| Crappie fishing in winter can be a daunting | | | | structure they can find, so choose a bait that will |
| challenge but cheer up there is help. Super crappie | | | | be found in shelter they are hiding in. Most waters |
| fishing really begins after the ice is long gone in | | | | will get a little clearer when they ice over. When |
| the spring but its cold now and we are hungry for | | | | this happens use smaller jigs. |
| that clean white morsel of meat. | | | | I would also suggest using really light colors on the |
| So you ask how to catch the little guys and how | | | | jig like yellows and whites. Some of the smaller |
| to get that pan fish in your pan and when ice | | | | plastics seem to work well for me I like to use |
| fishing there are only a few key items to | | | | smaller grubs or tubes. When I know the water is |
| consider: bait, location and ice. | | | | clear I start with white or very light colors and |
| When it is cold the fish are slower and their | | | | work towards darker colors. But as the visibility |
| hunting patterns change. Do not forget this - | | | | of the water changes go with a color that is only |
| EVER. We are not much different, we like our ice | | | | slightly lighter. |
| cream in the summer and chili in winter. Keep this | | | | Remember most bait fish or insects are really |
| in mind when fishing in any water temperature. | | | | trying to blend in to the background so you want |
| Use fast baits in warmer waters and slower baits | | | | to stand out just a little bit more. It really is not |
| in colder waters. | | | | that hard when the waters are green use a |
| When the waters are cooler and sometimes | | | | slightly lighter green jig. But if the waters or |
| frozen everything below the surface moves | | | | currents are really active use a stiff plastic jig and |
| slower so when choosing jigs pick ones that | | | | if the waters are still use a feathered jig because |
| move slower, this means lighter weight too as it | | | | they will look more lively. |
| will not sink so fast. Many of the plastic jigs will | | | | Another good trick is to use a light colored body |
| move smoothly through the water, this is a great | | | | with a medium contrasting head. For example use |
| advantage in the spring months, but not so much | | | | a yellow grub with a red head or reverse it. But |
| in the colder waters. | | | | I've haven had a lot of success using opposite |
| Feathered jigs once wet will also smooth out and | | | | colors like red with green. |
| move quickly through the water but an artificial | | | | I know we do not carry a color wheel, although it |
| feather sometimes will fall slower than most | | | | might help, in our tackle box but if the color |
| plastics. Do not forget either that plastics will get | | | | combination seems unnatural chances are the |
| stiffer when they get colder and this is part of | | | | crappie might think so as well. You can use |
| the reason that smaller jigs work well in the | | | | opposite colors if there is a gradient between the |
| colder waters. | | | | colors. Just avoid sharp contrasting colors as |
| When the water temperatures drop below 50 | | | | these do not appear readily in nature. |
| degrees crappie will seek shelter in almost any | | | | |