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Crappie Fishing Basics

Black and White Crappies have populated throughout the United States and Southern Canada largely do to major stocking efforts that started back in the late 1800’s. These fish can know be found there is a freshwater lake river or stream.if you are a beginning fisherman, this species of fish is ideal to target because of the in expense of fishing equipment you will need and of course the abundance of this fish at so many local locations. If you have young children who are interested in trying the sport of fishing than taking them crappie fishing would be the best way to perk their interest.
The crappie’s numbers are abundant and the action is good. To start fishing for crappie is really inexpensive. Basically all you need is a cane pole 10ft plus in length, with a line hook and a bobber. All these items can be purchased for under 25$ . Now you can spend a lot more and you will if you really get interested in the sport, but if you just want to try crappie fishing the cane pole option is the way to go.
No mater if you spend just 25$ or if you go out and buy a more elaborate fishing outfit you still need to know some basic facts about the crappie species of fish to catch them. I would suggest you do just little research on the crappie species so you have an idea of where they are typically located and to find out when the best time to catch them. I would suggest while you are getting your crappies live bait at the local bait shop that you ask a few questions as to where the fish are biting.
Get on the internet and do some simple crappie anatomy research , for example you probably did not know that the crappies eyes can not move in a position to look downward, so therefore if you bait is below them they will never see it. Also you need to know there are two types of these fish. The two species of crappie are the black (Pomoxis nigromaculatus) and the white (Pomoxis annularis). Both these fish are found only in North America, and they belong to the sunfish family (Centrarchidae).The sunfish family also includes such fish as the largemouth bass, bluegills, and other warm water game fish. No need to worry to make special preparations to catch either the black or the white, the same crappie fishing basics will work well on either of them. To identify either of these fish here’s a few tips Black crappie tend to be a shade darker then their sister white crappie. And they have a irregular pattern of spots on their bodies. The lighter colored white crappie will have a distinct vertical pattern of spots on their bodies. Here’s another way of identifying the two crappies. Count the number of splines on the dorsal fin. If the count is between 7 and 8 the fish is a black crappie, if the count is between 5 and 6 then you have a white crappie. The blacks really like colder water so they do better in the northern parts of the hemisphere as well as fast moving streams and rivers.The whites seem to like large lakes and slow moving rivers like in the south. Both these fish can be found any where in the lower 48 states and many time are found living together and yes they do cross breed.
The crappie’s size will depend totally on it’s local environment, and there size will cycle over time, but on the average you can expect to catch fish from 1/2l to 1lb each. In most local fishing locations you can catch fish into the 2lb range if you stick to good crappie fishing basics. {A record white crappie was caught in Enid Lake Mississippi and weighed in at 5lb 2onces. The largest white crappie on record was caught in Enid Lake Mississippi, and was recorded to be 5lb and 2 ounces.} There is a tie for the record black crappie, a 4lb 8once black was caught at both Kerr Lake Virginia and Otoe Lake Nebraska.
Crappies feed on small fish, like your typical crappie fishing minnow and small aquatic insects and tiny crustaceans. before the crappie reaches adulthood they will feed primarily on small crustaceans and insects , while after they reach adulthood there diet will change to larger small fish like minnows. There have been some biology studies that support the fact that black adult crappie tend to eat more insects in the spring and crappie minnows throughout other seasons of the year.
Well that concluded my article on crappie fishing basics, Just have fun and relax, that what fishing is all about! Good Luck On your next outing!
Mark Fleagle is an Expert Author At Ezinearticles.com. and has over 30 years of fishing experience who has written 100's of useful fishing articles. Would you like to max out your catch on your next fishing trip? Blow your fishing buddies out of the water and get your bragging rights today! Also don't forget to get your free copy of "78 Fishing Discoveries Unleashed" saltwater freshwater|fishing information
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