BANK FISHING FOR SLAB CRAPPIE IN SPRING

Do you want to learn how to catch fat crappie in the spring time right from shore? We share our favorite spring crappie techniques.

Spring can be one of the most productive times of year for fishing for a lot of different species of fish. The spawn happens in the spring for bass and crappie, and so they move into shallow waters to stage and prepare their beds. It creates a fantastic opportunity for bank fishermen to hook into fat slab crappie they might not otherwise be able to target. But locating the fish can be a bit of a crap shoot (pun intended). By paying attention to the following signs, you will increase your chance for success.

“In Northeastern North Carolina, you can expect the crappie to spawn in mid to late March, or even as late as April, when water temperatures reach between 55º-60ºF. The height of the spawn occurs when those temps rise to the mid 60s to lower 70s.”

In Northeastern North Carolina, you can expect the crappie to spawn in mid to late March, or even as late as April, when water temperatures reach between 55º-60ºF. The height of the spawn occurs when those temps rise to the mid 60s to lower 70s. Water clarity will help determine at what depth crappie make their beds. Typically, the clearer the water, the deeper they'll stage (4-6 ft usually). In muddier water they may set up in as little as 2 feet. You'll want to look for shallow, calm areas of water with sparse vegetation or structure close to shore. Stumps, reed beds, grass mats, or man made structures such as duck blinds, docks, or wood duck boxes make perfect spots for crappie to hole up during this period of time.

The window of opportunity to target these spawning fish is relatively short. In small fisheries you can expect spawning to last anywhere from 2-3 weeks. In larger bodies of water where temperatures can fluctuate from one area to another, the spawn may occur for up to 6 weeks.

HOW TO CATCH THEM

There are a number of tried and true techniques for targeting and catching spawning crappie ranging from live bait, to small jigs, or even using large bass lures. Our personal favorite, though, is a bobber rig. You can use either a slip bobber with a bobber stop, or a stationary bobber with a 1/16 or 1/32 oz. jig paired with a curly tail grub or minnow lure on 4-8 lb. line. Set your depth to about 2/3 of the water depth and cast along cover. Slowly retrieve the lure by gently lifting the jig, and then allowing it to fall.