Fish-On! Chapter 7 Yelloe Perch, White Bass & Black Crappie Brought to you courtesy of... TV Ontario© 1985, TV Ontario and The Ontario Educational Communications Authority, all rights reserved White bass, yellow perch, and black crappie have more in common than just color-coded names. All three are carnivorous, biting readily on almost any bait presented to them. This makes them very popular with novice anglers, especially impatient youngsters, as well as experts. In addition, they are excellent table fish. The black crappie, a member of the sunfish family is a particularly popular pan fish. These species have a tremendous reproductive capacity. Because their numbers present difficulties for fish management, liberalized fishing of these species is sometimes introduced in areas where cropping is necessary.
It doesn't take exceptional know-how or sophisticated equipment to land one (usually several) of these fish. Many a youngster's first catch was probably a white bass, yellow perch, or black crappie. After graduating to "superior" angling, returning to wet a line for one of these fish is like returning to childhood. No pressures, just ultimate relaxation. And with it, the rediscovery of the good "gaming" abilities of these fish and a new sense of angling satisfaction. YELLOW PERCH (Perca flavescens)THE FISHShape, Size, and Color It's probable that anyone with a fishing rod has caught a perch or two and knows the species. Its body is elongated and somewhat compressed. Coloration may vary with habitat and feeding habits, but usually the sides are blackish or dark green on the back fading to olive green or golden brown on the sides. The belly is whitish or yellowish. Six to nine dark wide bars run vertically along its sides. During spring spawning runs, colors are more pronounced, especially in males. The head is rounded at the tip or nose. Even though it is related to walleye, the yellow perch has no canine teeth. The dorsal fin is dark and separated into a soft-rayed rear section and a spiny-rayed front section (all perkods have two distinct dorsal fins). Because of its stenoid scales, the perch is rough to the touch.
The average size of yellow perch ranges from four to ten inches, but a healthy adult may reach up to 15 inches. The average fish weighs somewhere around a pound. The record, set way back in 1865, is yet to be beaten by today's angler -- a four-pound, three-and-a-half-ounce lunker!
HABITATYellow perch, generally a warm-water fish, are usually found in open water with moderate vegetation and muddy to sand and gravel bottoms. They are seldom found in strong currents, preferring lakes, ponds, and sluggish streams. They favor temperatures of about 70° F. (21° C) and if temperatures rise, they seek deeper, cooler water. More tolerant of oxygen deficiency than species like smallmouth or largemouth bass, they survive well under the ice in winter, in very turbid waters, and in other low-oxygen environments. DistributionYellow perch are one of the most widely spread species of fish in the Northern Hemisphere. They have been widely introduced, intentionally and by accident, to the United States, the Great Lakes drainage systems, and throughout Ontario. Their range increased quickly with the opening of new water routes and by fishermen using them for live bait.
In Canada, yellow perch are common for the most part from east to west with the exception of Labrador, Newfoundland, eastern Quebec, and British Columbia. As every year passes, there is the potential of this species making an appearance in these areas sooner or later.
In the United States, they range from the central states to the eastern seaboard. You can even fish them in Europe and Asia. There may be mixed feelings about this population across the ocean, but most experts agree they are from the same family as the North American species. The doubt was raised because of an added spine on the second dorsal fin.
ManagementIn many lakes, perch occur in such great numbers that they constitute a management problem. Perch-bound lakes are filled with stunted perch and only a few lakes are able to support a population that can reach a healthy size.
Because of their high reproductive potential, if the fry are not eaten by predacious fish like pike or walleye, the species may virtually take over a lake. Although commercial fishing helps keep their numbers down, they still require additional cropping by angling. Many areas are actively encouraging anglers to fish this species all year round. One way this is done in some areas is by putting few restrictions on perch caught by angling. Once anglers have tasted a broiled or pan-fried yellow perch, though, they need little further encouragement to continue the sport.
You can help significantly by avoiding the use of perch as live bait. Even though in many areas it is illegal to transport fish from one body of water to another, anglers still do so, even though this practice causes problems for natural species, as has happened in some Ontario waters where the trout populations have suffered dramatically.
SEASONAL CHANGES
Temperature and the availability of food dictate the travel patterns of yellow perch. Wherever possible, they will inhabit the temperature zone in shallow water, seldom going below 30 feet. Winter temperatures may have them seeking deeper waters. Both adults and the young prefer water temperatures from about 65° F. to 70° F. (18° C to 21° C). Yellow perch generally travel in schools of individuals of about the same size and age, searching for food. In the early evening, they'll feed in open water. During the day, they forage near bottom where rooted aquatic plants are found. At night they are inactive and usually rest on the bottom among vegetation. SpawningYellow perch are spring spawners, taking advantage of warm weather from mid-April to May. They prefer water temperatures around 44° F. to 60° F. (7° C to 15° C) for spawning. If weather and water temperatures do not cooperate, spawning may carry on into July.
Spawning takes place in open but shallow, sheltered areas, usually at night but occasionally in the early morning. It lasts from two to four weeks. Males move into spawning areas first and wait for the females to join them.
One might say the yellow perch hang their young out to hatch. The zigzag, gelatinous strings of eggs, several inches wide and several feet long, are fertilized by the males as they appear. The eggs are deposited near rooted vegetation, submerged brush, or fallen trees. If necessity warrants it, eggs will also be deposited over sand or gravel. MaturationEggs hatch in eight to ten days, depending on water temperature. No parental care is given to the young. They are transparent when hatched and remain inactive for several days while they absorb their yolk sac. The young grow quickly and when they are ready to move they school together loosely. They roam shallow shoreline waters feeding during daylight hours.
With increasing size, perch feed on insects and their larvae, crayfish, snails, and a great variety of other invertebrate. During daylight they feed in deeper waters, but around dusk they move towards shore to feed on bait such as minnows. Life expectancy is high, with some fish enjoying longevity to the ripe old age of 11 years plus, even though this species tends to harbor more parasites than most. These parasites are generally not harmful to humans and are easily destroyed when fish are cooked well. EQUIPMENT AND TECHNIQUE
Yellow perch are a delight to children because they bite readily and can be found at wharfs, jetties, and docks. They're schoolers who hit in all seasons and on most lures and bait. In spring, look for perch in their spawning grounds (if regulations permit). They'll be in shallow bay areas with lots of cover and debris. In summer, fish near weedbeds (of moderate vegetation), moss bars, or shoals in 15 to 20 feet of water. Perch, just like walleye, usually occupy all kinds of habitat in summer -- shallow, mid-depth, and deeper. You can catch perch through the ice too, sometimes as deep as 30 to 40 feet of water, near weedbeds, rocky shoals, and other structures which hold forage such as aquatic snails, plankton, and small baitfish. There are many hot spots for yellow perch and you can discover them by asking around. Yellow perch rival walleye as table fish. If the perch is large enough, the flesh is white and firm and delicious. TackleAs with most smaller species or subspecies of fish, tackle is rarely a problem. Any rod or reel will do but ultralight offers more challenge and excitement. Reels with two- or four pound-test line can create quite a challenge when playing these fish. Still-fishing with a bobber, casting, and ice fishing with a spreader can all prove successful. Still-fishing with lightweight line, eight to ten pound-test and with a number four or six hook, using bait like minnows or worms or artificial flies, small spinners, and spinner and fly combinations is very popular with anglers. But as far as perch is concerned, even the old store string can be used, but lighter diameter line will result in more fish.
Ultralight equipment, for those of you who want a challenge, comes in a variety of prices. A light spinning or spincast rod could be only five to five and a half feet in length. Bait FishingWhen waters are ice-free, worms and minnows are the most widely used baits. Since these fish are on the small side, African night crawlers are not needed. Small garden worms or small pieces of night crawlers will attract their attention.
Start fishing on bottom and work up until fish are found. Because perch strikes freely, a taut line is necessary. Minnows can be worked in the same manner. Give them a little freedom with added leader between weight and bait. They can be baited by hooking them on the back just behind and slightly below the dorsal fin, or through both lips, leaving the minnow free to swim about and to stay alive longer.
It's not uncommon to see bobbers used with live bait. This takes the worry out of being close or the possibility of snags that may be under the surface. Lead line can be set to keep bait just above any obstacles that may cause problems. Using a small bobber allows fish to pull it under or at least move it, letting the angler know the bait has been taken. Always adjust your bobber to the size and weight of your bait.
Jigs are also successful at all times of the year. Allow them to sink to bottom and gently raise and lower the rod tip. Sometimes a variety of retrieves are effective -- straight, undulating, hopping, etc. In some cases, perch have shown a liking to certain colors of jigs. Yellow or white are top choices, but off-colors are effective in certain conditions.
Feathered, rubber, and in between, jigs work well as long as they are small. One-sixteenth to one-quarter weights (for big perch in current areas or under windy conditions) will do the trick. In general, use lighter jigs for shallow water and heavier ones for deeper water. Some jigs on the market are laced with silver or gold tinsel which may help to attract the fish by imitating the flash of an injured baitfish. These tinsel jigs are especially effective in dirty water. Ice FishingPerch keep anglers busy over winter months. When the ice is safe enough, a lake or river soon fills up with eager anglers. When angling through the ice, start near shore in six to eight feet of water with the bait 16 to 24 inches off bottom. Perch are caught through the ice at depths of up to 40 feet. The key is the predator/prey relationship. Rocky shoals, weedbeds, or brush piles often hold forage such as snails, minnows, plankton, or larval insects. These areas can be located with the help of a portable depth sounder. As long as the transducer is wet, these units will work through the ice.
Jigs or live bait are popular. Salted minnows are often used when fish are hitting well, but when the action slows live bait is more effective. "Chum" the area first with salted minnows. Small silver or gold jigging spoons, like the Swedish Pimple, can also be used by jigging them on bottom, especially if a school of big perch has been found. The jigging action gives the appearance of darting minnows in search of food. Vertical jigging with fairly light line and smaller lures (since the fish are eating smaller baitfish) creates a very attractive darting movement, especially when using a small jigging rod. This can be as simple as a stick with a line wrapped around it, much like the tip-up style presentation, and a vertical jigging spoon or jig.
 A new method is now finding its way to many sports shops: using pearls as bait. If your local shop doesn't carry pearls, you can make your own. Use a cheap, imitation white pearl. Tie it on the base of a small (such as a number six) single or treble hook with thread. Use a clear nail polish or lacquer to waterproof the thread. Some anglers run pins through the pearl and solder them to the hooks, but regardless of how you make one, they're easy to create. Use a small splitshot, drop it to bottom, and bounce it around. The big problem with winter fishing, of course, is finding the schools of fish. Unlike summer, fall, or spring fishing, it's not a matter of moving a boat around or heading to another dock in search of perch. Winter fishing may require anglers to drill or cut holes in ice for some time before a school is found. If you're out with a few friends, spread out to find a school and then, literally, gang up on them. Of course, one of the simplest ways is to ask your local ice hut operator.
Augers are by far the best instrument to use for cutting holes, but many anglers resort to the old axe, chisel, or spud and saw while on the ice. The old tools will do the job but require more labor.
The simplest winter perch rig is a two- or three-way spreader. Put two minnows -- either live or, in some lakes, salted -- on each hook. You can put some more hooks higher up the line, if your state or province allows it. It's usually more effective to put the live minnow on the top hook. The whole rig is made to sit on or near the bottom, which is not difficult since the system is heavy. Perch will usually be holding within the bottom three feet of water, so make sure they get a good look at your offering. The rest of the method is a matter of balancing the tip-up.
Perch are very light biters, so it can get a little tricky to set the hook in winter. But with this kind of method it doesn't take much movement or much of a bite to feel the hit on a weighted tip-up. (Figure 7-1.) White Bass (Morone chrysops)THE FISHShape, Size, and Color It's not too well known that there's a fish swimming our waters under the name of white bass. Some of you may know it under one of its tagged names: silver bass, white lake bass, and, for the bilingual, bar blanc. There are just three North American freshwater bass species: the striped bass, the white bass, and the white perch.
Shape, Size, and ColorThe white bass can reach a length of over 18 inches, but its average is 11 to 13. Average weight in Ontario waters varies from three-quarters of a pound to two pounds. The record appears to be five pounds, four ounces. The white bass has a deep, elliptical body which is marked with up to a dozen dusky, more or less uninterrupted, horizontal stripes on a silvery background. Colors run from black to silvery green on the back into silvery white on the sides. The belly varies from a golden tint to off-white. The mouth has a slightly protruding lower jaw. One way to distinguish this fish from some sunfish species is by the dorsal fins. Unlike the others, which have un-separated fins, the white bass has two quite prominent dorsal fins.
The white bass is often confused with its cousin, the white perch. Both fish have a little flap of skin, or membrane, in the first dorsal fin area, but in the white bass this membrane is attached to the back of the fish, whereas in the white perch, it's attached to the front edge of the second dorsal fin. The white perch has a distinctly purple under-jaw, but it's pure white in the white bass. The white perch is basically an anadromous fish of the eastern seaboard; the white bass is an inland fish. HABITATWhite bass, a warm-water species, is essentially a fish of larger lakes and rivers. It frequents clear, warm to cool water [60° F. (15° C) to 70° F. (21° C)] of moderate depth where there are rock reefs, sand bars, and submerged rock jetties. It also likes the running water found below dams, locks, and the mouths of tributaries. It has been discovered that white bass seem to like the warm water flows from hydroelectric plants in spring and winter. That's good news for urbanites who don't want to go far to do a little fishing. DistributionIn Canada this species swims in Lake Ontario, Lake Huron, and Lake Erie (the best of the Great Lakes for anglers of the white bass), but it does not seem to have adapted to Lake Superior. It can also be found in the Detroit River, Lake St. Clair, and Lake Nipissing. The St. Lawrence River on both sides of the border produces white bass, which may be the reason a few lakes in Quebec also have small populations in their waters. Lake Winnipeg is also home to white bass which are suspected of having migrated from North Dakota via the Red River. With the exception of lakes Winnipeg and Nipissing, the northern range has little or no white bass.
This species is more common to the U.S. It ranges from New York State to Minnesota and west to South Dakota. In the south, healthy populations take the swim through the Ohio-Mississippi Valley and the Gulf of Mexico
ManagementThe opening of canal routes over the years for shipping on the Great Lakes has given access to many species, including the white bass, to areas never before inhabited. Transplanting, as well, has opened new waters for white bass, extending their range. In the United States, biologists are even working on a new strain by crossbreeding white bass with striped bass.
As mentioned, this species is a prolific spawner, and carnivorous to boot. The extension of its range may be a hazard to other species native to the waters. White bass can stand heavy fishing pressure. In many fisheries, a healthy angler harvest is actually helping management efforts.
SEASONAL CHANGES
SpawningWhite bass spawn in spring when the water temperature rises to at least 55° F. to 60° F. (13° C to 15° C). Males, smaller than the females, migrate to the spawning grounds first and wait for the females. When environmental conditions are good, the females school together and move onto shoals or into estuaries where spawning will take place. Males and females swim near the surface, releasing eggs and sperm simultaneously. Eggs are fertilized as they sink and adhere to rocks or vegetation at bottom.
This activity usually occurs during the day, near shore, in water three to six feet deep, with gravel, sand, rubble, or rock bottom. A few fish take advantage of night, however, for their spawning ritual. The female deposits an average of 550000 eggs, although it's possible that some deposit close to a million eggs. Spawning may last from five to ten days. The spent adults return to deeper water, giving no parental care to their spawn.
If water temperature remains around 60° F.(15° C), eggs will incubate in 46 hours. Once hatched, the young feed on plankton, aquatic insects, and crayfish. They grow rapidly. By the fall of their first year, they may reach five to six inches in length. Feeding HabitsOnce off spawning grounds, schools form. Adult fish move into clear water where they inhabit upper water layers (the upper 20 feet of water). Their preference for clear water could be due to their feeding habits. Unlike many finned species they are visual feeders, not depending on scent for food. When feeding they will boil to the surface to chase minnows or the fry of yellow perch, black crappie, and carp, creating a feeding frenzy. They are also known to travel up to six miles in a day, depending greatly on movement of baitfish which comprise a main portion of their diet. Here today, gone tomorrow holds true for these fish. EQUIPMENT AND TECHNIQUE
The fighting abilities and eating qualities of the white bass are often underrated. Those who now fish this species would like them to remain anonymous. Since they bite readily on minnows and all sorts of artificial plugs, spinners, and flies, anglers can soon catch their limit, especially in the early morning. You can use a variety of outfits for angling: spinning rods, fly rods, or light baitcasting outfits. The lighter the outfit, the more enjoyable the sport. Reading the WaterThe first key to success is to read the water for signs of schools. From May to September, white bass roam their range feeding on the surface. Look for the characteristic commotion of their feeding or watch the seagulls who pick up surface minnows missed by white bass. On the surface they're easy to find, but once they head for the deep, it's another story. With their nomadic tendencies, they can be out of the area in a hurry, but as long as food remains, there's good fishing. Surface FishingWith hundreds of fish rolling the surface only a few feet away, it's hard to remain calm and put casts where they will do the most good— right in the middle of the school. While feeding on the surface, they'll take nearly any kind of bait, so cast gently and keep the bait as close as possible to the surface. Slow retrieves give white bass every opportunity to take baits. If lure fishing, keep lures just under the surface where bass are feeding. Using lighter pound-test line (two to six pounds) gives more distance when casting, a good feature when schools are moving just beyond regular casting range.
White bass can be taken on all forms of tackle. For more adventuresome anglers, ultralight rods and reels produce plenty of excitement, although conventional spinning and spincast gear are very popular. These fish are not large in size, but their slim, wide bodies can put up a good fight.
Every tackle box, regardless how small, has a lure or two worth trying on white bass. Lures resembling minnows give an added incentive for fish to hit. Rapalas and Rebels work well and they offer a variety of sizes and running depths, but since you're dealing with smaller fish, use small sizes. Floating models can be worked along the surface when necessary and countdown models in waters between top and bottom. Any lure resembling minnows or their swimming action will serve the purpose.
One of the oldest lures (but still as good as new) is the standard number one, two, or even 0 countdown tail spinner. Tail spinners work well on schooling white bass when they suspend deeper than the top few feet. Count them down to the depth of the suspended school and crank them through it. In a feeding frenzy white bass smash these lures by reflex. Standard straight-shaft spinners in sizes 0 through three can be worked more easily in the top few feet of water. When choosing colors for either type of spinner, use silver on bright days and gold under low light conditions.
Jigs are good when fish settle down and for this species they should weigh between one-sixteenth to one-quarter of an ounce. Bucktailed or rubber jigs can be used. Rubber-bodied jigs on store shelves offer a vast range of size, shape, and color (silver is one of the most dependable, though). Their action is superb. Jigheads and bodies can be purchased separately, giving anglers an inexpensive way of filling a tackle box with an assortment of good lures. A one-sixteenth-, one-eighth-, or one-quarter-ounce leadhead jig and a shad body are particularly successful with white bass.
Spoons are also good since they resemble swimming baitfish. A wide variety of silver-flashing or painted spoons will pick up white bass. They should be worked through the schools.
The most attractive offering for white bass, of course, is the minnow. Minnows can be worked close to the surface or right on bottom. By lengthening line between bobber and bait, there are few depths of water that can't be fished successfully. They can be drifted from boats, trolled on a worm harness, still-fished with a bobber, or fished directly on bottom with extra weight. In other words, minnows are an all-round bait. Bottom FishingUnless they're on the surface, schools can be a problem to locate. Start looking off rocky points or sand banks, especially where minnows or baitfish are known to inhabit. If on the lake, shoals or rock beds may have a few white bass resting. Large, slow-moving rivers or canals in the current below locks and dams are another good location.
In this situation, it's best to troll or drift-fish lures or minnows or other bait as close as possible to the bottom. Favorite areas for trolling are those off rocky reefs and small bars with a minnow spinner, six to ten inches off the bottom. Weighted jigs can be worked on bottom by pumping rod tips up and down and reeling in slack line on the downstroke. This bounces the jig on bottom, giving the appearance of a feeding minnow. The jig can be one-quarter of an ounce or heavier, depending on water depth and wave action.
Bottom fishermen will often use a three-way swivel which allows them to use bottom weight well below their bait. There are a variety of lead weights on the market designed to fish bottom. By using lighter line to sinkers, only the weight is lost if the bait gets snagged. Tie line from the rod to one eye, bait to the second, and sinker to the third. This makes a perfect bottom rig. Distance to the bottom can be determined by shortening or lengthening drop line.
If you're not familiar with three-way swivels, an ordinary snap swivel will suffice. Use a snelled hook, and on the same snap place another piece of lighter monofilament line with a sinker attached. For example, if fish are about a foot off bottom, use 12 to 18 inches of line between sinker and snap swivel. BLACK CRAPPIE (Pomoxis nigomaculatis) THE FISH There are both white and black crappie. White crappie, which belongs to the same genus as black crappie, is not as abundant even though it covers the same geographical range as its cousin. Almost identical in appearance, the white has five or six spines on its dorsal fin and a plain anal fin as opposed to the strongly articulated anal fin and the seven or eight spines of the black. Most anglers, however, will encounter the black crappie when fishing crappie waters. There is a variety of hybrid combinations of fish within the sunfish family (rock bass, crappie, black bass, and so on). The hybrids lack the pure characteristics of either parent.
Size, Shape, and ColorBlack crappies are members of the sunfish family and as such have a resemblance to other species in their family. They are deep bodied, elliptical in shape, somewhat elongated, very compressed laterally, and have a depressed forehead. The average length is seven to ten inches over most of their range. There are, however, larger fish. A good size crappie could exceed 12 inches, with some reaching a weight better than two pounds. One of the world's crappie records was a monster weighing five pounds, 20 inches in length, taken in South Carolina in 1957. However, the rate of growth and size is definitely related to the amount of food available, and most crappies average two pounds.
The black crappie, despite its name, is one of the most colorful fish found in our waters. The color is more or less silvery with numerous black or dark green splotches on a dark olive-green to green or golden-brown background. Belly colors can vary from yellow to white with tail and anal fin having worm-like markings. The juveniles have prominent vertical bars on their sides which disappear in adulthood.
The general coloration is somewhat darker than that of the white crappie. Although the dorsal fin doesn't appear to be separated, it is, having a separation between the spines of the first half and the soft rays of the second. But to casual observers, the fish seems to have only one dorsal fin. HABITATThe black crappie covers so wide a range that it has many local names -- calico bass and speckled bass being quite common. It prefers clear, weedy lakes and large streams. Essentially, it is a fish of quiet waters. It is not common in deep, rocky lakes, preferring larger streams and medium-sized bodies of water. DistributionBlack crappie are adaptable to almost any waters with the exception of salt water. They spread so fast that ichthyologists have a hard time keeping up with them. It makes it almost impossible to map out their range accurately.
In Canada, they inhabit waters from southern Manitoba through northwestern, central, and southern Ontario, including all the Great Lakes. From here they range into the St. Lawrence and into portions of Quebec. In the United States, its introduction into new waters has helped it spread across a vast range. Its prime area runs from its Canadian range through central United States to the eastern seaboard and south to Florida and Texas.
In the west, a small population is known to inhabit waters south of British Columbia, but in years to come who knows how far these prolific breeders will spread. ManagementIn 1975 the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources in Huronia District did a trap netting survey. They netted about 2000 black crappie. In 1983, with nets set in the same areas, the agency came up with more than 12000 crappies.
Fisheries management has found it unnecessary to stock black crappies from hatcheries for maintenance in many new fisheries. They survive and populate well. Many areas have found that few or no regulations on size and possession limits are needed to keep the stock healthy. SEASONAL CHANGES
SpawningBlack crappies are warm weather spawners. They spawn in late spring or summer when water temperatures are around 66° F. to 68° F. (19° C to 20° C). Spawning may last from late May to July.
They are nest builders, the nests often found close together in water three to six feet deep, or on relatively soft and muddy bottoms. Males construct the nest, clearing areas or making a shallow depression on bottom.
Females deposit about 38 000 eggs, which are fertilized by milt released by the male as they settle to the floor of the nest. ParentingUnlike many other species, the male remains at the nest guarding the fertilized eggs. After spawning, it oven chases the female away from the nest site, exhibiting strong territorial instincts. It remains there until the eggs have hatched and the young fry have dispersed.
Their parenting instincts are so strong that experimental tagged fish have been transported several miles away from nest sites, but have been recovered again at the same nest in a surprisingly short time afterwards.
The young feed mainly on an invertebrate diet and grow fast during their first year, but stunting can occur if lakes are overpopulated or if fish are confined to too-small bodies of water. MaturationAs black crappies mature, they increasingly feed on a wide variety of animal life: aquatic insects, small crustaceans, minnows, and other small fish. Their favorite feeding areas are in the deep part of weedbeds. They are probably more active during winter than any other member of the sunfish family, feeding extensively on small fish and aquatic insects throughout winter.
They mature early and can spawn in their first year. They travel in schools, preferring shallow bays or slow-moving rivers. The schools can be very large during feeding time. They remain in an area as long as food supplies last, then move on to more fertile pastures. When young, they fall prey to predators, but as they grow the shape of their bodies and their spined fins help keep them from predation. EQUIPMENT AND TECHNIQUE
The black crappie ranks high in popularity as game fish and pan fish. It is the major portion of the catch in some waters. Most are usually taken on live bait or small jigs, but when very big in size, they can bite on almost anything. In fact, they take all kinds of bait in all kinds of weather at all times of the day, all year round. This makes black crappies extremely popular with youngsters and novice anglers. However, this fish bites best in early spring, June, and late fall. No special tackle is needed since everyone has a lure or two in the tackle box that will entice a crappie.
Their eating qualities rank high, especially when pan fried. Because of their small size, several fish are needed to make a meal, but it isn't difficult to catch more after the first has been landed. Reading the Water Since these fish school, the ideal situation is to find them in quantity. Expert anglers look for the telltale signs of fish feeding in the calm, flat water of shallow bays -- the small rings these fish leave behind while picking up food on or near the top. Feeding may continue for as little as a few minutes to as long as two or three hours. Early morning or later in the evening is the best time to find the signs of crappie feeding as waters are usually calm at these times. Their usual pattern takes them into weeds early in the morning, out to deeper water midday, and back to the weedlines late in the day.
If you don't see the signs of feeding, look for weedbeds. Ideal conditions would be in six to 12 feet of water having heavy weed cover with small open pockets, allowing anglers to drop a lure into the holes. If there are no openings, fish the edge or along the top of weed cover. Crappies also use submerged wood and small shoals as habitat, but the crappie has a strange relationship to structure and cover (weedlines, humps, submerged logs, etc.). At times these fish suspend near it rather than associating more closely. In certain lakes, crappies migrate between deep water and weedbeds or brush piles. During this migration, crappies often suspend close to the wood or weeds before dispersing along or into them.  If working shorelines, try angling off points of land. Keep an eye on the water for food lines; i.e., lines caused by wind blowing edibles along its course. Beaver houses and deadfalls will also have a few fish hanging around in search of food. Work the edge of heavy cover. Once fish are found, stay close until action dies. Fish will feed from top to bottom which means at one moment they can be just under the surface, while a second later, hugging the bottom.
MethodsIf the fish are on the surface, let out just enough line to keep in touch with the fish. When hits cease, drop your lure right to bottom and work up until they are found again. Before moving, cast around to make sure the fish haven't gone a few feet in another direction. If there are no takers, let the boat drift or move further down the shore.
Being confined to shore fishing makes following the schools more difficult than angling from a boat. When boat fishing, if you don't see the telltale sign of crappie feeding -- "kissing the surface" -- start from shore and work out by reading the structures and casting in all directions. Once you hit a few fish, move in that general direction. If the school stays in one general area, cast anchor and enjoy some of the fastest fishing action you can find for any species of fish. But don't keep all of your catch if you're not planning to clean and eat them.
Black crappies bite best on minnows, but they will hit almost anything as long as it's small. Bobbers can be used or minnows can be allowed to swim freely. You don't have to use complicated tackle, as long as its light-action. It can be as simple as a long cane pole without a reel. Your line should be about a four pound-test for the smaller lures.
Jigs are effective, although they are not good "search" lures. In fact, once a school is found, try switching to jigs. It often takes too long to bait with minnows after a fish is taken. Jig colors don't seem to matter, but white and yellow are lucky for many anglers. Jigs laced with tinsel also produce. These jigs work very well fished under a float. Using a slip-bobber with jigs and the countdown method -- start at two, retrieve; start at three, retrieve; and so on until you get a hit -- is an ideal way to keep a lure in front of suspended fish.
For crappie, the most popular artificial would be the little one-sixteenth-, one-thirty-second-, and one-eighth-ounce lead-head jigs. Of course, which size to choose depends on the mood of the fish, what they're eating, and on water depth. The one-thirty-second- and the one-sixteenth-ounce jigs are fine up to about ten feet, then you tend to lose contact with the fish. Deeper water usually demands one-eighth of an ounce. Often, you can fish a two-inch twister tail on these jigs. White is a popular color, especially if it's flecked with black spots.
There are many ways to fish a jig. The standard way with a lead head is just by itself and casting and retrieving with different jigging motions (undulating, hopping, straight, etc.). Twister tails should be retrieved straight since they have their own action. Crappie usually don't like violent action, so experiment with your retrieve.
An excellent method for taking suspended crappies is by suspending a jig below a slip-bobber. It allows you to fish any depth, hold the jig in the fish-catching zone, and it provides the subtle action often required to take these fish. Make sure the jig is balanced with splitshot if it is not heavy enough to balance the float. Set it at the depth you want and use a simple stopper knot or a bead that comes with some of the floats. The knot should be tight around the line but the line itself should not be tied in a knot. Wind and wave action often supply all the movement you need. On calm days bounce the rod tip occasionally.
Small silver and gold spoons are good and many crappies are caught by fishermen trolling with spoons. Some anglers have taken a small piece of throat from one of their catch and used it for bait. Pearls have sometimes been effective, too. Black crappie, while feeding, exhibit jealous aggressiveness. When several fish eye the same bait, it is not uncommon to see them attack a bait in unison. This causes dissension among the ranks and has them attacking anything they think edible. Most anglers take advantage of this by putting bait in the thick of things.
Use small hooks, possibly a number six or smaller. These fish do not have big mouths, so save a day of missing fish by staying small. Their mouths are tender, too, so they must be landed with care so the mouth won't tear. Ice FishingAlthough the most popular time to fish for crappie in many areas is during their spring spawn, they are easily caught through the ice. In fact, about 75 percent of the catch taken by anglers fishing through the ice with hook and line is black crappie. Finding them could be a problem, but a smart angler will nose around and look for a large congregation of anglers that has found a school. Many areas of structure that are good for fishing during summer months are also good during winter.
Crappies school in a strange fashion, even in winter. They suspend vertically rather than laterally. An angler will usually be fishing under or over them. In winter, since you don't have the mobility you'd like, this is a bonus. Once you've located one crappie, odds are the next few will be easy picking.
The best fishing is usually where water is about ten to 15 feet deep, especially if it is near a drop-off, weedbed, or brush pile. Small minnows are most effective, but small jigs will produce as well. Three-way spreaders have also been used with minnows as bait. Jigging with pearls, small silver and gold spoons, or pork rinds (small pieces) will take fish.
Hand lines or winter fishing rods and reels are all one needs to enjoy a winter day's fishing. No need for big tackle boxes, most tackle can be carried in a coat pocket or small pocket-size portable tackle boxes. NO-NONSENSE ANGLING
Angling need not have the glamour of big game fishing to be enjoyable. White bass, yellow perch, and black crappie are ideal game fish for the novice and expert alike who want quick results and palatable fish.
The only word of caution when angling is to make sure that you don't contribute to their increasing population. Don't use them as live bait in waters that are not their home range. And help in their management by cropping their ranks—take a few, which is not difficult. You'll need more than one, anyway, to make a proper dish, but only take what you'll clean and eat.
Trackback(0)
 Recommend this article... |
TrackBack URI for this entry