| Crappie Spawn is an exciting time of the year usually | | | | not be easily detected in shallow waters for the |
| between March and April each year in the Southern | | | | crappie spawn. You can use a light bait caster rod |
| regions when water temperatures reach 62 to 68 | | | | and reel or an ultra-lite open faced rod and reel setup |
| degrees, however this is not always true, the | | | | using a small beetle spin or spinnerbait with a single |
| northern part of the region may take until May or | | | | blade on either bait that mimics baitfish. Be mindful of |
| June to reach the right temps for the crappie spawn | | | | colors, if one works good, another color may be |
| to take place. As seasons change crappie have a | | | | excellent. |
| migration path that they make their way to the | | | | Chartreuse/black colors work well in low light |
| shorelines to lay their eggs for the big crappie spawn | | | | conditions, when in clearer water use silver/black or |
| when the seasons change to spring time. When the | | | | plain white baits for some serious action. Remember |
| temperature is right I have seen crappie so shallow | | | | what depth you got bit at and return to that same |
| the top fin is out of the water. Always remember | | | | depth, sometimes a one to two foot depth |
| the west side of the lake always warms up first, this | | | | difference will mean getting bit or not, this applies to |
| is where the first wave come in the shallows for the | | | | not only crappie spawn, but when they retreat to |
| crappie spawn. Crappie are very similar to | | | | deeper waters. Here is a great tip to take to the |
| Largemouth bass when it comes to spawn, they | | | | lake with you, like most of us we are unable to |
| share the same space at the same time. | | | | know where the crappie are at all times so you can |
| When the crappie spawn occurs on your lake or | | | | stop by or call your local marina and ask the marina |
| pond they can position themselves anywhere from | | | | manager what depth the crappie are being caught, |
| the bank to shallow underwater ledges, and those | | | | some local fisherman will boast about their catch to |
| drop-offs will fall to 10 feet or more, look for shallow | | | | the marina managers and this can give you valuable |
| ditches, cuts and gullies, near bank-side bluffs or | | | | information, sometimes even baits choices. |
| coves. Also it always helps to scan your sonar to find | | | | Remember to carry a certified measuring stick with |
| these areas in your boat. As the crappie spawn | | | | you to measure your fish, 10" minimum length and a |
| takes place there are unlimited places to find them, | | | | limit of 25 crappie per person, always check with |
| look around the edges of weed beds, timber stands, | | | | your state parks & wildlife to make sure about |
| brush piles, bridges and boat docks. | | | | length and limits, make sure that you carry your |
| Here are some tips to help you locate and catch | | | | fishing license with you when you are at the lake, it |
| these fish during the crappie spawn, the best way to | | | | will save you from getting a ticket. A very important |
| fish starting out is to use medium size minnows either | | | | tip is that they will retreat back to deeper water and |
| straight line or use slip corks on your reel so that you | | | | generally they will stay at 75 degree waters after |
| can easily adjust your depth as necessary. You will | | | | the crappie spawn is over. |
| also want to use 6lb to 12lb line, the lighter line will | | | | |