I am anxious for open water crappies. I am already putting a game plan together and figuring out my tactics. When the ice first leaves, remember, that water is still cold, upper 30’s to low 40’s. Crappies and other species are still a bit lethargic. They are hungry, but just not moving too fast. They want their meal slow and most of the time, downright still. So casting/retrieving is too fast. Perfect time of the year for bobber fishing slowly. Their appetites are good and getting better. They will take a larger meal then ice fishing choices. If one was ever going to use crappie minnows, this is defiantly the time of the year. A small crappie minnow either on a plain hook or tipped on a small jig is the right idea. Sure you can land some on a plain jig, but as the water slowly warms, they are looking for something just a bit more enticing, smell and taste will tip the odds in your favor.
What is really the challenge this time of the season and probably one of the most important consideration is DEPTH.
What depth will they be at. The pros of course will tell you this time of the year is to look to the most northern exposure of the particular body of water you are fishing. Shallow muddy bays warm up the quickest. So when they say shallow, how deep is shallow. This is where you have to experiment to decide what the fish that day consider shallow. Sometimes can vary from only a couple feet down to 5 or 6 feet to be thought of as shallow. On bright sunny and warmer days they will be up closer to the surface and closer in. On cloudy, windy days and if a cold front moves in, out they scatter into the deep waters of winter and again will suspend at different depths, depending on their comfort zone.
OK so lets say the body of water you picked that day is nothing but shallow for example the back waters of the Mississippi where I usuall go for first open water crappies.
This is were depending on the weather will depend on depth and can vary. Sunny bright days, try higher, nothing lower it. Most northern exposure and sheltered areas is really important here. Crappies are looking for two things right now. Spawning is not one of them. Rather for this frigid water, they want warmth and just as important, food.
Use minnows and think like a minnow. Where would you head in this cold enviroment. Remember if it looks good to eat and maybe a little higher, they will come up, but they will do it in slow motion. So that is where bobber fishing can be most productive, providing it is sitting still for easy pickings.
Comeon first open water.
March 17, 2006 at 6:25 am
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