Crappie Fall Fishing Tips

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