Re: Crappie
Late fall through early spring they will be holding in deeper water , ~20-30' , along channels and points with sunken trees/stumps/other structure . Also , mid lake humps are productive .
Here is where a good locater and a chart will pay for themselves .
When the water temps start to climb in late winter/early spring , they will start to move into shallower water , and , start feeding more agressively as they prepare for spawning .
Water temperature is CRITICAL for finding them at this time of year and up to the spawn .
As the water temps rise , they move into bays/coves/creek mouths , tenatively at first .
A day or to of warm sun and mild winds will bring them shallower , but , 1 cold day will put them back down deep .
A couple degrees will make the difference between coming home skunked or , having a nice limit of slabs .
Maribou jigs , tube jigs , twister tails , small spinners , and , minnows , are the best baits . Start small and keep changing colors/patterns untill you find the magic combination . These fish can be finnicky beyond belief 1 minute , and , hit anything they see the next .
Remember that crappie always look up and adjust your presentation accordingly .
Fish a couple inches too deep and you will be skunked .