What is the best way to catch crappie?

[gigman7]

I haven't had much luck this year.
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[idahopanfish]

Welcome to BFT. Where are you at? It may be that the water temp is not right yet. What did you try?
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[gigman7]

[quote idahopanfish]Welcome to BFT. Where are you at? It may be that the water temp is not right yet. What did you try?[/quote]
I really haven't had much luck with any fishing this year. I went catfishing today and not a bite. I'm in southern middle Tennessee. I've never had so many bad trips.
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[albinotrout]

Cold fronts have a tendency to turn off warm water species. Especially when it cools the water down. How are you presenting the baits you're using? Is the water stained or clear? What are water temps like? Conditions dictate how you present your baits.
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[CoyoteSpinner]

I'm really itching to figure out where the move into to spawn on local rivers. Willard N.Marina is a-typical, but closed this season.

Had a tip the other day - may be a bit off-base, but tossing gravel - all the flipping makes the Crappie think the minnows are under attack. Don't think it'd count as chumming, but I could see the reaction working...

Have some umbrella rigs I'm hoping to try - see if I can't emulate a school. Both crappie and kitty . . . who knows.
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[gigman7]

I've heard that in some places that the umbrella has become illegal.
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[WillCFish]

In the Spring work the Reeds and in and outside the weed beds. Later in the summer slow troll minnows on leadheads in 10 to 20 foot water. During the winter the deep basin out from the spawning areas.
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[wiperhunter2]

When you say slow troll, how slow are you going? 1 mph, 1/2 mph, slower?
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[WillCFish]

Slow trolling with an electric tolling motor so I would say 1mph or so. Just enough to vary the depth in the water column and keep it 20 - 30 feet behind the boat. Once yo get the speed and distance back right you'll make consistent catches.
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[wiperhunter2]

I've caught them in my local area trolling at 2.5 mph using crawfish cranks but we can't use live minnows here in Utah. I wonder if some type of minnow imitating lure trolled slow would work?
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[WillCFish]

Give these a try. Bass Pro or Cabela's should have them mail order. I used them very successfully casting over structure this summer for scattered Crappie.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRuyDC_KkcY
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[wiperhunter2]

I have actually used those while ice fishing, with good success but never tried them while casting. Are you using them while casting from a boat or other floating device? I can't imagine crappie being 20 to 30 ft from shore, unless they are spawning.
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[WillCFish]

Yes from a boat. There are man made structures scattered. Great fun!
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[BigFishCatcher1]

Ive always used live minnows or beetlespins to do the trick
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