Tips on Fishing White Crappie from the Bank

“Going to the bank,” “hitting the brush,” “crappie run,” and “heading shallow” are just some of the popular terms for that season when crappie show up in waters of little depth. You may have heard of this season and might be wondering why. Crappies are popular North American freshwater panfish from the sunfish family. They share a common characteristic with other freshwater fish—they spawn in shallow water on the shores. Their spawning season in spring leads them to bankside vegetation, old logs, and covers. This season is greatly anticipated in the sportfishing world, as crappie is one of the most common games in America.

These games have two variations: the white crappie and the black crappie. The main differences between the two are their sizes and physical markings. White crappie are typically smaller in size, a little elongated, and have vertical bar patterns on the top side of their body. On the other hand, black crappie can grow much bigger, are commonly rounded, and are darker with irregular markings all over their bodies. But let us focus on white crappie’s bankside crowding phenomenon.

These white crappies are native to the Hudson Bay, the Great Lakes, and the Mississippi River basins. However, they have also already been introduced elsewhere. They commonly live in silty freshwaters like lakes, rivers, ponds, creeks, brooks, or streams. They can grow from about 6 inches to 20 inches in length. They are also excellent table fare and are considered one of the tastiest panfish white meats. This is one of the primary reasons why white crappie are being watched out for, especially in spring.

White crappie seek thicker covers and deeper waters in the heat of summer. They start to move in the fall, traveling from one freshwater to another. In winter, they gather together, making a productive winter crappie fishing once you find them. But of all seasons, spring is the best time to fish for white crappie. They are relatively easy to find in banks that tend to spawn from March to May. Many anglers love this season as they can fill their buckets and tummies with tasty white meat. They can be found in coves, submerged creek channels, islands, vegetation, areas of good cover such as willow or cypress trees, flooded timber, docks, piers, boathouses, stumps, or anything else that provides shelter.

 If you want to go crappie fishing in spring, here are some tips on where and how to find and catch them.

Which Baits and Lures to Use

White crappie fishing during the crappie run is easy when you locate them; they congregate and move together, so finding one means discovering all. This is also true for luring and baiting them. Casting the right bait or lure means targeting the crappie crowd and having more chances of getting a bite. Here is a list of the best baits and artificial lures for white crappie:

• Live minnows
• Worms
• Crickets
• Crawfish
• Shrimps
• Cut-bait
• Small spinnerbaits (1/32 to 1/8 ounce)
• Crankbaits
• Spoons
• Bobbers
• Light jigs
• Plastic worms

Out of all these, live minnows are the most popular. However, the crappie diet is diverse, so do not be afraid to experiment on anything. For jigs, almost any color combination produces good results.

Tips to Consider for the Crappie Run

When white crappie go to the banks, anglers may opt to be in the banks and fly fish for them from the shores or drift near the banks while on a boat. Wherever you are, you might want to take note of these the following tips for your next crappie fishing from the banks: 

1. Cast Slowly

Scouting the area where all the crappie congregate can be a trial-and-error run. Whether from a boat or the shoreline, try to cast slowly in your attempt to find them. This way, you do not startle the spawning crowd. When in a boat, work your way slowly. Cast in sheltered areas, near structures, coves, and under the trees.

2. Lure With Bait

A good way of locating a school of fish is to flick bait on the water lightly. If a fish sees it, it will start feeding, and more fish will follow after. The same goes with crappie. Throw in some cut bait in different areas to try and draw their attention. When they start feeding, you can start fishing. 

3. Place More Rigs

Setting up more rigs will get you higher chances of getting bites and catches. This also helps you determine which rig is more efficient in the area where you are crappie fishing. One popular method is often called “spider rigging,” a technique where anglers set up many fishing rods pointing away from them in different directions, usually in a boat. When setting up many rigs, be sure that you checked state regulations because some states allow using only one rod during the open water season.

4. Repeat the Processes

After experimenting and doing trial-and-error, you may repeat efficient processes several times or until crappie bite for best results. This also ensures that you are using the most effective way of fishing in the area where you found them. 

5. Understand Fish Movements

Pay attention to the rigs you use, baits you cast, and places you go for. White crappie will also give away meaningful learning from their actions. Note the movements in which they go and which methods affect the traits they show. This will help you in future crappie fishing, especially in the same areas, and will be great for fishing in different locations.

6. Be on the Move

Be ready to move from one place to another. Some anglers like to stay in one spot, which is good if the area is already abundant with crappie. But if not, staying mobile is one key to success when crappie fishing. Increase your willingness to walk around and find other places to increase your chances of finding better spots to fish white crappie from the bank!