it is also the perfect time for crappie fishing. In the spirit of getting out on the water this winter, Firstmate Controls is sharing with you some winter crappie fishing tips to help you catch your limit in no time. Take a look:
Find the Hidey-Holes
Crappie feed heavily in cold waters, and once you locate their preferred spot, you can anchor and easily catch your limit. The trick, however, is finding that sweet spot. Once water temperature falls, they can usually be found grouped together near boat docks, trees, stumps and brush piles. Crappie also generally stay in deeper waters during the winter, although they will move to shallower water if there is a string of warm days. If you’re using a depth finder, concentrate on the deepest areas.
Follow the Shad
Although you’ll catch more crappie near underwater structures such as brush piles and standing timber, the trophy catches follow schools of shad into open water. Try fishing near underwater ledges, riprap banks or even near the bottom of the lake to catch bigger crappie. If you’re using a depth finder, watch for the dark horizontal bands that indicate a school of shad and then fish at that depth.
Practice Patience
Crappie will generally not chase a fast-moving lure in cold waters, so it’s important to use a slow retrieve. Crappie prefer a slow or still meal so they can preserve energy in the wintertime. You might spend as long as two minutes on a single cast.
Slow It Down
Because fish swim slower in the wintertime to conserve energy, it's important that you're using jigs that also move slowly. A lightweight jig will not sink as fast as a heavier one, so most anglers stick to the small ones in the winter. Heavier line will also slow your approach by causing more resistance in the water, and even a bobber will slow a jig. Float rigs are great for allowing the jig to be suspended underwater so you can work it at any pace. If fishing crappie at depths below six feet, a slip cork might be more practical than a traditional float rig.
Fish in the Afternoon
While most of the year, mornings and evenings would be the best time to fish for crappie, during the winter months, afternoons are your best bet. Water temperatures are cold in the winter and will reach their highest in the afternoon. It's then that crappie will swim into shallower waters to feed. Areas with a southern exposure will usually contain the most fish.
Try New Bait
Although most crappie anglers stick to jigs and minnows, wintertime crappie can be the finicky sort. Don’t be afraid to try different bait, including bladebaits, tailspinners, soft plastic grubs, shad bodies and even small bass spinnerbaits.
Now that you've got these helpful tips for catching crappie this winter, bundle up and grab your gear, hop on your boat and hit the water! Get out on the water more quickly by getting a Firstmate boat lift remote control system for your boat lift. Contact Firstmate Controls today to order the best boat lift remote control system in Missouri that is customized for your boat lift needs!
Firstmate Controls
Find the Hidey-Holes
Crappie feed heavily in cold waters, and once you locate their preferred spot, you can anchor and easily catch your limit. The trick, however, is finding that sweet spot. Once water temperature falls, they can usually be found grouped together near boat docks, trees, stumps and brush piles. Crappie also generally stay in deeper waters during the winter, although they will move to shallower water if there is a string of warm days. If you’re using a depth finder, concentrate on the deepest areas.
Follow the Shad
Although you’ll catch more crappie near underwater structures such as brush piles and standing timber, the trophy catches follow schools of shad into open water. Try fishing near underwater ledges, riprap banks or even near the bottom of the lake to catch bigger crappie. If you’re using a depth finder, watch for the dark horizontal bands that indicate a school of shad and then fish at that depth.
Practice Patience
Crappie will generally not chase a fast-moving lure in cold waters, so it’s important to use a slow retrieve. Crappie prefer a slow or still meal so they can preserve energy in the wintertime. You might spend as long as two minutes on a single cast.
Slow It Down
Because fish swim slower in the wintertime to conserve energy, it's important that you're using jigs that also move slowly. A lightweight jig will not sink as fast as a heavier one, so most anglers stick to the small ones in the winter. Heavier line will also slow your approach by causing more resistance in the water, and even a bobber will slow a jig. Float rigs are great for allowing the jig to be suspended underwater so you can work it at any pace. If fishing crappie at depths below six feet, a slip cork might be more practical than a traditional float rig.
Fish in the Afternoon
While most of the year, mornings and evenings would be the best time to fish for crappie, during the winter months, afternoons are your best bet. Water temperatures are cold in the winter and will reach their highest in the afternoon. It's then that crappie will swim into shallower waters to feed. Areas with a southern exposure will usually contain the most fish.Try New Bait
Although most crappie anglers stick to jigs and minnows, wintertime crappie can be the finicky sort. Don’t be afraid to try different bait, including bladebaits, tailspinners, soft plastic grubs, shad bodies and even small bass spinnerbaits.
Now that you've got these helpful tips for catching crappie this winter, bundle up and grab your gear, hop on your boat and hit the water! Get out on the water more quickly by getting a Firstmate boat lift remote control system for your boat lift. Contact Firstmate Controls today to order the best boat lift remote control system in Missouri that is customized for your boat lift needs!
Contact Firstmate Controls TODAY to get your boat lift remote control system ordered.
Boat Lift Controls You Can Count On!
Firstmate Controls
130 Century Commerce Loop
Labadie, MO 63055
Phone: (866) 570-9707
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