Crappie

Schooling panfish that suspend around brush and are a favorite for light tackle and the table.

Where to find them

Brush piles, docks, standing timber and bridge pilings.

Best times

Spring spawn in shallows; winter and summer around deep cover.

Typical depth

2–25 feet

Tackle

Ultralight spinning rod or 10–12 ft jig pole, 4–6 lb line.

Top lures and baits

• Small tube jig
• Curly-tail grub
• Minnow under a slip float

Tips

• Crappie feed up — keep baits slightly above the school.
• Use a slip float to hold exact depth.
• Thin-wire hooks bend free of brush.