I would personally check out weeds first as this is where you are most likely going to find them the easiest and where they’ll be the tightest stacked.If you locate an underwater point on your mapping software, focus your efforts first and foremost on the side of the point that is deepest. Crappie will often hang out right on these margins a few feet from shore. It can be done but don’t expect great fishing.
The summer also rings about extensive weed growth in a lake. But the truth of it is these factors are extremely important for ice fishing success. Unlike walleye and bass, they do not like erratic motions. (Photo: Richard Simms) Reaching Crappie that are Hard to Reach Shooting docks – by fine-tuning their gear and their technique, crappie anglers can reach crappie that are otherwise out of reach. Sometimes the hotter and sunnier the weather, the better the fishing.Captain Lee Pitts is a full-time fishing guide and tournament angler based on Lake Weiss in Alabama. Lastly, I have provided 40+ proven effective tips to catch crappie in all seasons and conditions. I do this every cast.”Consistency is important. Also, fish everything slower and more methodically. Fish these very slowly under a bobber rig.
And most importantly, slow down. If possible, stand on the logs and work your bait vertically among the branches.There are many lures that can catch crappie but most serious crappie anglers rely heavily on just a few specific types of lures. Crappie love docks at least 3 feet deep. Crappie love stacking off points where they can feed in shallow water and back off into deeper water to suspend. Downsize your baits and fishing line. Attach a small float or bobber the desired length above your lure. There can be two seemingly identical docks sitting side-by-side. The angle of the slope and the muddy bottom absorb more sunlight and warm up the water. Use a lighter fishing line. Twenty years ago, most crappie fishermen had never heard the term, “shooting docks.” Now, even if they’ve never done it, most have heard of it.The principal is basically to turn your fishing rod into a slingshot, literally “shooting” tiny jigs up underneath boats docks or other structure that would otherwise be impossible to fish. Look for the steepest side of the deep basin (where the contour lines are tightest). “I can see where the bait is going when I’m skipping it under a dock, and since the bite when dock shooting is often very subtle, the Hi-Viz line lets me see the bite. This is where you need to fish and use minnow or shad patterns.During the spawn, crappie move off softer bottoms and seek out harder surfaces. Crappie really seem to like pink, especially light pink. Stub fields can also be a big-time crappie sanctuary during the winter especially if the stumps are near current or deeper water drop-offs.Marinas are great locations to fish for crappie in lakes that don’t freeze over. The key to successful dock fishing is to drop minnows and jigs straight down vertically if you are standing on them. Even in clear water, crappie don’t mind the Hi-Viz line. Black crappie will spawn in the same area with white crappie but sometimes there are areas that hold predominantly black crappie. This is where crappie will stack at in highest concentrations. Swap out the 1/16oz.
Instead of putting food in their house or in their kitchen, you need to put the food right on their dinner plate.Fishing slow is the name of the game for crappie year-round. But if you fish with only one of them, you will catch less crappie. You will probably dig 15+ holes just to locate your first crappie and many more by the end of the day. This rule also applies to the winter. Crappie will stop feeding midday but bite heavily near sunset and sunrise. You can fish these year-round, even through the ice, for great results. Since then, I've lived across the country and have really taken that passion for fishing to a new level.I am an avid angler and outdoorsman. Slowly fish minnows, jigs, and spoons between and under docks.
I prefer two-toned colors with dark and light contrast.