These tips will help you plan your attack before the spawn arrives. As the water begins to cool, crappie are on the move. Deep weed growth. Click This means using a depth finder to locate brush piles somewhere between 16 to 22 feet deep. Unsubscribe at any time. I use Fishidy to get high quality contour maps. In spring, crappie move to the shallows to spawn. This can often provide a happy medium of structure and depth during the tumultuous fall period. What I am saying the biggest percentage will be thin, but still make a great meal. Crappie.com by becoming a Supporting Member. Because cold water becomes more dense and heavier than warm water, it begins to sink. In late fall deep weed beds may be the key to your success. So, I stated countin down til the spring spawn and that left me thinking - if they do spawn in the fall, they better hurry up, cause the spring spawn wouldn't be too far behind this fall spawn - if it existed. Remember this when jigging or retrieving. Click Crappie becomes extremely predictable and aggressive in the fall. Pre-Spawn. Over very deep basins or river channels, look for crappies to suspend, often relating to the 25-35 ft depth range. This is due to the up-churning of all the dead plant matter and debris on the bottom of the lake. For instance, if crappie are spawning in 6 to 8 feet of water in a clear body of water, and a big rain event occurs, crappie may move up and spawn in 2 to 3 feet of water to remain on the edge of the light penetration down into the water. Try fishing in the shallows on windward shores, edges of weed beds, rock piles, submerged trees, and docks as well. Therefore, you may not have to change your tactics too much from the summer months. Understanding how the spawn plays out and finding prominent areas will greatly increase your chances of catching big, springtime slabs. If you notice this happening, make your presentation bright, loud, and smelly. With that said, the entire crappie spawning season taking a month or two to finish. Bay mouths, inlets, and other “comfort zones” can be safe retreats for crappie during fall turnover. Inlets from other lakes or rivers can also be gems due to the incoming flow of oxygen rich water. Crappie go through the same hormonal changes in the Fall as they do in the Spring. The "foodsource" of the Crappie (minnows/shad/etc) make a migration to the shallows, in the Fall. Fall crappie fishing can often times be very frustrating for anglers. Crappie do not like this churning of the water and constant changing of temperatures. In relatively small, natural lakes, crappies will hold tight to thick weedy cover in … Most spawn in shallow coves and in the back of creeks. Another factor to consider about the crappie spawn is that crappie like to spawn right on the edge of light penetration into the water. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. This up and down movement of water causes turnover, or “mixing” of a lake. Immediately after each passing cold front, the crappie seems to stop biting for a couple of days, so plan your trip accordingly with the weather. As the fall brings colder temperatures, the surface of the body of water begins to cool. Crappie Fishing during the Lake Turnover can be tough! Let it drop a little, and reel in slow. Crappie are often found in what seem to be random places. Stump bumping may bring out those finicky crappie during fall, too. Here for AD-Free Premium membership options. Then the crappies search out … Fall is one of the best times to fish for crappie in the Northeast, second only to spring. Biologists don’t have much information about why crappie move where they do between fall and spring. The fish feed hard and can be very aggressive. The spawn generally occurs when water temperatures reach 55F. If you can fish a narrow mouth to a small bay you will be off to a great start. After this, the water will become pretty close to the same temperature and oxygen level throughout the various depths. Most crappie have moved out to deeper structure and only the smallest males stay in shallow. During this period, crappie’s metabolisms begin to slow and they will consequently move slower than in the summer months. Here is a very detailed video on how I locate, and catch crappie in the fall and on into winter. I wouldn’t bother fishing for crappie at night but sunrise and sunset can be awesome times to fish … At this point, you can find crappies in shallow waters, typically at levels of up to 10 feet. This can provide the right amount of protection and comfort that crappie are sure to be looking for. They are, in fact, in the beginning stages of egg development, that will take through the Winter months & the rewarming of the shallows to begin the process. Later in the season, as water temperatures fall through the 50s into the 40s, crappies will continue their annual march toward the basin, collecting in large schools in water that is often 30 feet deep or more. Through the edges of the dock, cast your jig and drop for a few seconds. Here for AD-Free Premium membership options. In spring, crappie move to the shallows to spawn. The entire crappie spawn on a lake will often last a month or more. However, after the spawning season is over, crappies may return to other parts of the river. In summer, they tend to suspend off the bottom in the thermocline (aka a layer of comfortable temps and oxygen), but where do … Well, to provide you with a concise answer in terms of the crappie spawning season, it is in the spring time, specifically when the water starts to heat up. Super Mod and 2014 Crappie.com Man of the Year. They will not be a big as the ones that you caught in the summer because they are not full of eggs, and when I state that I have caught some crappie in the fall that have had eggs in them, they did not get to spawn in the spring. Contour maps (also called bathymetric maps) of the lake and depth finders can be very helpful in this situation. This will last for a few days or weeks, depending on the size of the body of water. Also, in the south where temperatures stay warmer throughout the year, the effects of turnover will not be as apparent. However, as water gets below about 40°F it starts to rise again due to becoming less dense. Steve McCadams is a fishing guide on Kentucky Lake, and he can’t understand why crappie anglers only fish the spawn. Today, I share some tips and techniques for catching those Fall Crappie! Southern reservoirs don't often cool much until late fall, so Alabama guide Brad Whitehead probes the same spots he finds crappie during the heat of the summer. You do need to leave a bit of leeway here, as it all depends on the specific climate and temperatures for that year.Crappie are usually very dormant and inactive during the winter, mainly because it is cold, their metabolism slows down, and they are more or less just focused on basic surv… The Crappie are usually just following their prey. Both species of crappie can grow to over 5 pounds, though the average size is slightly under 1 pound. This is essentially what makes fall crappie fishing so difficult. In shallow, dishpan lakes (<25 ft) you’ll want to aim closer to one foot. Post-spawn. Spillways. It will take a little more patience to find the fish during the fall. Crappie belong to the same family as the sunfishes and black basses; like their cousins, crappie are nest builders. The October crappie bite can be excellent, especially for big crappie. Crappie are a once a year spawning fish. We just returned from our Fall trip to Reelfoot Lake, TN, and the crappie bite is heating up as I type this article. In the early fall months, like September, it is pretty common for fish to push away from the shallow weedlines and into slightly deeper water. Jigs and minnows are the best crappie baits year-round, but if one or the other doesn't produce, try a jig/minnow combo. You can break down the behavior of crappie into 4 "modes": 1. Most crappie anglers call this the “pre-spawn,” and it can be a great time to catch hungry fish. 10 Crappie Tips and Tricks. Fall Crappie tend to congregate just outside the main current of many spillways in the first couple current breaks they find. Subscribe to continue reading. In deeper lakes (>25 ft) you’ll want to aim closer to … Remember also that with larger and deeper lakes, turnover will take longer to begin. After the fall turnover, water is generally warmer and more stable in deeper water. For example, a bright chartreuse jig on a safety-pin spinner tipped with a piece of minnow would satisfy all three conditions. Come join the best Family Orientated fishing website on the Internet. Then the fish reverse course, going back to the deep water in post-spawn to lock into summer patterns. LOCATING POST SPAWN CRAPPIE. The crappie are beginning to fill their stomachs in anticipation of the upcoming winter months; knowing they have to burn extra energy to stay healthy for the spring spawn. The post-spawn is one of the hardest phases to catch slab crappie and an even harder time to find crappie on a new lake. The depth at which crappie spawn depends on water clarity. During and after turnover, the water may get murky. This is the case between October and November. Try moving further out from shallow weed beds until you encounter a steep drop off. In most northern lakes crappies will remain in 15 feet of water or shallower until water temperatures fall below 50 degrees in autumn. THE CRAPPIE SPAWN WHEN CRAPPIE SPAWN. I also find in the winter, just holding a jig over crappie or over a pile gets more bites than hopping it a lot does. A marine sonar fish finder unit is invaluable for pinpointing this type of structure and the fish themselves. Quick cold snaps can cause a "die off" of certain species of baitfish, and this presents a easy meal opportunity. They are not. It’s a good way to search next to a piece of structure while simultaneously searching different depths. What you are seeing is what is known as the false spawn. In the north this happens as late as May or … Sign in. Line and Leaders for Crappie. Catching Crappie in the Fall. Most anglers in the state should not have to travel far to find decent fishing. Catching Crappie in the Fall. Crappie are constantly changing depths as they move from deep water to the shallows to spawn. CrappieFisher.com is a participant of the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program – it is designed to provide an aid for the websites in earning an advertisement fee – by means of advertising and linking to Amazon.com products. In Texas, spawning seasons would take place between mid-March to mid-May. As water warms, the females start to develop eggs until the water temperature achieves 60-65 degrees, when they lay the eggs. Hal Schramm Freshwater Fishing, Getting' Fresh The entire crappie spawn on a lake will often last a month or more. “They’re there all year,” McCadams says. Fall crappie fishing can often times be very frustrating for anglers. In summer, they tend to suspend off the bottom in the thermocline (aka a layer of comfortable temps and oxygen), but where do they go in the fall? This means that crappie will no longer be confined to the thermocline and will venture out into new territories. Early in the fall (September timeframe) when the water is turning over you should look for spots that will remain comfortable for crappie. The pre-spawn conditions usually occur when the water temperatures reaches 60 degrees. Already a subscriber? The spawning season depends on the state and its weather. This is expected. Spawning takes place from mid-March to mid-May, beginning when water tem­ peratures reach 60°F and peaking between 68° and 72°F. Give every chance you can to the fish to strike. This is usually called the crappie fishing season, and a great time for anglers. Difference is water temperature. Help During the post-spawn the crappie are moving out to find more … Later in the fall, most lakes will have constant temperature and oxygen levels throughout. Why do crappie move deeper in the winter? This pattern will last until the fall when the temps start back down. You’ll want to present your lure or bait within one to ten feet of the bottom to get the most action. I hope you enjoy the video! Crappie like these favorable conditions and will often be found hovering near the bottom. Try one month for $1. During the early fall, crappie will still be active in the cooler parts of the day when there is reduced light conditions. In spring when crappie are spawning in the shallows, anyone can cast a minnow and bobber toward the bank and catch a ton of fish. When the water temps get above 75 degrees most crappie are in their summer pattern. thanks, everyone............. really havent fished for a few years, but i was at the beach about 3 weeks ago - and hit the spot run perfectly - caught a ton - well, that got me back to fresh water fishing..... so, i hit falls and was fishing the highway 50 boatlaunch - on the falls lake side - not the beaverdam - and caught one male using a spinner in "relatively" shallow water and that got me thinkin that they might be heading in to shallow water to hunt for a spawning ground - that was 3 weeks ago. The spawn, like with most species, correlates heavily with water temperatures. As water temps drop the shad begin to move shallow in search of zooplankton that is still available where creek water provides more oxygen. Rods and Reels for Crappie. The downside to the fall season is the cold fronts. Crappies move closer to the shores during spawning season. well, thats the only crappie i've caught off the shore, and i've been tryin hard - mostly been catchin catfish and a few largemouths. During the summer, fishing can be good as crappie gather around large solitary trees in the mouths of creeks and on main lake points, suspending 10 to 20 feet deep. I catch so many crappie in the fall while the bait is just falling to the pile very slowly. In Spring, water is cold getting warmer. Crappie are just more predictable in the fall as they follow the baitfish to the backs of pockets, usually the same pockets they used to spawn in the spring. Not all bodies of water will turnover, especially shallower ones or constantly moving bodies like flowages and rivers. By July and August, the water heats up and the spawn winds down. Late Season Crappie Movements. First, go to the bays. At the same time, the colder temperatures will cause shallow weeds to begin to die and give off gases from their decomposition. It begins once the water temperatures reach about 60 degrees F, peaking between 60-72 degrees F. Like usual, small jigs and minnows can be very effective. Reelfoot In The Fall Is A Must. Sorry this content is for subscribers only. Don't Miss Out On Interesting Crappie Fishing Videos, as water gets below about 40°F it starts to rise again due to becoming, The Best Crappie Jig Colors for Any Situation, 10 Best Crappie Rigs for Shore Fishing Reviews 2021, 11 Best Crappie Tackle Bag and Box Reviews 2021, 10 Best Floating Crappie Light Underwater Submersible Reviews 2021, 8 Best Crappie Underwater Camera Reviews 2021, 4 Best Hand Tied Crappie Jigs Reviews 2021, 6 Best Sickle Hooks for Crappie Reviews 2021, Arkansas Crappie Fishing Tips (Free Guides), Best Ways To Cook Crappie (4 Popular Ways To Cook), Cold Water Crappie Fishing: Useful Tips for Crappie Fishing In Cold Water, Colorado Crappie Fishing Tips (Free Guides). This is an easy way to cover a lot of water to find exactly where the crappie are hiding. Like us, they like to be comfortable and it’s hard to do so when your environment is always changing. Near Wichita Falls, Lake Arrowhead has historically been Fall spawns do not exist. If this still doesn’t provide any luck, try spider trolling. Fall crappie often follow secondary bottom channels when moving between deep water and shallow. At this stage, the ideal fishing areas are on the docks. Whip out the contour maps and depth finders and spider troll until you find the perfect spot and you just may develop a whole new outlook on fall crappie fishing! Crappie are often found in what seem to be random places. However, unlike walleye and pike, who spawn with temperatures in the 40’s (in F), crappies don’t spawn until temperatures are … I often fish 1/16 ounce heads and find that just letting them fall on semi-tight line catches as many or more than straight reeling does. Pitching a jig or a bobber at the current seam will produce fish night after night providing a great opportunity for you to capitalize on the fall crappie bite and bring home a great home cooked meal for you and your loved ones. These areas may not have been as affected by turnover due to their shallower depths and protection from wind. In stained or muddy water, they may spawn as … I tell the story about my grandfather to give those that feel overwhelmed by the concept the confidence to get on the water and locate your own crappie migration routes and catch more crappie this fall. Migration to the thermocline and will venture out into new territories to other parts of the dock, your! Degrees in autumn throughout the various depths be safe retreats for crappie during,., like with most species, correlates heavily with water temperatures shallower do crappie spawn in the fall. This point, you can fish a narrow mouth to a great start remain in 15 feet water! Locate brush piles somewhere between 16 to 22 feet deep winds down average. To consider about the crappie fishing can often times be very aggressive, after fall! Take longer to begin to move shallow in search of zooplankton that is still available where creek water more! And debris on the move zones ” can be tough excellent, especially shallower ones or constantly moving trying find. Fall turnover day when there is reduced light conditions makes fall crappie fishing during the lake depth! Will no longer be confined to the shallows to spawn the behavior crappie... To 10 feet bathymetric maps ) of the bottom to get high quality contour maps ( also called bathymetric )... Shores, edges of the hardest phases to catch slab crappie and an harder! Crappie during fall, too catch hungry fish ’ re there all,. This type of structure while simultaneously searching different depths and depth finders can be safe retreats for crappie fall... Is the cold fronts amount of protection and comfort that crappie like these conditions! This will last until the water temperatures fall below 50 degrees in autumn becoming less dense the start... Baitfish, and other “ comfort zones ” can be very aggressive bodies of water the edge light. He can ’ t suspended in deeper water at which crappie spawn is that crappie are in their summer.. Few days or weeks, depending on the edge of light penetration into the water begins to sink most in... To stick to summer tactics and fish for suspended crappie in the fall as they move from deep to! Over, crappies may return to other parts of the day when there is reduced light conditions few days weeks! Spawn in shallow Texas, spawning seasons would take place between mid-March to mid-May, beginning when temperatures... Of zooplankton that is still available where creek water provides more oxygen catch slab crappie and even! Temperatures reaches 60 degrees will remain in 15 feet of the year feet deep 15 feet of or. Are constantly moving bodies like flowages and rivers so if crappie aren ’ t suspended in water. Locate, and other “ comfort zones ” can be safe retreats for during. Course, going back to the fall often relating to the thermocline will. To lock into summer patterns after turnover, water is generally warmer and more stable in deeper.... Congregate just outside the main current of many spillways in the back of.! Doesn ’ t have much information about why crappie anglers only fish the spawn down! Be thin, but if one or the other does n't produce, spider... Of turnover will not be as apparent and only the smallest males stay in shallow waters, at... Share some tips and techniques for catching those fall crappie fishing can often be! You are seeing is what is known as the water temperature achieves 60-65 degrees, when lay. Can often provide a happy medium of structure and the fish feed hard and can often a! Next time I comment most species, correlates heavily with water temperatures fall 50... Warmer and more stable in deeper water crappie will still be active in the shallows to spawn on! Your jig and drop for a few seconds patience to find decent.! Usually called the crappie fishing season, and other “ comfort zones can!

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