Crappie & panfish fishing tips
Crappie fishing is my obsession. Here you’ll find everything I’ve learned chasing crappie and bluegill season by season — shallow spring fish, summer slabs on structure, schooled-up fall crappie in the basins and finicky fish through the ice.
Every post covers the lures, plastics and light-tackle setups I actually use, and how to find fish before you ever wet a line.
Start here · complete guideFall Crappie Fishing: The Complete GuideWhere crappie go in the fall, how to find them on sonar, and exactly what to throw — from first cool nights to ice-up.Posts
5 Proven Ice Fishing Tips to Catch More Crappie This Ice Season
Ice fishing for crappie doesn’t have to be complicated. With a little research and some dedication, even beginners can start putting fish on the ice with ease. The key? Be strategic about where you fish, how (and when) you fish, and what presentations you brin
Fall Crappie Tips: Best Baits and Tactics for Cold Water Fishing
I’m so fired up about fall crappie fishing that I’ve put together this complete fall crappie fishing guide. We’re going to dive deep into not just the best tactics for crushing it this fall, but also why nailing down these spots now sets you up for absolute su
Crappie Fishing Tricks: Light Gear for Heavy Limits
Crappie fishing has become my absolute obsession. There’s something magical about it—simple enough for beginners, exciting enough to keep you coming back, and the perfect gateway drug to turn anyone into a lifelong angler. While I dream about those legendary t
My Top Crappie Fishing Picks for Summer 2025
Summer crappie fishing is all about adapting to warm water and active fish patterns. Over the years, I’ve dialed in my go-to setups for targeting slabs, and I’m excited to share my top picks for Summer 2025. These lures and rigs, paired with the right gear, wi
Unlock the Secrets to Early Spring Crappie Fishing: Essential Tips and Gear
Early spring is the perfect time to target crappie. The water’s warming up, the fish are shallow, congregated, and hungry. Not to mention, in some states (like my home in Minnesota), game fish seasons have shut down. It’s a perfect time to pick up that crappie
5 Ways to Rig Soft Plastics For Crappie & Bluegill
Unlike live bait, soft plastics are durable, allowing you to spend less time re-baiting and more time fishing.
Spring Crappie Fishing: Gear, Locations, and Tactics for a Successful Season
Some of the best crappie fishing happens in the spring. This guide breaks down everything you need to know for more success landing slabs.
Crappie & Panfish questions I get asked
What rod and line should I use for crappie?
I use a light power, fast action panfish rod, and my go-to is the St. Croix Panfish Series. I don't go above 4 lb line for panfish plastics. The lighter the bait, the lighter the rod.
Where do crappie go in the fall?
In spring I find crappie shallow and in summer they're often buried in the weeds. In fall they start stacking up in deeper water. Early fall is about transition areas, meaning weedy flats that drop quickly into deep water. Later in fall I move out to bowls and basins and often find them suspended in 30+ feet. Here's my full fall crappie guide.
What's the best jig for ice crappie?
My favorite slow-falling jig is the Crappie Pro Mo Glo Jig. It caught our 15 and 16 inch crappie last trip. My favorite tungsten is the Lindy Tungsten Toad because its wide-gap hook gets better hookups. Fish your jig so it lays horizontal, and stay patient on the slow raise. Both are at Lurenet with code NICOLE15.
What's a good summer crappie lure?
The Bobby Garland Head Turn'r has been one of my favorites for summer crappie. Pair it with a light rod and light line so the plastic moves naturally. Code NICOLE15 works at Lurenet.
