Has anyone found any shallow crappie? I’ve never fished for them in Moultrie this time of the year.
“They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.”
-Benjamin Franklin
Malibu Stealth 12
2008 Carolina Skiff JVX16/ Yamaha F60
I haven’t fished for them yet this year, but I would have my doubts about them staying shallow just yet. They should be beginning to stage at the drop offs 8 to 15 ft (look for submerged structure on those ledges) near the shallows. I would imagine in the next few weeks they will start to transition between the shallows and the drop offs based on water temp, weather and sunlight conditions. I won’t be able to go looking for them for a couple more weeks (out of town on business), but if I were to look today; that is where I would do it.
2013 Ranger Z21 Intracoastal 250 hp Yamaha VMAX SHO
quote:
Originally posted by Big ShrimpinI haven’t fished for them yet this year, but I would have my doubts about them staying shallow just yet. The should be beginning to stage at the drop offs 8 to 15 ft (look for submerged structure on those ledges) near the shallows. I would imagine in the next few weeks they will start to transition between the shallows and the drop offs based on water temp, weather and sunlight conditions. I won’t be able to go looking for them for a couple more weeks (out of town on business), but I were to look today; that is where I would do it.
2013 Ranger Z21 Intracoastal 250 hp Yamaha VMAX SHO
Thats what I was thinking, but the water temp is around 55 already. I guess I will have to do some experimenting.
“They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.”
-Benjamin Franklin
Malibu Stealth 12
2008 Carolina Skiff JVX16/ Yamaha F60
I haven’t been, but in my experience crappie move shallow in cooler water than many realize. If the water temps in the mid 50’s, they’ll be moving.
I haven’t been, but in my experience crappie move shallow in cooler water than many realize. If the water temps in the mid 50’s, they’ll be moving shallow. I’d be hitting shallow cover close to deeper water.
Now Thats exactly what I said… Last year water was 45 degrees and I was slaying them.
BOB
100% accurate. If you don’t get the big females shallow in the next week or so until the full moon on Murray and Santee, then you will miss them until next year.
quote:
Originally posted by pitcherI haven’t been, but in my experience crappie move shallow in cooler water than many realize. If the water temps in the mid 50’s, they’ll be moving.
Generally speaking. If the crappie are holding shallow, the question would not even have to be asked; it is apparent by the number of people targeting crappie. This is the one time of year where everyone suddenly becomes a crappie fisherman. Also, even during the spawn, the crappie travel between the nearby drops and the shallows regularly. All of the crappie do not set up in the shallows all at once for a set period of time. I do know of some shallower areas, backwater ditch type places that will get the crappie earlier than the shallow flats around the more open water. I did not find any "shallow’ crappie consistently in areas on the open lake last year until April. Last winter was much different than this one.
2013 Ranger Z21 Intracoastal 250 hp Yamaha VMAX SHO
Got 6 Thursday 0 Friday 5 Saturday. Shallow. Big numbers not showing up yet…
Trying them again in the morning.
BOB
Nice. Thanks for the report. I’ll be back home in a week or so, I can’t wait to start catching them myself.
2013 Ranger Z21 Intracoastal 250 hp Yamaha VMAX SHO
I’m heading out on Sunday to try for them. I’ll be in my kayak launching out of the hatchery. Thinking that if the wind is down, I’ll launch on the north side ramp and fish out from there. Hope to see y’all out there.
Thats why they call it fishing, not catching
quote:
Originally posted by Bob 241Got 6 Thursday 0 Friday 5 Saturday. Shallow. Big numbers not showing up yet…
Trying them again in the morning.BOB
You mind if I ask if you got those on minnows or lures?
Thats why they call it fishing, not catching
quote:
Originally posted by markbobquote:
Originally posted by Bob 241Got 6 Thursday 0 Friday 5 Saturday. Shallow. Big numbers not showing up yet…
Trying them again in the morning.BOB
You mind if I ask if you got those on minnows or lures?
Thats why they call it fishing, not catching
Minnows (ROSEY REDS)
BOB
Got on Moultrie early this morning. Fished like minnows and crickets and tossed some road runner jigs. Fished 2 to 28 feet deep with no luck besides a few small bluegill.
“They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.”
-Benjamin Franklin
Malibu Stealth 12
2008 Carolina Skiff JVX16/ Yamaha F60
I got 4. They were smaller and two were males. All I been getting are big females. Thought today would have been better.
BOB
Bob 241, great report & pics! What length/size are the Crappies you’re catching? Back in MD, I rarely caught any over 10", and most were smaller. Occasionally would catch one 12", but that wasn’t common, at least not where I fished. There were places around the state that folks caught decent size Crappies, but usually only in the spring when they moved shallow to spawn.
I’ve read they can get some good size here. Your pics don’t really give a good indication of the size, so that’s why I’m asking!
BTW, I’ve been fishing for about 50 years, but being new to the area, I’ve got a lot to learn! 
Thanks!
This help?
BOB
Thanks, yes, that helps! Very nice size!
Pinopolis area: Trolled large crappie minnows from 3 ft. to 15 ft. Crappie are scattered. All crappie were caught between 8 and 11 ft. Kept four large females (1.75 to 2 lbs). Females still have eggs. I would guess that the shallow action will pick up in the next week.
2013 Ranger Z21 Intracoastal 250 hp Yamaha VMAX SHO