Crappie Fishing Tips - Tips on How to Catch Crappie

Welcome to our section on crappie fishing tips. Here you’ll get a chance to learn everything you’ll ever need to know about crappies and crappie fishing. It doesn’t matter if this is your first time fishing for crappie or if you’ve been doing it for years, there is information on this web page that will help you. First, you’ll have the option to learn more about crappies and get a better understanding of what they do and why they do it. Followed by a list of crappie fishing tips, crappie fishing records, crappie facts and a list of resources to further your research into fishing for crappie. We’re confident that this article can immediately help your fishing game.

• About Crappie (Pomoxis Annularis)
• Crappie Fishing Tips, Tricks and Techniques
• Crappie Fishing Records
• Crappie Facts
• Additional Resources on Crappie

About Crappie (Pomoxis Annularis)

Crappie (pomoxis annularis & pomoxis nigromaculatus) is a species of fish native to North America. There are two types of species of crappie, white crappie (pomoxis annularis) and black crappie (pomoxis nigromaculatus). They live in freshwater and are one of the most popular game fish among anglers. Their habitat will usually consist of water that is moderately acidic and highly vegetated. When they are juveniles they feed mostly on prey that is microscopic, such as cyclops, cladocera and daphnia and when mature they will feed on aquatic insects, minnows, and fish fingerlings of other species.

Crappie are a schooling fish and will also school with other types of pan fish. They prefer underwater structures like fallen trees, weed bends and other structures that might be submerged. Generally during the day crappie tend to stay deep under water and only move to shore when feeding, mostly at dawn or dusk. However, during their spawning period they can be found in shallow water in large concentrations. They do not go into any semi-hibernation during the winter, making them a prime target of anglers that are ice fishing. Crappies, both black and white can have color variance that is affected by their habitat, age and the colors of the local breeding population.

Crappie Fishing Tips, Tricks and Techniques

Most likely you came to this web page for the below information, our crappie fishing tips. These tips were put together by our team by searching all over for the most effect tips used for crappie fishing. In fact, some of the below tips even came from anglers such as yourself. Feel free to submit a fishing tip if you’d like to see your own crappie fishing secret appear below.

• Artificial Bait That Works– Small jigs work the best, and we find that usually the 1/8 ounce jigs are the most consistently effective. We recommend both this Spinnerbait and this Minnow Bait.
• Use the Right Fishing Knot– If you’re fishing for crappie with a jig you should use a loop knot. This type of fishing knot will allow the jig to move more freely when casted. In addition, it provides crappie with a subtle movement that is very enticing when done vertically to the fish.
• The Best Live Bait Rig– One of the best bait rigs for crappie is to use a #6 hook, a small split shot, a live minnow and a slip bobber. The slip bobber will allow you adjust for any depth while not sacrificing casting ability. Hook the minnow either through both lips or just behind the top dorsal fin.
• Fish the Right Depth– Crappie can usually be found between three and six feet of water. During the peak of summer crappie will move to deeper areas and come out to the surface during dawn and dusk to feed.
• Keep the Line Tight– Crappie are known to have a soft lip. This means that they can tear easily and shake your hook if the line isn’t kept tight enough. Luckily crappie will put up a good fight, so keeping your line tight shouldn’t be a difficult task.
• Don’t be in a Hurry– Crappie will give you more action if you are slow and steady with your jig and/or minnow. Try to avoid retrieving your cast too quickly. If you’re not getting any action and you know crappie are in the area then try slowing down.
• Use a Topographical Map– Since depth is important when trying to fish for crappie you’ll want to make sure you use a topographical map of the body of water you’re fishing. A map will at least contain depths and in some instances sunken structures like fish beds. You don’t need to pay for these, there are tons of free ones available on the internet.

Crappie Fishing Records

Below is the world record crappie caught by anglers just like yourself. This information came from the IGFA (International Game Fish Association) at the time this content was written. While these type of records do change it’s not that often, you can look up crappie records in real time by visiting the IGFA website. Their is a link to their website in the additional resources on crappie section below. Who knows, in the future we might find your name in the top anglers for crappie because you used information on this web page!

John R. Hortsman caught a black crappie in a private lake in Missouri, USA on April 21st 2006 that weighted 2.26 kg (5 lbs. 0 oz.)

Fred Bright caught a white crappie at Enid Dam in Mississippi, USA on July 31st 1957 that weighted 2.35 kg (5 lbs, 3 oz.)

Crappie Facts

We’ve put together for you some basic facts and data about crappie. This information is useful to better understand this type of popular game fish and to get an idea of what to expect when fishing for them. The maximum weight and length is from the latest all-time record at the time this information was written. It may have changed slightly, but that is only for the top 0.5% of crappie you’ll find in the wild.

• Scientific Name: Pomoxis annularis (white) & Pomoxis nigromaculatus (black)
• Nickname(s): Papermouth, Sac-a-lait, slab, speck and speckled perch
• Average Lifespan: 10 years in the wild and 12 years in captivity
• Length: Up to 20″ for white crappie and 19″ for black crappie
• Weight: Up to 5 pounds, average is quarter to half pound
• Range: North America
• Spawning Water Temperature: Black crappie 58-64 degrees and white crappie 60-65 degrees

Additional Resources on Crappie

We hope that our crappie fishing tips are able to improve your success as an angler. However, in case you’d like to continue your research we’ve put together the below resources. Feel free to let us know if you know of a website related to crappie that should be listed below. Don’t forget to share the Fishing Tips Depot with your friends, co-workers and fellow anglers.

• The Crappie Fishing Handbook – Everything you need to know about Crappie in an easy to read book. This book provides clear instruction that will make you a better fishermen.
• Crappie Discussion Forum – An excellent community of crappie fishermen who discuss everything and anything related to crappie fishing.
• IGFA All-Tack White Crappie Record – Get real-time data on the current world record for white crappie.
• IGFA All-Tackle Black Crappie Record – Get real-time data on the current world record for black crappie.