One of the most common questions that we get asked in relation to crappie fishing is about timing the peak of the best bites of the year. As fishing pros, running a guide service and outfitting operation, we’re on the water all the time and have some favorite times of year to target different kinds of fish. Like anything else, the hottest bites for crappies can vary a bit from year to year depending on the weather, but once they really get rolling, the fishing can be literally incredible at top waters, like the ones where we spend most of our time.

Peak timing
For most of our favorite lakes, and many others across the lower Midwest and central United States, crappie fishing peaks typically run from around late March through mid-May. April is a glorious month for specs, probably the best month overall, but sometimes when waters warm fast, the last half of March is better. In cooler springs, the first half of May has been truly incredible. Still, anytime during these three months is a great time to wet a line for this species.

There are other times of year to get in on a good bite. Fall can produce great spec fishing in some places. Where ice isn’t much of an issue, winter crappie fishing continues through the season. And, while the hot waters of summertime usually means slow crappie fishing in many places, two of our favorite home lakes produce crappie fishing that usually rates as good to excellent. But, spring is it. No matter how great the crappie fishing can be, at any body of water, in any region, it’s still not likely to be any better than it is there in the spring, and usually, spring is going to be considerably better, as big crappies flood the shallows to feed and spawn.

Weather and tactics
Weather does affect crappies, like all fish species. In fact, while things like moon phases, fishing and boating pressure, sun conditions, water levels, and other factors affect the quality of fishing, good or bad, weather conditions affect fish more than anything else. In spring, we like to see gradual warming trends and long periods of stable weather. Cold fronts slow fish activity more than anything else, and different tactics are required as conditions change. This is where the advantage of having a large team of guides comes in so handy. We’re able to work together to narrow down changing fishing patterns much faster and get back on hot bites.

The general rules of thumb to start off with are to fish faster, with larger artificial lures in shallower waters when conditions are good in spring. Then progress to deeper water, while fishing slower, and employing smaller lures or even live baits if need be in poor weather.

It can be effective to drop down a little bit in line weight when crappies get finicky. Lighter lines are thinner in diameter and harder for fish to see, but they really do add some extra action to those small lures employed in these situations. While things can slow down at times, with bad weather, the vast majority of days during the spring period produce excellent crappie fishing action, and always a great shot at a true trophy caliber specimen.

Cast away
Spring is a welcome relief after a long, cold winter. The fishing is better than at any other time of year for many species, including crappies, and this is the time of year for catching both numbers of these beautiful fish, and the giant slabs worthy of the wall, too.

For more information contact Colby Simms Outdoors at colbysimmsoutdoors@hotmail.com.
or visit the website at colbysimmsoutdoors.com or on Facebook at /ColbySimmsSportFishingPro.