Crappie Fall Fishing Tips
It is approaching us faster than some might
believe, The Fall Transition for Crappie is almost like
the transition for bass.
Here again the crappie will move up from the
deep creek channels and ditches to feed before the cold
winter hits and the lakes freeze.
Where are you going to look for the crappie?
Think back to the early spring to those brush piles and
laydowns that offer easy access to the
deep water, Grass, or Rocks.
Has anyone noticed that it is almost like what I
was saying on my bass website www.basshogfishing.com? The bass and the crappie will both do the same. They are looking for a
easy meal and with the shad all bunching up in the coves
you will more than likely catch bass and crappie out of the same school of
shad.
Early in the morning try a small top water lure,
such as a small Rebel bug, or even a fly that you might
use for trout. Do not think that a crappie will not hit top water lures. In fact,
I have seen the crappie smacking the top before the bass
do.
Another great top water bait is something that
we all use mostly for bream and that is a popping bug. It
can be rigged below a round float and used on a casting rod or the ultra
light rods.
Here again crappie will hold close to those
stick ups and to ease a small jig or a minnow down in
front of their nose is a little more than they can handle.
Midday is still good time to get some crappie
slabs in the boat. They will not be a big as the ones
that you caught in the summer because they are not full of eggs, and when I
state that I have caught some crappie in the fall that
have had eggs in them, they did not get to spawn in the spring. What I am saying
the biggest percentage will be thin, but still make a
great meal.
As the water warms up during the day, start at
the stick ups and then proceed to deeper water. When you
do this, here is where the Bandit crankbaits come in to play. I know that a
lot of you that fish Sardis Mississippi know all about
the bandits and trolling the mouths of creeks will almost guarantee a boat
load of crappie.
Late afternoon is another good time for you to
get the slabs after the day has heated up the water. I
can not say it enough, listen to what the crappie are telling you and you will
have the time of your life.
They will tell you what they want, where, and
most of the time they will even tell you when they bite
the best; all you have to do is listen real close.
I have got to list some of the got to take lures
for fall crappie and I bet a lot of you still have them
left over from the spring. If not, now is the time to restock your
tackle.
A. Berkley Minnows in a Bucket
B. Bandits (pink/white/Chart)
C. Live minnows
D. Crickets
E. Small Lipless Crankbaits
I have attached a picture of what I would take
and one other thing that I have not mentioned in any
earlier article. This is one reason I tell you to come back and read the new
articles you never know when I give away another
secret.
It is the bottle of Revolution 3-D Extreme
Garlic Cryogenic Shad Oil. It is produced by Robbins
Labs, P.O. Box 161, Eads, Tennessee 38028.
I am a firm believer in covering the human scent
and it will produce more fish. This attractant
incorporates Omega 3 fatty acids and cryogenic shad to produce that minnow diet for
crappie. A good way to apply the crappie attractant is to
put some in a baggie and dip your bait in the crappie
catching mixture.
When you are using the minnows, do not forget
the part about putting more than one on the line. If you
missed that part, check out that article at my BassHogFishing website then come on back
to learn how to get your share of the slab
crappies.
Watch the water temp. You can bet on catching
crappie in water that is 60 to 70 degrees and sometimes
even colder.
Caution: Stop and
think the water is getting colder in the fall with the cool
nights. You have got to practice safety more than you
might in the summer, because you can or should I
say your body can not withstand the cold water that long
if you fall into the water.
Keep Dry cloths in a Large water tight bag just
in case and always let someone know where you are going
to be and when you are going to be home.
Hope the crappie fall fishing tips help but do
stay safe so we can can catch a bunch next spring
and have that fish Fry.
Keep The Hooks Wet!
Steve
McGoldrick
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