Casting to the shallower 15- to 20-foot depths is what Tim Huffman recommends if you want to catch winter crappies without pulling them up through the ice.

Crappies in the 15- to 20-foot range are not too spooky, so a fisherman can get close without spooking them. Presentations are not difficult at this depth. It takes less weight and effort to get a minnow or jig down to 20 feet, while maintaining boat control, than when putting baits down to 40 feet or deeper. Whether using vertical presentations or casting, getting baits to the fish at 20 feet isn’t a problem.

Searching

Tournament experts say, “Nothing improves a fisherman’s success more than buying good electronics and learning to use them.” However, a fisherman doesn’t have to have a $3000 unit to find and catch fish for recreation.

A good graph with sonar and GPS/mapping is very affordable and is considered a must-have for serious fishermen. High-definition Side Imaging and/or Down Imaging is a bonus, but not a necessity. A good sonar will show depths, cover, contours and fish. The mapping feature is for safe navigation, using contour maps while fishing and marking good locations. Those same spots will be good on return trips, too. If the graph has Side Imaging, it reduces the time necessary to examine an area to find structure and cover.

Looking is simple, but finding can be difficult. Graph mapping allows a fisherman to idle along ledges in the 15- to 20-foot range while looking for stumps, logs and brush piles. Deep stumps are often present whether a lake is new or old. If not, look for other wood cover that has floated in or has been placed by fishermen. Toss a marker buoy or make a waypoint on the graph.

Catching

Spider rigging will catch fish during this time of year. Multiple poles improve the odds of success. Six or more baits in the water usually beats one. However, when bundled-up in heavy clothes, a simpler method like casting might be preferred.

Casting is fun. It returns a fisherman to the basics and works great for catching cold-water crappie in the 15- to 20-foot zone.

A stump or set of stumps is best fished from an anchored boat. Fishermen can use good anchoring tactics, or a trolling motor with Spot Lock. The key is to remain stable so casts can be pinpointed. After a couple of crappies are caught, returning a cast to the same place can be the difference between catching or just fishing. Active crappies are known to hold in a spot the size of a bucket, and baits must be presented to the exact spot to catch them.

Baits for December casting should include plastics with a little action. A Kalin’s Triple Threat, Bobby Garland Swim’R and Charlie Brewer Slider Grub are examples of typical casting plastics. A 1/16-ounce head gives a slow fall but will still get to the strike zone. Wind or bouncing bottom might call for a heavier 1/8-ounce head. In general, the lighter the better, so you can keep a slow fall. Testing different weights and bodies is always a good idea until fish show which ones they prefer.

Factors for casting stumps

Strong cold front: Deeper fish are less susceptible to barometric pressure changes. The best tip for sluggish crappies is to downsize and slow your presentation. This might be the best time to tip with a tiny minnow.

Clouds/rain: Rain and overcast days should not make catching crappies a big problem. Light penetration will be less, so darker baits will work best.

Sun: Look for light penetration to put fish tighter to cover, while some might move up and suspend over the cover, depending upon their mood. A wildcard is to check very shallow water in the afternoon where sunlight is bright and warming the water.

Wind: A light wind and ripple is good for making fish less spooky. Too much wind makes boat control a problem and is super-cold on the fisherman. Casting is difficult in the wind so vertical presentations are best.

Current: The stronger the current, the more important it is to find locations with less current.

Fishing pressure: Fishing pressure isn’t terrible like it is in spring, but more and more fishermen have learned about the good fall and early winter fishing, so you may not have the lake to yourself.

Casting isn’t a forgotten method. It’s fun and productive. Fishermen interested in the new LiveScope electronics should know that casting and pitching have both produced in national tournament circuits, so look for a big resurgence in casting presentations.

For more valuable fishing lessons, turn to the winter issues of MidWest Outdoors by subscribing on our website.