Three Tips for Black Crappie Fishing

Black crappies are a popular species of fish that many anglers seek out whether they are experienced or considered to be a newbie. Black crappies are fairly easy to catch but they still provide a lot of fun and entertainment, which is why so many anglers fish for this species.

The black crappie (Promoxis nigro-maculatus) is a member of the sunfish family and can be distinguished by its dark color, spotted sides and seven or eight dorsal spines.

They are more plentiful in the northern states but can be found in the southern states as well. Catching crappies is not too difficult although there are a few tips that can help add to the amount of success you enjoy. The following three tips for catching black crappies will come in very useful.

First Tip: Know the Species

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.

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.

Keep in mind the black crappie has a very thin mouth, hence the nickname papermouth. Due to this fact, you may need some practice learning how to set the hook without pulling it all the way through the mouth. If this happens not only will you lose the catch but it causes excessive damage to the fish that could have been avoided.

Try using a slight snap of the wrist to set the hook and this should provide enough force to hook the fish but not tear all the way through.

Second Tip: Baits

When fishing for black crappies the bait that you use is important. The young crappies will feed on insects but as they mature they begin feeding on baitfish. Their favorite food is the minnow but they also feed on worms, grasshoppers, crickets and crustaceans. You will also find the mature crappie is quite fond of shad.

When you're using artificial lures some of the best options are spinner baits, jigs and streamers. The crappie will respond better to some colors than others.