This is a common sight when fishing under the lights on most reservoirs. It is a pretty sure bet there are, or soon will be, crappie lurking beneath such massive schools of bait fish.
Leave the Light on for Crappie
by Richard Simms
This might be the most over-used summer “tip” ever published in CrappieNOW, or any crappie fishing publication in history. But it is worth saying over, and over and over.
When those August temperatures climb into the mid-90’s, especially in the South, you should probably consider night fishing under the lights.
It is a once-common, old time technique that seems to be enjoying a resurgence.
It is a very simple premise. Underwater lights attract plankton that concentrates beneath the lights. That attracts small minnows which in turn attract bigger fish – specifically crappie and other game species. It is one of the rare techniques when fishermen can actually get fish to come to you rather than you going to them.
Three of these lights cost about $60. The first time I hung them over the side of the boat at sunset, my depth finder blacked out within 30 minutes as bait fish swarmed beneath me. In short order, the crappie followed.
My four dozen tuffie minnows were gone within two hours and I had been culling smaller crappie to fill out my 15-fish limit. Not every trip will go that well, but it is good bet you won’t get skunked, and avoid the summer sun in the process.
Follow this CrappieNOW link for much more about night fishing for crappie.
