Crappies can be challenging to find given their nomadic nature, but advancements in fish finder technology have made finding fish much faster and easier (product listing below). Wired2Fish’s Ryan DeChaine and contributor Dan Quinn demonstrate how to locate cold water crappies spread across featureless natural lake basins using a combination of side and MEGA 360 Imaging.
Once fish are located, they take to the bow for a lesson in making spot-on-the-spot casts to an isolated tree using upsized baits to target the biggest crappies. Lipless crankbaits and jigs with curly tail grubs get the job done. DeChaine expands with an in-depth walk-through on some additional top-performing baits for fall and winter crappies in Northern-Tier states.
FEATURED TACKLE
DAN’S SETUP
- Rapala Slab Rap, Pink Clown (2″ SLR05)
- 13 Fishing Defy Silver Fishing Rod, 6’6″ Light Fast (DEFSS66L)
- 13 Fishing Source X Spinning Reel, SORX2000
- Sufix 832 Advanced Superline, 6lb Lo-Vis Green
- Rapala Red, White & Blue Trucker Cap
RYAN’S SETUP
- VMC Curl Tail Spinnerbait, color: Black Chartreuse Glow, 1/8-ounce (inline spinner removed)
- VMC Curl Tail Jig, color: Black Chartreuse Glow
- VMC Boot Tail Spinnerbait
- Rapala Ultra Light Rippin’ Rap, Pink Tiger UV (1-1/2″ ULRPR04)
- VMC Rolling Swivel, size 1
- 13 Fishing Defy Silver Fishing Rod, 6’6″ Light Fast (DEFSS66L)
- 13 Fishing Source X Spinning Reel, SORX2000
- Sufix NanoBraid, 6lb Aqua Camo
OTHER TOP BAITS FOR FALL CRAPPIES
- Rapala Jigging Rap
- VMC Tungsten Probe Jig, color: Pink Chartreuse Glow
- VMC Rattle Spoon
- 13 Fishing Omen Black 3 Spinning Rod, 6′ 10″ MedLight
- 13 Fishing Prototype X Spinning Reel
- Sufix NanoBaid, 6lb Aqua Camo
- Flambeau Zerust Max Waterproof Tuff Tainer, 3012
FISH FINDERS / ELECTRONICS
- Humminbird MEGA 360 Imaging @ Tackle Warehouse | @ The Bass Tank
- Humminbird SOLIX 10 CHIRP MEGA SI+ G3 (bow stack) @ Tackle Warehouse | @ The Bass Tank
- Humminbird SOLIX 12 CHIRP MEGA SI+ G3 (bow stack) @ Tackle Warehouse | @ The Bass Tank
- Humminbird SOLIX 15 CHIRP MEGA SI+ G3 (console) @ Tackle Warehouse | @ The Bass Tank
- Minn Kota Ultrex Trolling Motor @ Tackle Warehouse | @ The Bass Tank
BOAT & EQUIPMENT
- Lund Boats 2075 Pro-V Bass XS (extra seating)
- Mercury 250hp Pro XS FourStroke
- Minn Kota Raptor Shallow Water Anchor, 8 ft with Active Anchoring @ Tackle Warehouse | @ The Bass Tank
