Crappie Fishing Basics: Simple Steps On How To Catch Crappies
May 29, 2009 by admin
Filed under Fishing Boats
Old School Crappie Fishing Family Secrets
The Crappie’s Fishing Basics
Crappie are found all over the United States From the east cost all the way to California, from southern Canada, To Florida and just about any other place there is a lake river or stream. if you are a beginning fisherman, this species of fish is ideal to target because of the in expense of fishing equipment you will need and of course the abundance of this fish at so many local locations. Also if you want to introduce your kids to fishing this is the way to go. Your kid’s chance of catching fish are much greater when fishing for these fish.
The crappie’s numbers are abundant and the action is good. To start fishing for crappie is really inexpensive. Here’s a small list of fishing equipment you will need. Get yourself a cane pole that is over 10ft long, some 3 to 4 lb test line, some crappie hooks, and a small bobber. All these items can be found at most bait shops and at any department store. Many times when you purchase the cane pole these items will already bee rigged up for you. All these items can be purchased for under 25$ . Now you can spend a lot more and you will if you really get interested in the sport, but if you just want to try crappie fishing the cane pole option is the way to go.
No mater if you spend just 25$ or if you go out and buy a more elaborate fishing outfit you still need to know some basic facts about the crappie species of fish to catch them. You need to do a little bit of reading so you know what their typical habitat is so you know where to find them. I would suggest while you are getting your crappies live bait at the local bait shop that you ask a few questions as to where the fish are biting.
You also need to know what they look like. For instance, if you are new to fishing for this species you need to know that the there are two types of crappie. The two species of crappie are the black (Pomoxis nigromaculatus) and the white (Pomoxis annularis). The white and the black crappie are both part of the sunfish family (Centrarchidae) which consists of for example bluegills, largemouth bass and other warm water game fish. These fish are found only in the north American hemisphere, from Sothern Ontario into Mexico. No need to worry to make special preparations to catch either the black or the white, the same crappie fishing basics will work well on either of them. Here’s a few identification tips: Black crappie tend to be a shade darker then their sister white crappie. And they have a irregular pattern of spots on their bodies. White crappie are lighter in color and have a defined vertical pattern of spots. Here’s another way of identifying the two crappies. Count the number of splines on the dorsal fin. If the count is between 7 and 8 the fish is a black crappie, if the count is between 5 and 6 then you have a white crappie. Black crappie thrive better in colder, clear water and can be found as far north as I said in the first paragraph in southern Canada.The whites seem to like large lakes and slow moving rivers like in the south. Both these fish can be found any where in the lower 48 states and many time are found living together and yes they do cross breed.
The crappie’s size will depend totally on it’s local environment, and there size will cycle over time, but on the average you can expect to catch fish from 1/2lb to 1lb each. In most local fishing locations you can catch fish into the 2lb range if you stick to good crappie fishing basics. The largest white crappie on record was caught in Enid Lake Mississippi, and was recorded to be 5lb and 2 ounces. There is a tie for the record black crappie, a 4lb 8once black was caught at both Kerr Lake Virginia and Otoe Lake Nebraska.
Crappies feed on small fish, like your typical crappie fishing minnow and small aquatic insects and tiny crustaceans. before the crappie reaches adulthood they will feed primarily on small crustaceans and insects , while after they reach adulthood there diet will change to larger small fish like minnows. Studies have been conducted on the both the white and black adult crappies and it seems that the black will feed a great deal on insects in the spring and switch to small fish such as minnows throughout the rest of the year. The adult white’s primary meal is small fish such as minnows throughout the year.
Just remember when your fishing for the crappies to have fun! If you stick to some crappie fishing basics there’s a good chance you will come away with a basic full of good eating fish, so GOOD LUCK!
Mark Fleagle is an Expert Author At Ezinearticles.com. and has over 30 years of fishing experience who has written 100’s of useful fishing articles. Would you like to max out your catch on your next fishing trip? Blow your fishing buddies out of the water and get your bragging rights today! Also don’t forget to get your free copy of “78 Fishing Discoveries Unleashed” http://www.oldfishinghole.com
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