February and March Crappie Tactics

Posted On February 21, 2012

  Crappie in the southeast much like most of North America, are active all year round, but there is something about early spring that will compromise the appetite of these amazing fish. The warming of the early spring water temperatures triggers a feeding binge in crappie as their metabolism begins to speed up as the approaching spawn is near.    


 Crappie will spawn once the water temperature reaches a temperature above fifty degrees and on through the lower sixties. As the temperature for spawning approaches and the water reaches the upper forties to lower fifties, they crappie move to shallow water and will begin to feed belligerently. Crappie move into cover such as laydown trees and coves during the pre-spawn. Catching small fish in shallow water is a good indication to move to slightly deeper water near a drop-off to find the larger fish feeding.    






 The pre-spawn period of late winter and early spring can be the best fishing of the year. Crappies relate predominately to structure and anglers that focus on areas with noticeable cover often do well. Look for fish attractant areas, submerged trees, old brush piles, tires, and other structure or objects to locate bigger crappie.   


  Vertical jigging a tube jig is a great way to fish submerged cover. Once you identify the target depth at the crappie are holding, try suspending a jig beneath a small slip bobber to keep the bait at a consistent depth.
 
 According to my friend Joey Monteleone (pictured here), the crappies are biting well in Tennessee on tube jigs. He filled a stringer with crappie last weekend with tube jigs on four pound test line and light tackle. What a great way to spend the longer warmer days of late February and March.

Happy Fishing!

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About

Mark Bilbrey
Mark Bilbrey
Crossville, TN
Joined July 6, 2010

Growing up on Dale Hollow Lake, in Tennessee, fishing with his family in the shadow of legendary bass angler, the late Billy Westmorland, gave young Mark Bilbrey a solid foundation in the sport of fishing. Mark became an Eagle Scout through conservation projects on Dale Hollow lake and other area parks. He received a skipper certification through the USCG at the age of eighteen navigating and fishing Dale Hollow Lake. Now, after many years as a businessman, Bilbrey has completed professional fishing guide training at Foley/Belsaw in preparation for a future in the industry. A registered Master Angler in Tennessee, and an Ambassador to the World Fishing Network he shares his tips, techniques and stories in hopes to help teach new anglers how to locate and catch fish. His articles have been featured on the web sites of the North American Fishing Club, Monticello Big Bass, and Catfishing Journals. Mark was recently on ESPN Radio's "Set the Hook!" with Pat Rose talking about, what else? Fishing!. Bilbrey holds memberships in several fishing organizations including B.A.S.S., NAFC, and FLW. His passion for sport fishing has been recognized in a promotional video on the World Fishing Network and he was recently selected as "Ambassador of the Year" by WFN. He credits his passion for fishing to his wife Donna and his childhood fishing with his father, Billy Bilbrey, his three older brothers and to his cousin Jack Huddelston, owner of Dale Hollows, Horse Creek Dock.

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