NEBRASKAland Magazine is dedicated to outstanding photography and informative writing with an engaging mix of articles and photos highlighting Nebraska’s outdoor activities, parklands, wildlife, history and people.
Issue link: http://mag.outdoornebraska.gov/i/654753
e Crappies of Spring F or most of the year, crappies are roving creatures difficult to track down. There one day, gone the next, as the saying goes. But for a period each spring, as the water warms up, their behavior becomes more predictable. They make their annual move into the shallows and anglers follow. Spring Feast A common misconception among anglers is that these highly sought-after fishes are spawning as they enter the shallows shortly after ice-out, but reproduction comes later. As the water warms, so does activity among small insects, crustaceans and other aquatic life. It's this smorgasbord of nutrition that attracts the hungry crappies. They're there to eat – which makes them much more vulnerable to being eaten. As water temps reach the low 60s, crappies begin to spawn. While their nests are often found on sandy or gravelly bottomed areas with cover, the nests aren't as apparent as sunfish which sweep the bottoms clean. Males, which can become nearly all black during this time of year, stick around to guard eggs and newly hatched fry. These males are aggressive and much easier to catch than females. The Catch Because crappies are "on the hunt and fight" in the spring they're usually quick to bite, providing a great target for all ages of anglers fishing from boat or shore. While one can find success by investing heavily in "artificial" methods, one ageless approach may still be the best – a small minnow dangling beneath a bobber. For as long as humans have been putting minnows on a hook, crappies have been biting on them. Because the crappies will most likely be swimming near structure, such as submerged trees and other vegetation which hold prey and provide protection, it's beneficial to use a heavier line – strong enough to straighten a stubborn snagged hook by pulling. Crappies aren't known to be great fighters, so a hefty hook isn't necessary. Worms and other live bait can also prove productive, as can artificial baits such as Berkley Gulp Alive. Anglers who don't mind casting among the obstacles will get strikes on marabou jigs, curly tails, spinnerbaits and basically any other lure that mimics a minnow, crayfish or small insect. In late spring and into summer, as crappies move to deeper water, one can use a slip-bobber to reach the depths and increase the size of bait to match growing forage. Because crappies often suspend themselves at various depths, an electronic fish-finder comes in handy. Anglers without the aid of electronics often find success by lowering bait by trial-and-error or casting artificials with the countdown method – letting the lure sink at various counts until they get a strike. Where to Go Crappie can be found in Nebraska waters from east to west, north to south. Small- to medium-sized reservoirs tend to provide some of the best crappie fishing. Despite the varying habitats in the state's crappie waters, they're not hard to find in spring if one knows their behavior. "Crappies are crappies wherever they swim," said By Justin Haag 32 NEBRASKAland • APRIL 2016 When spring arrives, both crappies and anglers can be found moving into the shallow. Crappie can be found throughout the state, including the farm pond in Sarpy County where this crappie was caught.