Midwinter Crappie

[Bill Collector Bob]

Based on the book questions from other threads I thought I'd share a link I cam across with you guys looking for some help chasing specks.

http://outinmichigan.com/2011/02/01/midwinter-specks/

Never thought about using one of these skirts for winter crappie but I guess it worked?

[Paul D.]

Thanks for the link.
 It is very good advise. The same pattern has been working well here in the N.E. .
To add a little, it may not be the deepest water in the lake, just the deepest in the area. We find most fish over 15-40 ft of water and figure they will mark well in the first 30% of water up from the bottom, but can be at any depth. The first depth to check is the same depth as any near by structure.

[eriksat1]

I tried around the deepest hole of a good crappie lake by me but nothing, 48 ft max depth but there is a lot of deep water and it could take a lot of searching. I did find some nice sized perch right on the bottom though so It wasn't a total waste. I know if I can find the crappie they are BIG in this lake. I didn't see anything suspended on my LX-5. I wish there was a short cut to hours of searching?

[raisinrat]

Sometimes there is no shortcut but to drill lots of holes. I think we all feel this way from time to time.

[bucktownboy]

Sometimes there is no shortcut but to drill lots of holes. I think we all feel this way from time to time.

I've been feeling this way lately ......lol

[Paul D.]

They shouldn't be that difficult to locate.  Pick up a book like Crappie Wisdom or the ice fishing series by Tom Greuwald (sp?). The are only a few "classic" crappie holding areas which will vary depending on lake type and a few other factors such as primary forage, bottom type, water clarity, and fishing  pressure. It could be a timing issue as well, can't get in that here till after ice out; but try to focus on dawn/ dusk times over what you feel are prime areas.
Yes , it does take a bit of drilling, but the pay off can be worth it.  They do move around a bit, and it pays to keep looking around close by even when you find um, the spot on the spot can produce results that are beyond belief .

The shallow lakes are the ones that give me the most grief and inconsistent results.


 

[eriksat1]

I did catch a few crappie yesterday in the deep hole in about 32 fow they were not suspended, but right off the bottom just like the perch. They could be feeding on bugs down there in the bottom muck like the perch.

[icemanbarry66]

17 in....2lbs 9 oz ..lower michigan

[raisinrat]

I did catch a few crappie yesterday in the deep hole in about 32 fow they were not suspended, but right off the bottom just like the perch. They could be feeding on bugs down there in the bottom muck like the perch.

I have found lakes that have a very rich bottom that is full of insects and aquatic worms you will find the hugging really tight to the bottom. It is an easier meal then chasing minnow and just like us they take the easiest meal they can get.lol

[raisinrat]

17 in....2lbs 9 oz .(Image removed from quote.).lower michigan

Barry we need fish sometime man. It has been a few years not sure you even remember me from the trap attack days. Shot me a PM if you ever want to.

[vicegripkiller]

great link, thanks

[eriksat1]

I would consider our season here right now as late mid winter, not quite late ice yet. I have found some nice crappie off a bar that tops off at about 8 ft, about 30 yards out off the bar in about 26' - 28' fow and the fish are from the bottom to about 4 ft up off bottom. Also it is not too far from the deepest water in the lake 40 ft.