Spring is a great time to start fishing for crappie. The water is warm and the fish are biting. Here are some tips on how to catch them in the early season.
What To Wear?
When heading to the bank or the creek in search of some early season crappie, there are a few things you’ll want to bring along with you. While the temperature may be rising and the days are getting longer, the water is still cold enough to provide some great fishing opportunities.
Wearing warm clothing is essential when spending any time outdoors in May, especially if you’re targeting Crappie. Along with a jacket or sweatshirt, make sure to pack some hats, gloves and boots.
If you’re planning on fishing from a canoe or kayak, be sure to take along a fishing net, rod and reel as well as some line. Fishing lures such as jigs and spoons can also be a big help when targeting Crappie.
Finally, before you head out into the open water, be sure to check local regulations for minimum sizes and bag limits for both Crappie and Bluegill.
How To Catch Crappie?
The first time you go fishing for crappie in the spring, you’ll likely be nervous. After all, these hard-fighting fish can be difficult to land. However, with a little preparation and some helpful tips from us here at FishUSA.com, you’ll be catching plenty of crappie in no time.
Here are two tips for catching crappie early in the spring:
- Use a bobber and jig with a slow retrieve. Crappie are wary of moving quickly, so don’t try to catch them on impulse. Instead, work your jig slowly through the water column and let it sit there for a few seconds before pulling it back out again. This will give the fish time to see the lure and hopefully take it.
- Try different tactics when fishing from a boat or pier. When casting from a boat or pier, use long runners instead of short ones when jigging. This will give you more time to make your presentation before the fish grabs onto the bait. Plus, using long runners will help you cover more water area on your drop-shot rig or live bait setup.
Spring Crappie Fishing Tips
Early season crappie fishing can be a great way to take advantage of some of the warm water temperature changes. Here are some tips for catching crappie in the early spring:
- Use a jig tipped with a minnow or jumbo crawler. This will help you attract smaller fish that are more active early in the season.
- Try to find Crappie Banks or Structure in areas with lots of vegetation. These areas will give you plenty of cover and ambush spots for Crappie.
- Be patient, and don’t over fish the area. Crappie can be hard to catch in the early season, so taking your time will pay off in the end.
Spring is for the shallow
The early season slabs are here, and that means it’s time to get out there and start catching crappie. With warmer weather on the horizon, now is the perfect time to try your hand at some shallow fishing. Here are a few tips on how to catch crappie in the spring:
- Use a jigging rod with a 6’ or longer leader. This will help you cover more water and give you more chances of landing a fish.
- Use a soft-plastic jig with a small bait such as worm, minnow or shad. These baits will let you fish slowly and steadily near the bottom, where most crappie are hiding.
- Try different baits and jigs in different areas to see what catches the fish the best. Experiment until you find something that works best for you!
Spring crappie fishing in Louisiana
You should look for a vertical and submerged brush
area to start your search. Look for a large open water body with a steep drop off on one side and a shallow bank on the other side.
The brush should be in close proximity to some sunken Trees or Cover.
Crappie are mostly active during the early morning and evening hours, so locating a good spot to start your search should begin around dawn or dusk when they are most active. Once you have located the area, cast your line into the water and wait for a Crappie to take your bait. Be patient – Crappie can be quite elusive when they are first starting to become active in the spring.
Sun means surface
Early season slabs are the perfect time to start catching crappie. Let’s take a look at how to do it.
Crappie will return to the surface in cool weather or when predators are present
There are a few simple steps you can take to be successful when fishing for crappie in early season. Crappie tend to live in or near water, so fishing from a boat or shoreline will give you the best chance of success. Casting towards banks and shorelines with a soft-plastic or jigging with a bobber will give you better odds of catching a fish. When targeting Crappie early in the season, it is important to remember that they are ambush predators and will often strike when they feel threatened. This means that you need to use good judgment when selecting your spot to fish and be prepared to move quickly if something jumps out at you!
Last Thoughts
Crappie fishing in the early season can be a great way to get started on your spring fishing trip. Here are some tips for catching crappie in the early season:
- Start out by finding open water where there are good concentrations of baitfish. Try areas with deep channels or bays that offer good cover.
- Use soft plastics, jigs, and slip bobbers in most situations. Crappie will usually hit slip bobbers the best.
- When you find a good spot, try casting into areas where baitfish are holding and waiting for strikes. Be patient, and don’t overfish the area.
