Crappie trolling work because crappie do not move random in the water. Instead, crappie has a preference for certain depth in the water column, and those depth change throughout the year. By understanding how deep crappie are at different time of year, and by knowing how to appropriate troll according to those depths, angler can simplify crappie fishing.
In the spring, the water is relatively cool, and crappie will be found in the shallow area of the lake to spawn. Within these shallow area, the crappie like to find areas where the sun natural warms the water to the surface; it likes to spawn near brush pile, docks, and other areas with submerged wood. During this time of year, angler should fish crappie at slow trolling speed, and slow when trolling in these shallow areas.
Where Crappie Are by Season and How to Troll Them
The depth chart indicate that crappie will be near the top of the depth chart in the spring, and will remain in these area until the water surface warm. After the spawning season, the crappie will begin to move into deeper area in the water. In the summer, the water is the warmest of the year and the crappie will be found in the middle and deeper depth of the lakes.
These depth have a noticeable change in the water temperature with changing depth within the lake; these area contain the most dissolved oxygen, and the most baitfish. Because of this, crappie will congregate in these area in the summer. Because of the depth of the crappie, angler must adjust the trolling speed of their boat.
If the angler sets the trolling speed to too fast of a rate, the bait will not reach these crappie. Too slow, and crappie will not be interested in the bait. Using a fish finder to locate where the crappie are will allow angler to adjust the fishing line and the weight of the bait so that the bait will remain at that depth while trolling.
In the fall, the water begins to cool, causing the crappie to move towards the middle depth of the water column to feed before winter arrive. During fall, crappie are more active; they will accept trolling speed that are faster then during the spring or summer season, and they will be found in the middle depth of the water. In the winter, crappie will be found in the basin and main channel of the lake, often to depth of twenty feet.
Because crappie are less active during the winter month, they will remain within one area throughout the water column. Because of this, angler must find the deepest part of the deepest area on the depth chart. Additionally, because crappie are less active during the winter, trolling speed must be slow, and the weight of the fishing line must be heavy.
Additionally, because the crappie are likely to be sluggish in these area, the line should be fluorocarbon so that it will not be visible to the crappie. Under the seasonal card on the depth chart are additional tip regarding crappie fishing. One of these tip is that crappie are primarily found in relation to the temperature of the water.
Rather than relying upon the time of year to find crappie, angler should use a water temperature detector to determine where crappie will be found. For instance, during late fall, if the water temperature begin to even out to the spring temperature, crappie may be found in shallower depth. During the spring, crappie will congregate in deeper area of the water.
Beyond the depth of the crappie, there are suggestion for the type of lure that should be used. Light jig and small crankbaits will work best in the shallow area during the spring and fall, as these type of live bait will fall slowly in the water. For the deeper area where crappie gather in the summer or winter, angler will require heavier lure with lips so that the bait can reach those depth.
Additionally, live minnow on a weighted fishing rig will work well in area below fifteen feet in depth, and multi-jig rig will help angler cover more water in which crappie may be discovered. The trolling speed and weight of the fishing line will affect the depth at which the bait will travel. Too fast of a trolling speed will cause the bait to move too quick into area beyond the crappie.
Too slow of a speed will cause the bait to get snagged on underwater feature such as logs. A trolling speed of one point three mile per hour is recommended, but adjusting to the depth finder to the depth at which crappie are located will allow angler to find the best trolling speed. Additionally, the type of fishing line that is used will affect crappie fishing.
For instance, fluorocarbon fishing line will be less visible to the crappie when used in clear water. Braided line may be used when trolling deep or stained water. At the bottom of the depth chart are pro tip to help angler have a better day fishing for crappie.
Using a fish finder to determine the depth of the crappie will save angler time. Counting out the line will allow angler to return to a depth that was productive without guessing where to troll. Additionally, adding a stinger hook to the lure will help ensure that crappie are hooked when they bite upon the tail of the lure.
At the bottom of the depth chart are item that are required for effective crappie trolling. An ultralight rod with a sensitive tip will help angler understand when the crappie are interested in the bait. Rod holder allow for multiple line to be cast into the water to different depth.
An aerated bait well will allow live minnow to stay alive, which is important when trolling deep water for crappie. Near the bottom of the depth chart is a quick reference table that include information regarding crappie movement throughout the year. During spring, crappie will be in shallow area to spawn; during hot summer weather, crappie will be in the middle depth of the lake; during fall turnover, crappie will be in the middle depth of the lake again; and during deep winter month crappie will be in deep water basin.
While it is not necessary to memorize the table, remembering that crappie exhibit the same movement each year will help angler anticipate where the crappie will be during certain month of the year. The main idea of the depth chart is that angler must find the depth at which crappie are located. Once angler finds the depth at which crappie are located, the proper type of lure, the weight of the line, and trolling speed should be used to return to that depth.
The crappie lie in a narrow band of the water, so covering that area at the correct depth will be more effective for angler than randomly trolling different area of the water.