| Crappies are part of the sunfish family and one of the | | | | The artificial lures that work the best or jigs but |
| most sought after species of fish around. There are | | | | spinnerbaits, streamers and small poppers can get you |
| two types of crappie called the white and black | | | | some great results as well. When using lures it is |
| crappie. One reason they are popular is because they | | | | important to know a little about colors and how the |
| are so good to eat. | | | | crappies respond to them. |
| Another reason is because they are one of the | | | | The crappie can also be a little unpredictable at times. |
| easiest species to catch when you are first starting | | | | They may not touch a particular color that they were |
| out learning how to fish. To become a successful | | | | all over earlier. This is why it is so important that you |
| crappie fisherman you need to learn as much as you | | | | have a variety of lures and jigs with you each time |
| can about them as a species. This will include their | | | | you go out. It allows you to switch off and try |
| feeding habits, natural habitat and how the different | | | | something new when one thing is not working. |
| seasons affect the crappie. | | | | Understanding how the colors work as they go |
| The mouth of the crappie is small and very fragile but | | | | deeper into the water will help you determine which |
| they can still quickly suck up a minnow close by. It is | | | | ones you should use depending on where and when |
| very important that you learn how to set the hook | | | | you are fishing. |
| without tearing the mouth of the crappie since they are | | | | Water takes on a green color as it begins to get deep |
| so fragile. Not only will tearing their mouth cause you to | | | | but the further down you go it starts to turn a more |
| lose the catch but it can also create unnecessary | | | | bluish color. It is for this reason that you should follow a |
| damage to the fish. | | | | certain pattern as you start going down into the depths |
| One thing that many new anglers don't realize is that | | | | of the water. |
| crappies can see different colors very well. The colors | | | | Start with red lures in shallow water followed by |
| are distorted by the different depths of the water and | | | | orange, yellow, green and blue or black as you get into |
| the amount of light shining through the water. | | | | the deepest water. White is normally a good neutral |
| Therefore, it does take some experimenting to | | | | color that can be seen at most any depth. |
| determine which color works the best in different | | | | Since you can't always tell the level of light present in |
| conditions. | | | | the water one basic rule to follow is in bright light and |
| All about Baits, Lures and Colors | | | | clear water use the red, orange, green, blue and white |
| When crappies are young they feed on insects but as | | | | colors. |
| they grow they add baitfish to their diet. Their favorite | | | | In dark waters and when it is night or cloudy the pink, |
| food is minnows but they will eat crustaceans, crickets, | | | | chartreuse, yellow, light blue and even black are the |
| maggots, grasshoppers, worms and even smaller | | | | best choices. |
| baitfish. | | | | |