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