The moment ice loses its grip on Michigan lakes, crappie fishing starts to heat up. Water temperature plays a huge role in the success or failure of crappie fishing during March and April. Warm water triggers an explosion of plankton which in turn attracts the most minnows, aquatic insects and crustaceans. Crappie are quick to respond to this mixed menu.
The first areas to experience this warm up are spots along the north shore. At this time of year, the sun angle beats down on the north shore, heating the water more quickly than other areas.
Dark bottom areas soak up the warming rays of the sun, further concentrating crappie in predictable areas. Back bays, coves, boat channels and other protected areas that feature a soft dark bottom quickly fill up with crappie that are voracious after spending the preceding three months locked beneath a blanket of ice.
It only takes a couple feet of water to hold a surprising number of hungry crappies. If these soft bottom areas have the remnants of weed growth left from last season or a little sunken brush, chances are crappie will literally pile into these areas.
Three simple angling methods consistently produce crappie when they head for shallow and warm waters during the first warm days of spring. All are easy to master.
SLIP BOBBERS
Finding water that's slightly warmer than the rest of the lake is the key to locating ice out crappie. Warm however is a relative term. The water in back bays and dark bottom coves is only going to be two or three degrees warmer than the main lake. In short, the water is still cold and crappie are going to be very lethargic especially early in the day. As the sun beats down on the water, crappies get more active as the day progresses. Often the best fishing is between 2-4 P.M.
Fishing slip bobbers makes sense for a number of reasons. Presenting a shiner minnow right on the nose of waiting crappie is a temptation few fish can resist. Also, slip bobbers are the most efficient way to fish among weeds or submerged brush, dock poles or other cover.
My favorite bobber rig for crappies incorporates a clean long shank (1/32 ounce) jighead at the terminal end, tipped with a live shiner minnow. I prefer knot style bobber stops (Arnold Tackle Stop Knot) www.anglersmart.com because they flow through the rod guides smoothly. Foam or wooden floats work well, but pick one that isn't weighted and sized appropriately for the job. Weighted floats cast well, but if a fish picks up the bait from below, the float will not indicate the strike. Unweighted floats tip when the jig is picked up, making it easy to detect a subtle strike.
JIG SPINNERS
Jig spinners are like tiny spinner baits designed especially for fishing crappie in cover. The best sizes are 1/32 and 1/16 ounce models. My favorite way to fish jig spinners is to cast to visible cover and let the jig spinner flutter straight down in the water column a couple feet before beginning the retrieve. A slow and steady retrieve, just fast enough to get the blade flashing is ideal. Working these baits too fast is a common mistake. Take your time and turn the reel handle ever so slowly for the best results.
A small twister tail fitted to the jig is usually all it takes to turn a jig spinner into a crappie killer. Sometimes, I'll tip the jig with a small minnow if action is especially slow.
TINY HAIR OR FEATHER JIGS
Crappie love small jigs, especially those dressed in bucktail or maribou. Casting 1/32 to 1/16 ounce jigs is a great way to target early spring crappie. The trick is to go slow. Cast the jig and let it fall on a slack line until it hits the bottom. If you're into a good mess of fish, chances are the jig will get sucked in long before it hits the bottom. Use fluorescent fishing line and watch the line closely to detect these subtle, but frequent strikes.
Retrieve the bait using a slow swimming or intermediate hopping motion. Concentrate on keeping the jig working among the fish for as long as possible.
A WORD ON LINES & RODS
All three of these crappie fishing methods require light line and light action fishing rods. I usually spool up with four pound test monofilament and use a six or seven foot light action spinning rod. A little extra rod length and light line helps to cast tiny lures greater distances.
SUMMING IT UP
Ice out crappie are one of the most predictable fishing patterns you'll find. Find the warmer water, dark bottom areas that are protected from the wind are usually best. The north shore is going to warm first. Mix in a little weed or wood cover and you're almost guaranteed to find crappies at home.
Fish slow and use live bait as needed to generate bites. Most of all, take some kids along and share the fun with our next generation.
