Mobile Tactics for Prespawn Crappies
Crappies waiting to move shallow in spring often relate to weedgrowth at the mouths of spawning bays. Cast and swim small jigs or micro crankbaits to locate and catch pods of roaming fish.
Throughout the spring season, there are peak periods when fish of all species congregate in large numbers. This is especially true for crappies, which are schooling fish by nature. The pre-spawn period is particularly exciting, as mega schools of crappies gather in shallow spawning sites. In this article, we will discuss when and where to look for these big crappies, as well as how to catch them.
The Importance of Water Temperature
One of the key factors that determines the movement of crappies during the pre-spawn period is water temperature. Crappies typically spawn when the water temperature reaches 62 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit. However, if the water is colder than that, they will be concentrated in the general vicinity just slightly deeper than where they will eventually move up to spawn.
Finding the Fish
As the weather conditions change throughout the week, crappies will move up and down in the water column. When it gets cooler, they will drop back down to deeper water. Therefore, it is important to focus your efforts in areas where you know the crappies will be moving up and spawning. By actively fishing and moving around, you can connect with a few fish and locate the school.
A Mobile Approach
Contrary to popular belief, a mobile approach is often necessary when fishing for crappies during the pre-spawn period. Rather than staying in one spot, it is recommended to use a trolling motor and keep moving until you find the fish. Set your trolling motor to around 30 to 40 pounds of thrust and continue searching until you locate the school.
Fishing Emergent Vegetation
One effective strategy for catching pre-spawn crappies is to target emergent vegetation. Look for areas in front of the mouth of bays where there is a deep water cut, typically around 12 to 14 feet deep. Adverse weather conditions can cause the crappies to pull up and stage in this deeper water before moving in to spawn. By fishing in these areas, you can increase your chances of finding the schools of crappies.
Staging and Scattered Fish
During the pre-spawn period, crappies are not tied to any specific piece of ground. They are scattered out over the flats and areas adjacent to their spawning sites. This means that they are constantly moving and not staying in one place. Therefore, it is important to take a mobile approach and keep searching until you find the fish. Once you locate a few fish, you can focus your attention on that school and increase your chances of catching more.
In conclusion, the pre-spawn period is an exciting time to target big crappies. By understanding the importance of water temperature and knowing where to look, you can increase your chances of success. Remember to take a mobile approach, fish emergent vegetation, and keep searching until you find the schools of crappies. Good luck and happy fishing!
