Ice Fish Ohio Forum
Ice Fishing => General Discussion => Topic started by: fishintechnician on January 28, 2014, 10:20:18 PM
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Does anyone have any tips for locating crappie this time of year? I've been fishing a lake for about a week and. Half and can't seem to locate the crappie. I'm hammering nice gills but no slabs. I know this lake had an abundant population of bi crappie but I just can't seem to find them. I'm going to scout a little more tomorrow. This lake is relatively shallow averaging 12 ft w a few spots over 20. No weeds and not whole lot of structure that I know of this time of year since it is a draw down lake. Any tips would be greatly appreciated.
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I'm no expect by any means, but if you have a flasher, I see a lot of guys on shows drill a bunch of holes and check each of them as they go till they find fish and then jig it and see what they are.
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Crappie have to relate to something. Won't be just a flat or open water it seems like. Drop offs, structure, or a little current is all it takes. Seems like they will either be very shallow or very deep. What lake may help?
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If you know of any isolated vertical structure you should find them. Marinas with floating docks are also good on impoundments. Look for large areas with consistent depth and any risen structure should be holding them.
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The other guys gave you some great advice. Only thing I can add is stay off the bottom. Unless they're locked into some structure they'll be suspended.
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I like fishing after dark and taking one of those floating Styrofoam lights. Auger a hole and set it up, then fish around it. Sometimes doing it that way you can catch them a couple feet under the ice.
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Thanks guys this should give me some spots to try. It is Delaware lake I know they are there. I have been fishing the mouth to one bay getting the gills fished until about 730-8 the other night. About 6 the screen lite up like a Christmas tree suspended fish from 2 ft to 6 ft in 8-9fow could buy a bite and I tried everything. Gonna start searching
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Good luck and let us know how ya do.
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You lookin' for these?
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That's not right john! Haha I'm not greedy just want. Few lol.
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So do I.
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Try searching the basin for suspended fish , drill a lot of holes and go back through with your Flasher . The suspended marks should be crappie . They will cruise around in the basin this time of year . Fish a hole with marks until it goes cold then check other holes for marks . You will be moving around a lot ,but it will be worth it . Good luck . PS I drill my holes in a wagon wheel paternal about 25 paces apart .
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We fished a bunch of different areas today. Not much luck so we went back to the spot where we have been getting the gills. Towards dark the crappie started to move in. Got 5 keepers and almost 30 gills in about 3 hrs. Was pretty nice! One crappie my wife got was pushing 14" and was thick and wide! Wanted to stay after dark but didn't have a lantern. Goin back tomorrow. Ice was 8" to 10" every where we went.
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One more pic
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Looks like you found em!! I'll spare the lecture then. ;D
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It was kind of spotty for the crappie but the bluegill were steady. I think the crappie were moving in as it got closer to dark. Gonna hit t early it early in the morn. It was the mouth of a bay. Bluegill were within a ft to 2 ft if the bottom the crappie were suspended any where from 2 to 5 ft down in 9 fow. I'm gonna try a little deeper tomorrow and see if they are holding deeper and movin in at low light. All fish on tungsten jigs w waxies and mousies didn't want spikes or plastics.
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This is the pic of the keepers minus one more crappie and fill that my wife caught while I was packing up. To give you some perspective on the big crappie the smaller ones are between 9 and 10" and he gills are all 7-9" the big crappie was just shy of 14" and had to have been 2" thick he was wide too almost didn't fit through a 6" hole lol my wife was all smiles when she got that one!!!
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Good job, glad your starting to find them.
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Nice work man! I'm a little jealous as I'm home sing to get out! Dang work getting in the way!
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Got these today. Same spot same setup. Bite was best at midday
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Very nice! Patience is rewarded!! ;D
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Darn crappie are just fickle. Seems when they want to bite they do, and you can't force them because they'll stare at anything forever and not hit it. Good news is you probably have found a spot where it will get better as we approach spring possibly moving a bit further into the bay. Good job on not quitting n a spot where there are obviously some nice fish.
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Wtg Ft!!!
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TRY THE SMALL FORAGE MINNOW WITH 2WAX WORMS DANGLE THEM PULL UP TO FISH AND HANG EM
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Went to a golf course pond today was pretty slow but did manage some nice fish. Stopped and checked Delaware on the way home and ice is still in good shape. Gonna hit it a few times this week. Here are a couple of picks.
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Gills
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you can find them somewhere between the surface and the bottom. ;D