Page 4 - Crappie NOW - October 2018
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Fall Ledges
Ledges are structures that can work
year round. They can be creeks, rivers or
ditches and smaller creeks running into
bigger ones. Ledges are the focus point
but natural covers, manmade covers and
associated flats are all part of the system.
Why
Fish follow the ledges in and out of
different depths of water. In the fall they
will move back and forth into shallow water
chasing shad. Cool nights, shorter daylight
times and cooling water determines when
and where the baitfish and crappie will be.
Strategy
Fish follow shad in the fall so water
temperatures should determine whether
a fisherman starts shallow, deep or
somewhere in between. As the water cools,
the fish move shallower. The shad follow
the ledges, too, so they determine specific
crappie locations. The only exception to
ledge domination is when the shad move
up on the flats and crappie follow. These
are usually up in creeks or coves.
CrappieNow Publisher and
tournament fisherman, Dan Dannenmueller
says, “Feeder creeks are a good place to Dan Dannenmueller with a nice crappie
start in the fall. There will be ledges and caught on plastic tipped with a minnow. He
flats. Search the ledges and look for wood, says changing up sizes, colors and sometimes
intersections and forks. When they are adding flash, can lead to more fish.
combined with shad, it will be a great spot.
“Electronics is a key component of fall
fishing. It will show shad, crappie, ledges what depth.
and cover. Any good unit will show the “Big fish don’t have to move too far.
primary things you need to see. If you have They can live their whole life in a creek
and know how to use advanced electronics, or river. They may adjust their depths for
it speeds that search up. It’s easy to find a the conditions and food, but will stay in the
ledge, find a brushpile on that ledge, then general area. When they are hungry they
interpret what is on the brushpile and at eat and fall is one period when I believe
they feed more often to fatten up for winter.”
4 Crappie NOW October 2018