Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - November/December 2023 - 35
Crappies may be finicky, calling for a variety of jig colors and soft plastic offerings.
drifting ice or high-water events. While laydowns
can be productive, offshore brush piles can also be
rewarding holes you have to yourself.
* Cribs of various sizes and designs are found in
many of our lakes, resulting from the Pennsylvania
Fish and Boat Commission's (PFBC's) habitat
improvement efforts. Maps showing the general
location of cribs can be found on PFBC's website at
fishandboat.com.
* Side imaging is most efficient in locating fish in deep
brush piles and cribs. Transducers that feature higher
resolution provide better detail.
* It's common for crappies to stack up on one or two
cribs among a cluster of 12 or more. The same can be
said for a group of laydowns or offshore brush piles.
Crappies are mobile fish, so location can change
from day to day. It pays to look for cover holding fish
before wetting a line.
* Presentation-wise, fishing vertically is most effective
given the depths being fished and the unlikelihood of
the boat disrupting crappies.
* A bait selection that includes light jig heads (1/16- to
1/8-ounce), a variety of soft plastic profiles in several
colors, nibble-sized scent/flavor attractors, artificial
minnows in the 1- to 2-inch range and ¼-ounce blade
baits will provide lots of options for optimal productivity.
* When hovering over deep wood, my first bait option
is a 2-inch soft plastic bait on a light jig head. Often, I
apply scent attractant before lowering it down, being
patient as it can take a while to reach the cover below.
Thin " nano " braid provides the feel for light bites,
which are often just a heaviness on the line. Usually,
the most active fish are suspended in the uppermost
part of the cover. When light jigs snag up, the hook
will often straighten enough to pull free.
* If fish jump on initial efforts, fine. Normally it takes
some experimentation. Adding a " nibble " to the
hook will most likely do the trick. Then, try different
colors and profiles. If the fish still won't bite, show
them a ¼-ounce blade bait fished with short snaps
and lengthy pauses. If all fails, put down a 1- to
2-inch minnow such as a Gulp! Alive!
® Minnow.
I've experienced days where fish ignored all other
offerings but bit the tiny pseudo minnow.
* Crappies taken from deep water may not be
releasable due to the pressure change. Harvest fish
when they struggle on the surface following release.
This crappie was caught using a 1/4-ounce blade bait.
November/December 2023
35
http://fishandboat.com
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - November/December 2023
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - November/December 2023
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - November/December 2023 - Cover1
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - November/December 2023 - Cover2
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - November/December 2023 - 3
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - November/December 2023 - 4
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - November/December 2023 - 5
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - November/December 2023 - 6
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - November/December 2023 - 7
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Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - November/December 2023 - 9
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Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - November/December 2023 - Cover3
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - November/December 2023 - Cover4
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