Every body of water can be different but one way to catch winter crappie is to get close to the bank in 3 to 5 feet of water. Fish are slow and a little difficult to catch. They are sluggish so use something small with color in it. Maybe a 1/16-ounce jig tipped with Power Bait, go slow and give them a chance to bite.
To control our speed we use windsocks 90-percent of the time. Up to four socks when needed. Sometimes we also drag a chain. We can change the position of the boat by the way we use them. This pattern can last up into February on my home lake, Reelfoot. -Josh Chipman