Early Season Crappie Fishing Spoons
Crappies are one of the most popular panfish anglers chase throughout the winter. Located all across the ice belt crappies can be found in large schools, are willing biters, and make a great table fare. In this article we will dive into early season crappie fishing spoons.
Understanding where to find crappies during the early ice period is just as important as knowing how to present your spoon. There are two key spots crappies can commonly be found in most lakes throughout the winter months. The first is the deepwater basins. These basins typically consist of muddy, soft bottoms and range in depths from twenty feet to as deep as forty or fifty feet. In most instances the crappies can be found suspended in the twenty-five to thirty foot range. These schools of fish constantly move around these basins searching for invertebrates and small baitfish.
The second place that crappies can be found is weed beds. The key to find crappies in weed is to identify weed beds that have access to deep water, a green, and standing tall. If you can find a spot with all there you can almost guarantee that there is a school of crappies located somewhere in the weed bed.
Finding First Ice
As the temperatures begin to drop and that lakes start to freeze finding safe ice can be a challenge. Lakes within close proximity will freeze at different times depending on the wind direction, shape and depth of the lake. One of the best ways to do some reconnaissance without having to drive to the lake is with the OnX Fish app.
Start by opening up the OnX Fish app on your phone or computer. Click on the layers button. Select aerial view and then select the recent satellite tab. This will show you recent satellite images allowing you to see how the ice is forming on your favorite lakes. With this feature you will also be able to see how the ice roads are forming and any cracks that may have emerged on the lake. It’s a great tool for scouting ice conditions on lakes that are a distance away from your current location.
Early Season Crappie Fishing Spoons
Spoons are wildly effective for crappies because they do a great job imitating small baitfish that crappies commonly feed on. Today’s ice anglers have a wide variety of ice fishing spoons available. Each type of spoon has its strengths, and many anglers will carry a variety of spoons in their tackle box to adjust to changing fishing conditions. Anglers should select the spoon they use depending on water clarity, weather, and the activity level of the fish.
The Importance Of Tungsten
Over the past decade tungsten has revolutionized ice fishing tackle. Tungsten is significantly denser than lead which allows for a smaller bait profile. This can be a huge advantage in ice fishing, where fish can be wary or more selective depending on bait size.
Another reason tungsten is favored by ice anglers is its enhanced sensitivity. Tungsten’s higher density allows for more direct contact with the fish, making it easier to detect bites. This is extremely beneficial when fishing for crappies over the deep water basins. The following is two great tungsten spoons that work great for winter crappies.
Northland Fishing Tackle Tungsten Slim Spoon in a 1/8-ounce size is a deadly crappie bait. Made of heavy tungsten with a thin profile, this spoon gets bait to the bottom fast allowing the angler to stay on the move. Once it’s down there, its flat sides and flicker blade adds flash and noise while its tumbling action entices big strikes from roaming crappies. It can be fished with or without livebait.
The second tungsten spoon what works fantastic for basin roaming crappies is the Northland Fishing Tackle Tungsten Buckshot Spoon in a 1/8-ounce size. The Tungsten Buck-Shot Rattle Spoon features a new material with a classic sound. Its density allows for the 1/8-ounce sized spoon to be the perfect size for big crappies. It features light reflecting fish scale patterns in combination with an array of finishes makes it perfect for any situation.
How To Trigger Strikes With Spoons
Triggering crappies on spoons is relatively easy because small spoons are excellent at mimicking the erratic, darting motion of small baitfish. If you work the bait with a controlled, yet action filled jigging motion, spoons can wildly effective without live bait.
There are several ways to trigger bites when fishing spoons. One of the most effective ways to trigger bites is to pound the spoon on the spot, letting the bait shake in place just above the crappie. This will allow the fish to key in onto your spoon and ambush it from below. Another effective triggering method is to slowly raise the bait up as the fish is coming in. This gives the appearance of a fleeing baitfish and it can be a great way to trigger a crappie into striking.
Early Ice Safety Precautions
Ice anglers venturing out onto first ice have to practice ice safety. Some places will freeze over before others and it’s critically you check the ice as you go. The ice thickness will vary from lake to lake and spot to spot. Anglers should always spud bar and check the ice as you go.
A few mandatory pieces of safety equipment you need to have if you plan on heading out onto first ice is a spud bar, ice picks, throw rope, and float suit. It’s also best to never walk out onto first ice without a fishing buddy. Take safety precautions and remember that cold water can be deadly and needs to be taken seriously.
FAQ’s
What are the best sized spoons for ice fishing crappies?
Spoons in a 1/32-ounce, 1/16-ounce, and tungsten spoons in a 1/8-ounce will work well for crappies. The key is to not use a spoon that is too big.
What is the best color ice fishing spoon for early season crappies?
Pink, chartreuse, white, and glow colors work exceptionally well for early season crappies.
Where should I look for crappies in winter?
Focus on weed beds and basins. Both of these areas will hold schools of crappies.
Conclusion
Spoons are among the most effective lures for targeting first ice crappies. They offer versatility and the ability to mimic a wide variety of prey. By understanding the behavior of crappies and selecting the right spoons; first ice anglers can have a ton of success chasing these tasty panfish.
