For many fishermen, catching Crappie in the Winter is near impossible. Some falsely believe that Crappie can not be caught at all during the colder months. This just isn’t so! Crappie have to feed during the Winter just like they do any other time of year. They’re fish, not Bears. They don’t hibernate!
The nice thing about Winter Crappie is that they tend to hold the same pattern for days, sometimes weeks, on end. Unless of course they’re disturbed by a Winter storm front or days of constant weather changes. Even then, once the weather settles, they generally go right back to their same old patterns.
Day in, day out, Winter Crappie can normally be found hanging around brush in the deeper water of most lakes. This usually includes submerged river and creek channels. Long periods of warm stable weather can cause the Crappie to move shallow. Keep this in mind if the weather has been nice the previous days leading up to your fishing trip.
A good lake or river map showing the bottom details is a must for Winter Crappie fishing. Search for those brushy areas along submerged breaks. Although Crappie normally hold in deep water during the Winter, there are times you can find them shallow. This will usually occur after a few days of warm weather. Crappie are likely to be only a few feet deep over brush or you may find them on the flats relating to structure.
Make sure you use the right tackle for Winter Crappie fishing.
Don’t make the same mistake of using the same tackle to catch Winter Crappie as you did back in the Summer or Spring. Think light for Crappie fishing in the Winter. Four pound test line, 6 or 7 foot ultralight rods and small baits is what will fill you live well. When the temperature drops, Crappie want smaller baits.
I like to use a light graphite spinning rod, four pound test line and small tube jigs or minnows to locate deep water Crappie holding in brush. My set up includes a 3/8ths weight tied to the bottom of my line with two drops space about 12 to 18 inches apart above the weight. This way, I’m able to “feel” my way around those deep brush piles.
My other Winter Crappie fishing gear includes tiny ice fishings jigs or spoons, jigs in the 1/32 or 1/64 ounce range and 2 to 4 pound test line. I know what you’re thinking. But Winter Crappie do not put up much of a fight and you should be able to horse any Crappie from a brush pile with this setup. Sure, you’ll lose a few, but you’ll catch more by downsizing than you will by using heavy rods, lines and baits.
Don’t overdo your jigging during the Winter. Crappie probably won’t chase down your offering, so move it very little and make it easy for them. One successful tactic I routinely use is to just do nothing with my jig. Sometimes just holding it motionless is all it takes. If you must move it, move the line ever so slightly with your index finger and keep the rod still.
Visiting the links below will take you to resources about catching Crappie anytime of the year.
Article Source: http://www.affsphere.com/Sports/Fishing/How-To-Catch-Crappie-in-Winter-1.html
