When I think Pool-2 of the Mississippi River I think big walleyes and low boat traffic, not slab crappies. While our walleye bite this morning yielded good numbers of fish, size wasn’t quite what we were looking for. With that, our focus shifted from big walleyes to anything that would bite, which just happened to be some beautiful fall river crappies!
These crappies averaged about 12.5 inches with the biggest few touching 14 inches. They were incredibility aggressive and had no problem clobbering walleye plastics. Location was key when finding these crappies as they grouped tightly and as usual, when one was caught there were more to come. Keeping a close eye on small eddy’s and current breaks along steep rock shelves made for perfect crappie habitat and an easy place for these fish to ambush minnows. Most of the fish we found were suspended 4-7ft down in 10-13fow, typically hitting the baits on the drop.
Not planning on a panfish trip we had very little terminal crappie tackle in the boat and had had to make-do with what was available. Kevin started by putting on a clinic, catching numerous specks pitching a 3/16oz jig with a full paddle tail. Fortunately for us, BFishN Tackle’s H20 precision jig in the 1/8oz size makes for an outstanding crappie jig when tipped with the bottom half a of paddle tail plastic. Pitching our makeshift crappie rigs tight to shore followed by a slow retrieve, checking in with the bottom every once in a while, did the deed hooking up with 20+ specks (all C&R).
Overall our makeshift crappie trip turned out fantastic, especially considering we had no live and a box full of walleye gear. The best part of chasing these Pool-2 crappies are that we started and finished the day walleye fishing, giving us a quick break from pitching wing dams. Crappie fishing on Pool-2 is something I’ll definitely pursue in the future and makes for a nice change and quick break while out walleye fishing.
We’ll see ya out there 
Pete
Very nicely done! Making those changes and adapting sure put some nice fish in the boat.
Very nicely done! I’ve caught a few bigguns by accident out there but never have targeted them…..might have to give it a try. Thanks for the report. Very cool.
Now is that timing or what Pete. I did bring a bucket of minnows with today and spent a little time looking for crappies with no luck. It was hard to focus on paper mouths knowing there where walleyes to be had. Looks like I will need to give them another chance next trip out. Thanks for the report.
I feel with the low water summer we have had,its pushed them out into the channle here in P4 and when you find them,they are big.
Nice report Pete.
Suspended crappies in slack water areas?
Like these?
We started to spot these crappies about 8 feet down. They show up wonderfully in Side Imaging.
Nice ‘pies Pete!
No doubt Mike, talk about timing!
Someday Jason, I’m not sure how much fishing I’d get done if I had one of those in the boat
Nice Job Pete!!
Great fish Pete! It doesn’t matter where or what you’ll catch em, won’t you? Good work
You are on fire Pete!!! Great looking slabs!
Jami
Jason, or anyone who uses side imaging, I still cannot get the hang of exactly what I’m looking at with those units. is there a way to “explain it” so that it makes sense in one’s head as what angle and view you are seeing when you are seeing that pic?
Dang,those are nice crappies!
Awesome lookin’ river specks Pete, Great job
Great fish Pete. Makes me want to hit a couple of my fall crappie spots.
Great report Pete
wow, i had no idea there were slap crappies like that in pool 2!! were you in the main river channel?
I’ve snagged a few before with crankbaits while bass fishing, but nothing ever that big.
nice work!