If you’re like the author, you will likely be shocked by the amount of bait that
can be attracted by your underwater lights while night fishing. And in most
cases, game fish, including crappie, will quickly be attracted to that bait.
Crappie Basics: Beat the Heat and Bring the Bite
by Richard Simms, CrappieNOW Editor
Let’s be honest — this might be the most repeated summer crappie tip ever shared in CrappieNOW or anywhere else. But some advice is worth repeating, time and time again.
When those sweltering August temps hit the 90s and beyond — especially across the South — it might be time to switch things up and go crappie fishing after dark.
Yes, we’re talking about night fishing under the lights. It’s an old-school method that’s making a strong comeback, and for good reason.
The concept is simple but effective: drop underwater lights in the water, and the magic starts. The glow draws in plankton, which attracts minnows, and soon enough, hungry crappie show up looking for an easy meal. It’s one of the few fishing techniques where the fish come to you, not the other way around.
You can buy a set of three good lights for less than $70. The first time I used them, I dropped them in the water just before sunset. Within 30 minutes, my Humminbird sonar screen was nearly blacked out by clouds of baitfish. And sure enough, the crappie weren’t far behind.
In less than two hours, I had burned through four dozen tuffie minnows, culling smaller fish to round out a solid 15-crappie limit. While not every night will be that hot, odds are you won’t get skunked — and you’ll skip the brutal daytime heat.
Want to learn more about how to fish after dark? Follow this CrappieNOW link for an in-depth look at night fishing for crappie.
From Sale Creek, Tenn., CrappieNOW Editor Richard Simms is the owner of Scenic City Fishing Charters, Inc. He began his outdoor career as a Tennessee game warden later choosing journalism (and guiding) as his chosen profession. Check out his Facebook Page or you can contact him at Richard@ScenicCityFishing.com
