Page 4 - Crappie NOW - June 2019

by Ron Stallings

ishing from the bank is very productive as it approaches the bank you are standing
for most species of fish. If you want to on. It’ll shorten your cast as well. If it blows
Ftarget crappie from the bank, use these into your back your float rig will stay in the
techniques for the best success. same spot. Look for wind that flows across
the lake left to right or right to left. This allows
1. Selecting a lake—The lake you choose your float rig to drift and cover more water
will have several factors to consider. just like a trolling motor would in a boat. If
the wind is blowing left to right, cast slightly
a. Slope of bank— the slope of the bank to the left and let the wind drift the rig to
will most likely show how the bottom of the the right. Do the same for right to left. If that
lake will drop off from the shore to where tree is in the water, let the wind drift the rig
you cast. A deeper slope will determine how towards the tree.
you set up a float with a minnow or what
weight lure you will use. e. Sunlight and shade— Try to pick a spot
that has both sun and shade on the water.
The best way to find out is to cast a ¼ This gives you the option to find fish in their
ounce weight as far as you can. Once it hits desired habitat at the time. This will all be
the water, count the seconds it takes to hit based on weather, water depth and water
the bottom. The rule of thumb is one second temperature.
for each foot of depth. Example, 10 second
drop approximately 10 feet deep. Once you f. Shadows and sounds— When you
have the depth, now you can set up your rig arrive at your lake, do not slam doors on
to accommodate the depth. your vehicle. That sound travels down the
bank and into the water spooking fish that
b. Structure— Look around the spot you are within reach. As you walk towards the
choose. Are there trees in the water that are bank move around the bank, keep your
still on the bank? Fish tend to stay around shadow off of the water. Shadows spook
this type of structure. The portion of the tree fish because predators like birds and other
that is out of the water will heat up faster. wildlife that eat fish throw shadows before
This means the heat radiates down the tree diving after them.
into the water warming it faster. Fish will get
closer to this structure especially during real When choosing your lake and spot to
cold weather. A great place to start early in fish, take these factors into consideration
the morning as the sun is coming up. and you’ll be successful.

c. Grass and other vegetation— The 2. Choosing techniques for crappie from
same applies here as it does with trees. the bank—with so many techniques available
Anything that is exposed to the sun or warm choose them to fit your circumstances and
air, will heat beneath the surface. This is don’t be afraid to change.
another place to start early in the morning.
a. One of the most successful techniques
d. Wind— Which way is the wind is “floating and casting” This involves one
blowing? If it blows in your face, you stand rod set up with the traditional float, sinker
the chance of a float rig getting too shallow and hook. Tip the hook with a minnow and

4 Crappie NOW June 2019