Black Crappie Facts For The New And Experienced Fisherman

When it comes to fishing, the crappie are some of the most popular types out there and can also be some of the easiest to catch. From new fishermen to the more experienced, many people still seek out black crappie and they can be a great deal of fun to catch.

The black crappie, scientific name, Promoxis nigro-maculatus, is actually a member of the sunfish family. It is most easily recognized by the dark color and the spotted fins. They also have seven or eight dorsal spines.

Black crappie are most commonly found in the northern states so if you fish up north often, you've probably already seen some at least once or twice. However, they can still be found in the southern states as well. In fact, crappie are commonly found all over the country, making them an easy fish for anglers to get.

Sometimes black crappie are known calico bass. This is a member of the sunfish family, as mentioned earlier. These fish are very popular, especially in areas of central Maine, even though they have been artificially introduced to the area. The fact that they are so easy to catch is one thing that makes them so greatly popular.

Here are some things to know about black crappie. The adult black crappie is usually around 6-12 inches in length and will weight from 2 to 3 pounds. While it is possible for the black crappie to be bigger and weigh more, it is not typical. Large black cappies are often found in Maine where they have been known to get over 3 pounds and 15 inches long.

Black crappie look a bit like bass and they have a very narrow, deep body shape and dorsal fin spines. The color can range, even though they are called "black", they can be golden brown with irregular black patches or similar colors and shades.

The more you know about the black crappie the easier it will be to locate them and reel in a nice catch. Learn their feeding habits and where they can be found during each season. For instance, during spawning season they are close to the shallows.

Here they will search for structures to lay their eggs. In the colder months they will be found in the deeper waters. Everything will affect the way the crappie takes the bait, even the temperature of the water. They will move slower and be less active in the cooler waters.

Many find it easier to fish for crappie at night or to fish for black crappie in deeper waters during the day but in very active areas, they can still be found fairly easy in the daytime, although it might take a bit more patience.

They have great eyesight anytime but they can see even better in cold or clear water. Therefore, you may need to use a smaller line or make sure the hook is not exposed when fishing in clear or cold water. Otherwise, they may get spooked and swim away.

They can be found at the same depth throughout the water so once you find where they are located try to continue fishing at that depth. The crappies do move around a lot so once you stop getting bites it would be best if you go ahead and move to a new area.