Spring Crappie Under Lights

[cpsniper05]

Looking to try something new this year but dont have any experience with this style of fishing. Does anyone do this in the springtime and do you think its as productive or better? Just looking for general advice. Thanks.

[rooster]

It might work pre spawn but once they move shallow to spawn it will push them out of the shallows. That is a better summer time pattern to fish. Find some deep structure to anchor over then set out your light and wait til the bait moves in then fish below the bait on tight lines and minnows. Dave

[crappiepappy]

It might work. But, it would likely depend on what part of "Spring" you're talking about ... pre-spawn, spawn, post spawn ... since the fish would be in different settings during each of those three times. They'd be scattering & on the move in pre-spawn .... scattered along bedding banks during the spawn ... and starting to recoup & re-group during the post spawn period.

You might have to do a lot more "moving around" at night, during this time, simply because the fish are not as tightly schooled as they are later in the year. And ... all three periods can be happening at the same time, since all the Crappie don't try to spawn or move in to spawn at the same time, or even under the same water temp ranges.


... pappy

[sweetwater]

Would there be enough plankton in the cold early spring water to get the food chain cycle started that attracts the crappie to the lights as the end result?