5 Secrets for Spring Crappie Fishing

Fishing for crappie in the spring is different from fishing in the summer or fall. You will use different bait and size of bait than you would any other time.

You will fish different locations than you would during other months and you will have to watch the water conditions and the temperatures. You have to watch the spawning season closely to make sure that you get the male crappie if you do not want the females before they lay the eggs.

You will use a different technique in the spring than what you would use in other months. These are the 5 secrets for spring crappie fishing.

Bait

Make sure that you are offering bait that the crappie eats during the spring months. Because this is the time when spawning occurs, you have to offer bait that the fish will want. You can offer insects or very small minnows. The crappie is not interested in a fight so they will feed better on insects during the spring. If you have artificial bait, use something smaller than you would use in the summer and fall months.

In some cases, you can cut the minnow's head off and use the body and tail as bait. This appears smaller and is more the size that the crappie is after during spring.

Location

During the spring months, you have to look for where the fish are spawning. The males will stay with the eggs until they hatch. The females with lay the eggs and start their journey back to deeper waters. The males however, will stay and guard the eggs until they hatch. After the eggs hatch, you can expect to see the males start heading back to the deeper waters. Look in shallow waters near muddy bottoms and by fallen timber.

Water Condition and Temperature

You must no the water temperatures to know where the crappie are going to be. If the temperature of the water does not warm quickly enough during spring, the fish may be a little late to the spawn and their return to deeper waters.

The water condition as well is another concern. Crappies prefer clear waters but the white crappie can tolerate some strained water. If the water conditions are terribly strained, you might not be able to fish that day. Sometimes the wind and rain can stir up the water and make murky conditions.

Before and After the Spawn

Before the spawn, anglers can look around the areas where the crappie head to the spawning grounds. Shallow waters are idea for spawning crappies. After the spawn, you will see the females returning the deeper water while the males return a few days later.

If you want to catch crappie during the spring months, you can fish crappie during the and after the spawn. There are some ways that you can tell if you are getting a female or a male crappie during the spring months. Some anglers are not very happy when they catch the females when they are filleting the fish.

Dan Eggertsen is a fishing researcher and enthusiast who is committed to providing the best crappie fishing information possible. Go to http://www.askcrappiefishing.com/editorials/5-secrets-for-spring-crappie-fishing.html for more information on crappie fishing.

Tackle Tip: How to Pick the Right Minnow Net

Are you searching for the right minnow net to help make your fishing trips more productive? Minnows are one of the most popular baits around. They are used to fish numerous species of fish and they're easy to come by. You can buy minnows from your local bait shop but you can also catch your own. Since using bait that is caught in the same location in which you're fishing works the best, many anglers choose to catch their own.

Of course, if you want to make this an easy process, then you need to know how to pick the right minnow net for your needs. The minnow net has gone through a lot of changes throughout the years. They come in all sizes and there are several different types sold today. So how do you know which one is for you?

Before you can choose the right minnow net, you need to know a little about them.

How to Choose a Minnow Net

Choosing the right minnow net really isn't that hard to do. There are a variety of different sizes available so this would be one of the first things you would consider. How big of a net do you need? This will partly depend on how much fishing you plan to do. If you only go out for a few hours at a time or only get to fish once in awhile, then a small to medium one should do the trick. You don't need to catch a lot of minnows at one time that you won't be able to use anyway. Let them grow and multiply until next time.

If you do lots of fishing or if you're catching minnows for a large group of anglers to use then you would be better off choosing a large minnow net to save time. The next decision would be what style of net to choose. Some of your options are listed below.

Basic Minnow Net - The basic minnow net is made of mess attached to a ring with a handle. All you have to do is place the net in the water underneath the minnows and pull it up through the middle of them. Your net will be full of fresh minnows for your fishing trip.

Umbrella Net - This net gets its name from its unique shape. It looks like an upside down umbrella when in the water. All you have to do is bait the net with some bread or other food to attract the minnows and when they swim over the submerged net, lift it up and out of the water.

Dan Eggertsen is a fishing researcher and enthusiast who is committed to providing the best crappie fishing information possible. Go to http://www.askcrapp iefishing. com/editorials/ 5_how-to- pick-the- right-minnow- net.html for more information on crappie fishing gear.

Fishing Facts: 5 White Perch Facts

The white perch may not be as well-known as some of the other species but they are an interesting fish. This species will migrate to tidal fresh and slightly salted water each year when it's time for the spring spawning. The white perch has a thin body and they are actually a silvery color with dark lines along the sides of its body. However, depending on the area where they are fished, they can also be an olive, grayish green or dark brown color on their backs. This color gets lighter as it goes down the sides.

The anal fin has three strong spines and it will be a rosy color on some of the white perch. They have two dorsal fins that are separate. The first fin has nine spines and the second one is soft-rayed. They have large scales compared to many of the other species and white perch have numerous small but very sharp teeth. They are sought out by anglers of all skill levels but they're a good species for the novice angler who's just starting out.

White Perch Facts

The white perch is considered an invasive species because they tend to overpopulate many of the areas where they're introduced. This overpopulation will stunt the growth of both the white perch and many of the other species in the area causing them to not be able to grow as large as they normally would. They are considered to be a member of the bass family but they are not a true bass. They are often called by other names such as silver perch, bass perch, narrow-mouthed bass, sea perch and silver bass.

They can be found in freshwater and salty waters along parts of the Atlantic coast. They are the most abundant along the Hudson River and the Chesapeake Bay and they can be found in many of the larger reservoirs in Maryland. They begin the spring spawning when the water temperature reaches between 50 to 60 degrees. This is when they are feeding the most aggressively. They will feed both day and night so anytime is a good time to seek them out. They will be closer to the shoreline at night and they will move out to the deeper waters during the day. Below are a few more interesting facts surrounding this species.

5 White Perch Facts:

1. The white perch is closely related to the striped bass but they are still not considered to be a true bass.

2. This species is fished in the Chesapeake Bay and parts of the lower Great Lakes commercially.

3. The oldest white perch recorded lived for seventeen years but the average life expectancy is five to seven years.

4. This species can be caught on worms, minnows, lures and streamer flies.

5. The white perch is considered a sportfish that is sought after for its sweet delicious taste.

The white perch may not be as well-known as some of the other species but they are popular with many anglers. Their average length is about ten inches and they weigh about one pound. This makes them a species that anyone can reel in. You don't need any special equipment to seek them out and they will put up a good fight for their size. This makes seeking them out fun and entertaining.

Dan Eggertsen is a fishing researcher and enthusiast who is committed to providing the best crappie fishing information possible. Go to http://www.askcrapp iefishing. com/editorials/ 5-white-perch- facts_.html for more information on crappie fishing.

5 Tasty Crappie Recipes

If you get tired of fried crappie, try these delicious recipes, developed and tested in my kitchen by Yours Truly, and friends.

Crappie Tacos: this is a lot like the fish tacos you get from the taco-stands in Baja region of Mexico, and southern California, except they use Tilapia most of the time. Tilapia is delicious, but crappie is better.

Makes 6 tacos:

12 corn torillas
6 crappie fillets, cut to the length of a folded corn tortilla.
2 cups diced onions
3 cups fresh chopped cilantro
6 lime quarters ( 2 limes will give you 8 quarters. Squeeze the 2 extras into your beer or tea.)
1/3 cup melted butter (or margarine)
1 tsp Chili Powder
1 tsp Cumin (I prefer fresh ground, but you can use bottled ground cumin if you
want)
Your favorite salsa, or hot sauce, to taste
Salt and pepper to taste
*optional: sliced avocados

Start by heating two skillets or a flat grill to 350 degrees, on the stove, or use electric ones. While the grill/skillets are heating, melt the butter in the microwave (carefully, on low power), and add the chili powder and cumin to it.

When the grill/skillet is hot heat up the 12 tortillas and place them in a tortilla holder, or wrap in foil and place in a 250-degree oven to keep warm.

Spray the grill/skillet with a non-stick cooking spray, then place the fillets on the grill. As they are cooking, drizzle the butter/spice mixture over them. Cook about 2 minutes, then carefully turn them over, and repeat for the other side. When they are done, remove them to a plate. (Note: the fish are done when they flake easily with a fork. Do not over-cook)

To assemble the tacos, place two tortilla, one on top of the other, on a plate, and place a fillet on top. Put onions, cilantro, salsa, salt and pepper, and avocado slice (if desired) on top of the fillet. Squeeze a lime quarter over the top, getting as much juice as possible out of it, then fold the tortilla in half. Repeat for the other 5 tacos.

Garnish with an ice-cold Dos Equis, or Carte Blanche

Pascare il Linguine: this has the flavor of fine gourmet dining. It starts with a basic Sauce Blance, or Bechamel. If you are ever going to be serious about cooking, you need to learn the 5 basic sauces that all other sauces are derived from: Bechamel, Veloute, Espagnole, Hollandaise, Mayonnaise, and Vinaigrette. I have include the recipe for Bechamel. Keep it for future reference. You will use it a lot, as it is the "King of Sauces". All we do for this is to create a delicate-flavored garlic basil sauce to enhance the natural flavor of crappie, but not cover it up. It is heavenly!

Makes 2 servings.

1 pound of linguine, cooked al-dente.
2 cups L'aglio-basilico- la Salsa di Oregan (recipe follows)
4 crappie fillets (one complete fish for each plate)
1 tbsp melted butter
1 tbsp white wine
salt and pepper to taste

For the : L'aglio-basilico- la Salsa di Oregan:

2 cups milk
4 tbsp melted butter
4 tbsp flour
2 tbsp minced garlic
1 tbsp basil
1 tsp oregano
salt and pepper to taste

Dan Eggertsen is a fishing researcher and enthusiast who is committed to providing the best crappie fishing information possible. Go to http://www.askcrapp iefishing. com/editorials/ 5-crappie- recipes_. html for more information on crappie recipes.

Tackle Tip: Five Crappie Jig Fishing Secrets

Many people have trouble catching crappie on jigs, especially when the fish get sulky. This will sound over-simplified, but the difference between going home empty, or filling a fish basket up is simply proper techniques for the prevailing conditions. During the spawn, anyone can catch crappie, on just about anything, but in Post-Spawn mode, crappie tend to be moody and uncoopertive.

Many times, they will suspend at a certain depth, without regard to cover, and refuse anything unless it just about swims into their mouth on it's own. Here are some tricks that will boost your harvest next time.

First, let's talk about equipment. If you are going to be a serious year-around crappie angler, there are a few thing you MUST have. You'll need a boat, of some kind. It needn't be a $14,000 Tournament boat. Any dinghy, skiff, canoe, kayak, inflatable, Jon Boat, or even a Float Tube will work in many instances.

I use a Kayak, Canoe and Float-Tube, myself. You'll need a depth-finder, but the portable units work fine. Next, the main rods you will need are crappie poles in 10', and 12' lengths. They can be true poles, or have reel seats. B N makes several great modles. You need a ultra light reel and 4 lb. test Trilene. I use nothing else for crappie.

As to jig selection, you can fill a tackle box up quickly (and you no doubt will) with the plethora of different heads and bodies available, but to start with, I'd keep it simple. Nothing outfishes the plain-old 1/16th oz. marabou jig. They come in all colors, and combinations, and are dirt-cheap. Next, I d have a good supply of small tube jigs. And, a good assortment of twister tails rounds out the well-equiped arsenal.

The best colors are Chartuese and Yellow, with white being a good second choice early in the season. In murky waters, use lighter and brighter colors. At night, use all-black. Top all this off with a good brand of scent, like Smelly Jelly, or
Berkley Baitmate, in Minnow and Shad flavors.

Now, what to do with all this gear? Here are the proper techniques to use in different situations.
Still-Fish-For some reason, a lot of people think that a jig is not effective unless it's moving. This is definitly a false assumption. When crappie are moody, they get ultra-lazy, and will refuse anything moving fast enough to have to make them expend any energy to get it. Sometimes people fish right in the middle of a large school of crappie, and never get a hit, because they are moving the jig. After locating a school with your depth-finder, watch them for a minute. If they are stationary, chances are they are moody.

Dan Eggertsen is a fishing researcher and enthusiast who is committed to providing the best crappie fishing information possible. Go to http://www.askcrapp iefishing. com/editorials/ 6_five-crappie- jig-fishing- secrets.html for more information on Crappie Jig Fishing.

Useful Tackle tips: How and When to Use Weedless Crappie Jigs

"Whitesparkle"

To be a great crappie angler you need to experiment with all the different types of crappie fishing baits available. Most likely you have already had great success with live baits.

The crappies are very fond of minnows but won't pass up the chance to snag a few insects or any one of the other foods they feed on naturally. Live bait is often used when fishing for crappies but it's not the only thing that you can have a lots of success using. There are a number of artificial baits that will work just as well and even better in some instances.

For example, have you ever tired to use live bait around weedy areas, Lilly pads or areas with structures? If so, you probably had a problem keeping the bait on the hook. They tend to get hung up or dragged off constantly causing you to spend more time getting them loose and rebating the hook than you do getting bites. Luckily, there is a solution to this problem and it's called the weedless crappie jig.

Slider weedless crappie jigs is one of the most popular baits used because it works so well in this type of environment. It may get caught around the debris found in these areas occasionally but they still work very well.

Just make sure you secure the hook in this jig or you'll end up losing it instead of catching a crappie. There are other weedless jigs available for you to choose from as well so take a little time to check out your options and see what's on the market today.

When to Use Weedless Crappie Jigs

The weedless crappie jig is designed in a special way to prevent it from getting hung up when fishing for crappies. This species tend to hang out around structures, rocks, ledges and weeds where they can be difficult to get to. When fishing around these areas it's very common for the bait to get snagged and even stuck on the debris.

Many times, you'll reel in your line to discover you need a new jig because you lost the one you had on some type of obstacle in the water. Other times, you may even have to cut the line because it's impossible to get it loose.

This can be very frustrating and certainly cuts back on your fishing time. The design of the weedless crappie jig eliminates or at the very least, reduces this problem. Anytime you're fishing for crappies in weedy areas or around Lilly pads it would be to your advantage to use a weedless jig.

Basically, they can be used anywhere there is heavy cover and structures with a great amount of success. It's a good idea to keep a variety of these available with you at all times.

Dan Eggertsen is a fishing researcher and enthusiast who is committed to providing the best crappie fishing information possible. Go to http://www.askcrapp iefishing. com/editorials/ 5_how-and- when-to-use- weedless- crappi-jigs. html for more information on crappie fishing jigs.

More Tackle tips: Three Tips for Tying Crappie Jigs

"BumbleBee Jig"

What are crappie jigs and how are they used? They are a type of artificial lure that were designed to attract the crappie. They are made with two unique parts which consist of the body and the head. The head of the jig is actually a lead piece that's shaped like a bullet.

The lead piece is on the opposite side of a hook which is fully exposed. The lead pieces are designed in different colors and styles to resemble the different foods the crappies feed on.

The body is made from different types of materials that include feathers, hair, tinsel and chenille. You can also attach other shapes made of soft plastics to the jig to get better results when crappie fishing. These come in a variety of shapes and styles. For example, some of them resemble curly tails and others are shaped like their favorite food the minnow. The three types of crappie jigs are the marabou jig, rooster tail jig and the curly tail jig. In order to use jigs correctly, you need to know how to tie them the right way.

Below are three tips that will help make tying crappie jigs faster and easier.

Crappie Jig Tying Tips

Tying a crappie jig may seem like a simple process but it's an important one. If the jig is not tied the right way then it could cause you to lose your catch and the jig. It won't function properly and it will lose its effectiveness. It's easy to prevent either one of these scenario from occurring. All you need to do is a take a few minutes and make sure the jig is tied correctly.

Three tips that will help make tying a crappie jigs easier and faster.

You need to invest in a good vice grip. It should be one that is easy to handle but that is small enough to hold the end of the hook without making it difficult to get to. It would be very difficult to tie a crappie jig without this tool.

You will need a lot of thread that will be twisted around the base of the hook so it's recommended that you use thread or thin twine that is sold on spools. This will make the tying process go much smoother.
Have all of your tools and items needed together and close at hand before you start. You don't want to have to stop in the middle of the process and go look for something.

Dan Eggertsen is a fishing researcher and enthusiast who is committed to providing the best crappie fishing information possible. Go to http://www.askcrapp iefishing. com/editorials/ 5_three-tips- fo- tying-crappie- jigs.html for more information on crappie fishing jigs.

Tackle Tips: Basic Crappie Supplies That Every Fisherman Needs

If you are just starting out crappie fishing or taking it to a new level there are a few things that you'll need. Perhaps you haven't been fishing for years and you now have the time to pick up where you left off.

In either case, there are a few things that every fisherman needs to get started. On the other hand, there's a lot of gear available that you don't need as a beginner.

With so many different fishing supplies available, where do you start? How do you know what you really need and what should wait until later after you're more experienced?

Some of the necessary gear is obvious while others are things you might not think about, until you need them. If you're new to crappie fishing or simply haven't had the time to enjoy it in awhile, you may be a little shocked when you go to buy supplies.

There are so many things to choose from it can be a little overwhelming at first. That's why so many novice anglers end up spending lots of money on things they don't need, then discover they don't have some of the supplies they do need.

Below you'll find the information needed to help you buy the basic crappie supplies required to get started.

Basic crappie supplies that every fisherman needs:

Rod - The fishing rod is one of the obvious items that you'll need when going crappie fishing. But what type of rod should you use to get started? A light-weight fishing rod is recommended for catching crappies. The length can vary according to what's comfortable for you.

Reel - The reel is something that all fishermen know they need but again, which one would be best for catching crappies? The spinning reel is normally recommended for beginners and the reel should be light-weight to match the fishing rod.

Fishing Line - The fishing line is often overlooked. After all, it comes on the reel, Right? Some reels will have fishing line on them but not all of them do. Still, that doesn't mean you won't need more or that it's the kind you want to use.

What happens when the line gets tangled up and you have to cut it? What if you catch a larger size fish than you expected and it breaks your line? You always need extra fishing line with you when you go crappie fishing, just in case.

Dan Eggertsen is a fishing researcher and enthusiast who is committed to providing the best crappie fishing information possible. Go to http://www.askcrapp iefishing. com/editorials/ 5_basic-crappie- supplies- that-every- fisherman- needs.html for more information on crappie fishing.

Where to Catch Crappie

There are two types of crappies known as the white and the black crappie. They are very much alike with a few distinctive features. The white crappie has six spines, dark bars that run vertically along their sides and a short dossal fin.

The hump on their back is bigger than the ones found on the black crappie and they are the larger of the two. The black crappie has seven or eight spines, dark spots located all over theirs sides in no apparent order and they have a longer dorsal fin.

The white crappies prefer the dark murky waters while the black crappies tend to favor the clear waters in lakes and streams and areas that are weedy.

Nevertheless, both species can usually be found in all types of lakes, rivers and ponds. Both the white and the black crappies eat worms, crayfish, aquatic insects and their favorite food is the minnow. They are both members of the well-known sunfish family and will spawn in the spring like most species depending on the temperature of the water. The water temperature will affect the aggressiveness of the crappies as well.

Where to Find Crappies

The crappie is one of the easiest species of fish to catch. That is, once you find them. They hang out in schools so when you've found one, you've usually have found a good fishing spot. They can be found anywhere there are natural or man-made structures. Any submerged trees or brush piles found throughout the body of water is an excellent place to look for crappies.

One of the great things about crappie fishing is the fact that you can normally catch them all year long so, you can go fishing anytime. They are more abundant during the spring spawning season where they can be found close inland. This is when they're the most aggressive and the easiest to catch. In the summer they search for structures and shady spots so you can find them around anything that provides protection from the sun. However, their aggressiveness will slow down during the heat of the summer.

The crappies will move back in closer to the shoreline during the fall months and during this time of year they will slowly become more aggressive again. This is a trend that will continue throughout the winter which is why they are fished all year long. Unlike many species of fish, the daytime is a great time to seek out the crappies because they're not as active during the night. Still, the best time is just after the sun rises and just before it sets in the evening.

Dan Eggertsen is a fishing researcher and enthusiast who is committed to providing the best crappie fishing information possible. Go to http://www.askcrapp iefishing. com/editorials/ 5_where-to- catch-crappie. html for more information on crappie fishing.

Want to MORE THAN DOUBLE your catches instantly...100% Guaranteed?

Incredible Scientific Fishing Breakthrough Automatically Attracts And Targets Monster Fish Of Any Species - In Any Body Of Water... Easily Haul In Record-Breaking Fish From A Swarm Of Thousands!

Urgent Warning: Do not buy another piece of fishing equipment......until you have seen this hidden discovery from the 1940's thathas just been revealed!

Spring Is Coming Get It Now Limited to the First 200

Get It Fast Right Here!!!!!! click this Now!

Best Places for Locating Crappie Fishing in Pennsylvania

Whether you call Pennsylvania home or are just planning a visit there, if you want to get the most from your crappie fishing experience, you need to know the best places for locating crappie fishing in Pennsylvania.

The more you learn about crappie and the types of waters they live in, the better it will help you in finding them in Pennsylvania.

Crappie are part of the sunfish family and they are found in all of the continental United States. You may have heard them called by other names such as bridge perch, speckled perch, goggleye or paper mouth. These are just a few of the popular names for crappie and the terminology you hear will often be based on what part of the country you are in.

Pennsylvania is a great place for fishing for crappie because its many lakes are loaded with them. When you know what to do and where to go, you can rest assured you will fish your limit with no troubles whatsoever. Some of the most popular lakes for fishing crappie in Pennsylvania are:

Blue Marsh Lake
High Point Reservoir
Glendale Lake
Lake Arthur
Lake Erie
Hammond Lake
Tamarack Lake
Shenango River Lake
Pymatuning Lake
Raystown Lake

These are all known for having an abundant amount of crappie in their waters. There are different species of crappie and you can expect to find them in the different waters of Pennsylvania as well.

Of the many types of crappie, they are generally classified into two main categories. These are the black crappie and the white crappie. Both can be found in Pennsylvania but usually in different types of waters.

The black crappie is darker in color, as the name suggests and has seven or eight dorsal spines. It has spotted sides and is sometimes called the "spotted crappie" and is most often found in northern states and in larger and deeper impoundments. This is why the black crappie is most common in Pennsylvania.

However, the white crappie can also be found in some areas of Pennsylvania, even though it is more common in southern states. White crappie are lighter in color and have six dorsal spines and usually eight or nine vertical bands on their sides. They usually prefer the calmer backwaters in a lake.

Both species of crappie can grow to around give pounds but it's much more common to catch them around a pound.

There are many ways to go about getting your crappie fishing in Pennsylvania successfully. It's up to you to choose the method that works best for you and the situation at hand.

You may find that you need to switch tactics from one fishing situation to the next. In fact, it is quite common for crappie fishers to need to change their techniques to fit the situation.

Some popular ways to fish for crappie in Pennsylvania are:

Casting
Trolling
Drifting
Still-fishing

While there are many Pennsylvania lakes full of crappie, one of the best times of the year to get started is in the spring. You will find the crappie are in the spawning season and they will be very abundant at this time.

Dan Eggertsen is a fishing researcher and enthusiast who is committed to providing the best bass fishing information possible. Go to http://www.askcatfi shfishing. com/editorials/ good-choices- in-catfishing- reels.html for more information on catfish reels.