Crappie Time of day, what is best

I have enjoyed reading the info and opinions in the previous post but I figure the Crappie are here regardless so we may as well catch em and eat em. I was down at the shoreline yesterday and noticed minnows around the flooded shoreline which made me suspect the Crappie likely would be into the bay already following the minnows. Am I wasting my time fishing in the day? Should I focus on dusk or morning? I have only been targeting Crappie for maybe 4 years now and it's always been random success in regards to numbers. As a note I am fortunate to live on the lake so the shoreline I am referring to is my property and is a safe area to be fishing from.

MC

Do you remember the turtle story you posted, with the crappie following the turtle. I do, as well as a few other posts you have written on your crappie quests. Yes, definitely get on your dock and fish now with the high water levels. You can even put the boat in and fish all around that immediate area where you have caught them before, around your dock. Hopefully no other boats to bother you, and try not to use the motor much. Just push off your dock and fish in a big circle around yourself. I mentioned to you a few years ago, the hours of 7am until 5pm during the day in the spring. Where ever you caught those crappie before is where they will be today, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Saturday it is going to rain so Sunday, Monday and Tuesday will be good as the forecast reads now, for the next week. It might be a bit slower with cold morning temperatures, so slow down the retrieve on your bait. When that sun gets higher in the sky, you should see more action. Use the same baits that you were successful with before, catching those other crappie. If the crappie are there you will definitely be happy with the results. I can't see any reason why they would not be there right now. Spring crappie has been in full swing for two weeks, depending on what lake you live on. Fishing pressure may be a factor, depending if there is a lot of boats near your place. Good luck...Let me know in a week how it went. The weather is in your favour for almost the next 8 days, but water levels won't stay this high much longer.

I'm definitely not a crappie fisherman but I have a couple of friends who really target them in the June - September period. They like to fish Sturgeon and Balsam. They only fish after dark, usually around 10pm - 2am. They have their favourite spots that they anchor on - always just inside the weedline on the inshore side. Usually in about 8 to 5 fow. Not in the thickest part of the weed bed, but where it gets thinner on the sides with open pockets. They have access to a front scan Garmin fishfinder and they say the schools are usually suspended in 18-25 fow during the day. Come dark they move inshore to feed at night. They don't spring fish them, so I don't know if the night time deal applies as well.

Fished Rice lake yesterday from 10-4. Tons of boats, but only a handful of fish being caught. I didn’t mange any crappie- just landed 2 bluegill. Water temp was 53deg and I was fishing around 8 feet

I have been trying on and off with limited success. First few days no fish at all. Then I started seeing fish (mostly sunfish) but still no bites. Then yesterday I caught 2 OOS LMB so I moved away from that spot. Then when I was about to head in the bobber didn't go down but went slowly on it's side and just layed there horizontal. I set the hook lightly and was rewarded with a nice 12 inch Crappie. It was at 8 pm just as the light was fading. Going to keep at it until I have a nice amount for a good fish fry.

MC

That is great. I am happy for you, but disapointed as well. You should have more fish. Unfortunately your spot likes to try your angler patience. There will be more crappie, I swear. Catching other species of fish is inevitable. Bass, catfish, blue gill, pumpkseed, perch. I have caught muskie when fishing for spring crappie. Crappie swim around with bass and blue gill all the time.That is a perfect size crappie, one is better than none. Is there any deeper holes around your place? There will be fish sitting in these holes. Maybe a culvert very close by where the minnows will be hiding. Don't change what you are doing, the fish are obviously there, just not in great numbers. Frustrating sometimes and fulfilling sometimes in the same spot. Happens all the time, keep it up. Don't forget the 7am to 5pm rule of spring crappie. Just because the fish don't hit today, doesn't mean tomorrow is a waste of time. Great job on your persistence, I am sure you will catch enough for a fish fry. You have caught the crappie there before, you will catch them there again.

One more thing, you can never fish too slow for crappie. My retrieve is as slow as a turtle walks. Try different speeds, stops and starts, but the slower the better. You can post a picture of your bait and jig size if you want. I only use quarter ounce jig heads from spring until fall. But my way of fishing for crappie and walleye is different than anyone I have ever met. Crappie and walleye follow my bait and hit it in their own time. It is rare for me to ever get a reaction bite from twitching the bait. My retrieve is almost always very, very slow and steady. This takes a lot of patience because it is an unorthodox way to fish for any species in the Kawarthas. Good luck, looking forward to seeing some more crappie pictures from you.