Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - May/June 2020 - 12
Catching Crappies
from a Kayak
by Jeff Woleslagle
photos by the author
The water was as calm and reflective as a mirror, and the
sun was just beginning to lift over the ridge when I arrived
at the state park boat launch. From a previous fishing trip,
I knew where there was a pronounced weed edge about
15 yards from the shoreline. I figured that the fish would
be holding somewhere near it. With a little patience and
exploration, it would just be a matter of time until I located
the fish. I positioned the kayak parallel to the submerged
plant growth and made my first cast with a small jig
suspended about 2 feet below a float. After the ripples on
the water's surface dissipated, I gave the float a slight twitch
with my rod, and it immediately went under. I set the hook
lightly. As I suspected, it was a crappie. It normally takes
a little roaming to locate a school, so I was pleased to find
one right out of the gate. I had mentally marked the exact
spot that fish came from, and I repeated the first cast with
the same result. After I had caught and released six fish
from that spot, it shut down, and I knew it was time to
start looking for another school of active fish. Most lakes in
12
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater * May/June 2020
Pennsylvania boast ample numbers of crappies, but a little
internet research can help anglers key in on popular bodies
of water.
A kayak can be the ideal vessel to use in pursuing
crappies. Kayaks provide stealth and maneuverability that
allow anglers to stay close to actively feeding fish. A kayak
can also permit access to waters that are too shallow or
difficult to navigate with a larger boat. Without a motor,
kayaks give anglers a quiet approach to likely looking spots.
Great baits for catching crappies from a kayak include
small jigs and live minnows. I prefer jigs, because jigs are
easier to deal with, but Fathead Minnows hooked through
the lips and suspended below a small float can be deadly. Soft
plastic jigs in natural colors such as white, clear, and minnow
patterns are a good first choice when the water is relatively
clear. Do not overlook darker colors like brown, purple, and
black, which are effective in the right conditions. Chartreuse
may also be productive for spring time crappies, especially
in slightly stained water. Small tubes are also good fished on
a matching colored 1⁄16-ounce jighead. Try suspending the
jig or tube about 2 feet below a small float and twitching it
periodically. Experiment until you find the depth fish are
holding. Try adjusting the distance between the float and the
jig until active fish are located.
www.fishandboat.com
http://www.fishandboat.com
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - May/June 2020
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - May/June 2020
Contents
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - May/June 2020 - Cover1
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - May/June 2020 - Cover2
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - May/June 2020 - Contents
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