Crappie at Night

[line wetter]

Anybody doing any good night fishing for crappie? Seems like you can catch a couple then it dies out.

Also does anyone else have trouble catching crappie at night when there is a full moon?

[JCreek]

Bump.

I'd like to learn more about nighttime crappie also.  Bought the underwater light and the

wife loves to watch the bait fish swirl around it.  That's about all we've gotten out  of it.

What's the secret?

[olfishead]

Go on summer dark nights. Fish over deep water, (I like fishing in standing timber , tie to a snag.) Minnows seem to always produce the best. You will have to experiment with different depths, usually on Stockton between 15 and 20. One of the best ways to do that is let down deep and reel up very slowly.

[JCreek]

Ok.  Thanks.  Found the old minner bucket so may give it a try.

We went out couple nights ago and had very little luck, but when the sun went down and the bugs

subsided, it was bloody wonderful out there!

[olfishead]

Used to love fishing at night in summertime for crappie and bass. But, now that I'm an old fart, I like to be asleep after dark! I always iced the fish down and cleaned them the next day, cold fish fillet easier.  Good luck!

[MickinMO]

Always did best tied up to a tree at mouth of coves.  Big Sac arm south of twin bridges. Minnows

[JCreek]

Took the wife out Wed evening.  Night actually by the time we put in.  She forgot the boat key....  Had to go back for it....

Had a spot in mind.  Taken.  Went on in and found a spot but not as deep as would have liked at a little over 20 ft.  Threw the green light in and tossed crawlers at cats for an hour or so with no takers.

I've been night fishing before.  Spent sundown to sunup out there once.  Something about this night was different.  I stumbled all over the place.  Need a bigger boat with a larger payment.  Almost fell in twice.  Once stumbled over the wife as she sat on the port gunnel of the back platform.  116 pound lady kept this old 200 pound man from going in the drink.  Nice bruise on her back from my elbow.

At any rate.  Nice big active minnows from the 66 station in Stockton netted us 5 really nice white bass.😀  Had one crappie at somewhere proud of 13 inches.  She was full of eggs.  I'll let you biology types explain that one.  I though it a little late in the year myself, but I'm only an expert on non fishing matters.

We both lost several whites.  I had one in the boat that was easily the largest one I ever caught.  He was hooked in the lip and as I went for his lip, he flipped - broke the line, skipped off the gunnel and was gone.  I lost 2 or 3 more at least.  Wife lost 2 or 3 also.  6 LB Stren.  Used that on my ultra light gear for 40 years or more.  Guess they improved it and I'll look for something else.  I've tried smaller braided and found it too hard to tie especially in the wind.  Cleaned the last fish at 0300.

I've joked about white bass, but we ate them.  Compared to that frozen crap from China they were delightful!

[MickinMO]

  On 6/20/2020 at 2:39 PM, JCreek said:

 

I've joked about white bass, but we ate them.  Compared to that frozen crap from China they were delightful!

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Nothing wrong with white bass. Just have to get the red/brown stuff cut out of the fillets and I let them soak overnight in a brine before freezing or cooking them