LARGE BODIES OF WATER

The best and most productive weed formation I have found on larger lakes is cabbage weeds that top off between eight and eleven feet from the surface (Diagram A.). You'll want to seek out this type of weed adjacent to deeper water. I have also noted that the deeper the water is adjacent to the weeds, the more productive it will be on a consistant bases. Drop-offs with a gentler slop leading up to the weeds will be less productive, as crappies will move in and out of these areas. ShallowFlats and humps with weeds, main lake drop offs, deep flats, and mid lake humps will also produce some good crappies, but they will tend to move in and out as they roam about in schools. You may get on some of the largest fish in the lake, but it's a hit or miss scenario -- and one situation where you need a good quality sonar. When searching out the weed structure, check bays, inlets, harbors, and around river mouths, but still always make sure you have deeper water adjacent to your weeds.

From late June to late August with surface temperatures over 70o F you should find the crappies located near the tops of the weeds. This applies especially on warm to hot sunny days(Diagram A,1). I know what your thinking , all the articles say, when the sun is high the crappies will be near the bottom of the weeds or the drop offs adjacent to the weeds (Diagram A,2). And when it is overcast or when the sun is low in the sky the crappies will be near the top of the weeds. I don't know about other areas, but in the areas I fish (southern Ontario), I have constantly found crappies ON TOP, IN THE BLAZING HOT SUN.

As we approach fall and the surface temperature drops to the low sixties you will find the crappies will locate near the bottom of the weeds or just off the drop-offs adjacent to the weed lines. You will notice the weeds starting to deteriorate with the temperature drop and the shortening of the days. So search for the weed lines that hold up longer as fall progresses. This is also a good time to check rock shoals with staggered steep drop-offs.

As we progress through September and October, some crappies will start to school up and make daily migrations up larger rivers, channels, and inlets. I have found the larger fish will not migrate up as far as the smaller ones will. The best place to cheque is the river mouths.

One of the best and fastest ways to locate crappies on productive weeds and locations, is to talk to the bass pros. Remember a crappie is a close relative of the bass, and will be in the same habitat as the bass. I have come to realize that the pros often catch them when per practicing for tournaments. Ask them where, how deep, what where were the conditions, and what time of day it was.

Click to Listen!