Crappie Fishing!!!

Who else got in some GOOD Crappie Time this season so far?

Nice vid-good job dave

Thanks! It was a fun day to play with the slabs!

Yep… These pictures (June 5th, a couple weeks after the spawn) didn’t include the two 11’s, 12 and 13 for the day… all fish released!!! Two nights ago, different lake and similar results, all on plastics during the dragonfly hatch too!!!

Mark

Attachments:

1. 

   20190605_184717.jpg
   

2. 

   20190605_192455.jpg
   

If you don’t mind me asking what plastics did you get them to go on with so much forage available?

I can’t speak for mbenson, but I usually find that larger plastics after the spawn are more effective. I don’t obviously fish bedding fish, but I do fish the immediate pre-spawn period and right afterward using plastics in the 1.5″ to 2″ range being mindful of the profile, which I do not want very broad tailed or bodied. As soon as the water hits 70 degrees that all can change fast so using more aggressive bait actions and sizes [2 1/2″ to 3″] fit the bill for me better. Crappies are crappies so color change is likely going to occur several times thru a day of fishing a post spawn period.

Additionally, I haven’t seen too many instances in the post spawn where, even if the water is rife with insect chow, I can’t find a plastic that will trump that bug bite. These fish will dine on the east stuff such as an insect hatch but the warmer water really makes them a meat eating machine. Keitech makes the Swing Impact and Fat Swing Impact paddle-tailed worm baits in sizes from 1.5″ to huge sizes for pike. I use 1.5″ to 2 1/2″ regular Impact baits from the time the ice is out until the immediate pre-spawn when I leave crappies alone to do their thing. When they finish the spawning and move to deeper water the 2 1/2″ to 3″ Fat Impacts do real well for me in a paddle-tailed style of bait. 3″ twister style baits can get serious attention from even 10″ crappies. Don’t be afraid to jump up in plastic size. Here’s one of my favorites that I make for summer crappie whether in open water or around structure…..

This bait has a sturdy profile while that thin webbed split tail dances all over with a simple twitch of the line. Plus it fishes great on a variety of head weights and hook sizes. The tai, by the way, is actually a horizontal split tail but lays vertically in the picture.

Tom that is a good looking bait that I could see catching some MONSTER slabs later on when the fish start pushing out! I am going to have to get my head away from the idea of smaller bait profiles and start chucking some sizable forage! Thanks for the heads up!

DWSDave31 wrote:

If you don’t mind me asking what plastics did you get them to go on with so much forage available?

I work with, but mostly work for guide Rob Manthie bartending at his resort and he has been touting the Kalin’s Crappie Scrubb for years now!!! I will additionally when the bite is tough add a TriggerX Nymph in the 1.5″ size for some scent/flavor or even color change… But when its hot, the Scrubb will work all by itself, even on large gills!!!

A friend from the other night was using the 2″ Joker from Strike King and one of our old contributors used to tout BY-Baits which I use and like although I misplaced my box and can’t find them right now. Tom Sawvell (post above this) makes some great looking stuff from what I’ve been looking at since he’s been on this site!!! Pics coming from other sources, but I’ll post a few up.

Mark

Attachments:

1. 

   20190611_172954.jpg
   

2. 

   20190623_121609.jpg
   

3. 

   20190623_121516.jpg
   

4. 

   F455B4CF-061F-4993-A336-73DA656730BD.jpeg
   

5. 

   7D107058-C2B3-4F0E-AAA0-63429BE02D4A.jpeg
   

6. 

   179E31D8-FEA5-4ED9-B197-D13EF11D3669.jpeg
   

I really want to try that Joker from Strike King one of these days as a lot of people I know use that as their “go to” during the summer months! I am also a sucker for big gills so I kinda get hooked on using the Scrub from time to time just because you have that chance at a TOAD! lol

Dave:

I watched the vid and apologize for suggesting something you already use… but I guess it’s a testament to good plastics. I don’t use that color scheme and as showed the Tennessee Shad, I will also admit that the Acid Rain is a great product for lakes up here in the Northwoods. I tend to believe that the white belly is the difference maker.

Mark

Panfish love the crappie scrubs! Thread them on a 1/16 oz jig clipped to a small spinner. I’m partial to the blue/silver color, but tried the acid rain on a suggestion from Mark and they work equally as well.

I actually found the blue/silver ones… didn’t buy a package that trip, but certainly am entertaining the idea of scrubbs to replace beetle spin bodies…

Mark

I never would have thought to put the Crappie Scrub on a beetle spin! That’s a call them in search bait if I ever seen one!

Bob Schultz wrote:

I’m partial to the blue/silver color, but tried the acid rain on a suggestion from Mark and they work equally as well.

I need to try some different colors on the more clear bodies of water I fish!

Solid 14″ on the bump board… pounded them for 3 going on four hours after my brother did the day before. This fish was the biggest of the two days, no fish were hurt in the two days of fishing in the making of this video.

Attachments:

1. 

   20190630_103045.jpg
   

Nice fish guys. Was able to fish Friday and Saturday got into some nice ones. Biggest was 13. Surface water temp here was 79.6.

14 is a solid fish and when you catch more then one you are having a GOOD DAY lol I am hoping that I can get out at least one more time up north and get some numbers but till then I am still on the hunt for my new PB! I have to beat 16in!

DWS:

A long time ago, when I was closer to your age and tip-up fishing for last ice fish I plucked a 17 from Southern WI… I didn’t know what I had and would imagine after falling through the ice getting off that day, I filleted it. I manage to get a 14 or 15 up here every year, so am continuing that trend.

Went to a different lake last night and it took a while to find them in one of my favorite weedbeds, especially since it appears that E. milfoil may be taking it over, but in the outer mix of weeds, I was finding sparse cabbage and it was there that I was finding crappies last night and when I found that sweet spot, it was right after another for about an hour maybe a bit more last night.

And an atta boy Jeff!!!

Mark

I have one of the best BIG Crappie lakes right down the road and with the amount of 15-16in fish I have put back over the years I’m hoping for good carma at late ice some time and a 18+ to say hello!

The Joker is one excellent lure for large crappie. I got into a school a few years ago and caught 2 dozen in a short period of time – most over 11″ and a few over 13″. Went back to the same spot a day later and the the fish were still going nuts on Jokers – any color.

Spoon Minnow wrote:

The Joker is one excellent lure for large crappie. I got into a school a few years ago and caught 2 dozen in a short period of time – most over 11″ and a few over 13″. Went back to the same spot a day later and the the fish were still going nuts on Jokers – any color.

How do you rig your Joker? Jig? Hook and Bobber? Jig and Bobber? Casting? Size of jig? lol I now need to try the Joker!

How do you rig your Joker? Jig? Hook and Bobber? Jig and Bobber? Casting? Size of jig? lol I now need to try the Joker!

I only use unpainted ball head jigs and in the case of the Joker, 1/16 oz with #6 hook. Crappie aren’t the only fish to strike the Joker:

I’ve even cut the Joker’s tails off and attached them to a tube body

…and attached one to a soft stick

Spoon where did you get that weedless jig? I would love to fish that in a ned rig scenario!

I bought 38 lb test, AFW stainless steel, saltwater wire and shaped it. Amazon.com sells different wire diameters.

I use the same wire in a different gauge to make my Beetle Spins.

Oh lol Nicely done sir!