Summer Crappie Fishing

If you're looking to max out on crappies this summer, look no further. To some fisherman, crappies are the only pan-fish worth catching and might even be the only species they ever fish for, and with good reason. But have you ever noticed when you're out trying to catch some bass, you end up catching nothing but pan-fish (crappies, bluegills and such)?

And then when you want nothing more than to come home with a stringer full of crappies, they're nowhere to be found?

Well if you're in the mood to spend a day at the lake raking in the crappies like a pro, then take a look at what the pro's say about what they use and how they use it.

First of all, around this time of year (August as of now) when the water temperature finally begins to warm up, you won't find crappies in the shallows. By this time, crappies are done spawning and typically abandon the cover they used during spring, which means you'll have to do some work trying to find schools of them.

What to look for: You might want to be the owner of a boat and a fish finder or else you will have a hard time finding these guys, but if not your best best is finding a dock to fish off of in somewhat deep water. You want to start out where it's deep- about 15-20 feet deep or even deeper depending on the clarity of the lake your fishing. What you want to keep an eye out for is any deep weed edges, rocky humps, or points on your finder. In turbid water, crappie may be hanging only 6-12 feet below the surface so water clarity plays a large role in determining where exactly the crappie are hanging.

What to use: Jigs: 1/16-to 1/8-ounce jigs. Spinning tackle is preferable, with light line as well-- 4lb test at most.

How to use it: Fished jigging vertically to locate the fish, or it can be slow-trolled or even cast with this method.

A few lures that I personally have a huge amount of luck catching crappie with is Leland Lures' "Trout Magnet" or "Crappie Magnet". They both work great during summer month crappie fishing, and I quite honestly have had more luck with the "Trout Magnets".

Crappie fishing this time of year is for a fact better during the early and later hours, so take that into consideration before planning a full day of crappie fishing.

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Sergio DiGirolamo - EzineArticles Expert Author