Crappie Trolling

[Phil S]

Anyone have any reports trolling crankbaits on the mid/south end of the lake? Been a couple weeks since I’ve been out. Would like to try and get out this week. Many thanks!

[Greg B.]

I mostly troll jigs but I see lots of guys out there trolling cranks.  I’m actually gonna troll some cranks next time out just to change things up.  I fish the southern end.  Usually from blue springs to a few miles north.  For me things have been hit or miss.  When I find the fish I can usually catch quite a few Nice crappie.  I’m finding two distinct patterns.  Crappie are either on mid lake Humps close to deep water or they are hugging bluff walls.  I generally run electronics over these areas before I put baits in the water.  Hope that helps.  

[Bassmeister]

11 hours ago, Greg B. said:

I mostly troll jigs but I see lots of guys out there trolling cranks.  I’m actually gonna troll some cranks next time out just to change things up.  I fish the southern end.  Usually from blue springs to a few miles north.  For me things have been hit or miss.  When I find the fish I can usually catch quite a few Nice crappie.  I’m finding two distinct patterns.  Crappie are either on mid lake Humps close to deep water or they are hugging bluff walls.  I generally run electronics over these areas before I put baits in the water.  Hope that helps.  

Are they typically suspended in the 12 foot range give or take? Or does their depth fluctuate quite a bit? 

[Greg B.]

I’m finding them from 8-12 feet depending on location, time of day, etc.  I’m no expert and I’m still learning but that’s what I’m finding.  On my sonar I’m mainly looking for shad.  Sometimes I catch a bunch and mostly I just catch enough for dinner.  Hope that helps 

[Phil S]

Thanks guys, I’m going to get out there at some point this week or weekend and will report back. 

[Ozark Flyer]

On 7/28/2020 at 8:17 PM, Phil S said:

Thanks guys, I’m going to get out there at some point this week or weekend and will report back. 

Headed out tomorrow.  Any reports?

[rzbker]

Now that the weather has finally broke, I'm heading out first thing and plan on going thru wednesday. It'll be interesting to see now that the lake is at 1125.63. I'm going to work a couple of coves, scan em' first and go from there. No trolling, I am a minnow/slip bobber kinda guy. 

Had to run to town today, sure saw a lot of campers coming in instead of going home. Kinda funny for a Sunday, Hmmmmm.......

I also wonder if anyone had any luck this weekend (mile 5). Keep us posted!

[Greg B.]

I went Sunday morning.  Started at 5:45 am and stopped at about 10:00 or so.  Trolled mostly cranks (bandits mostly) and a few jigs with heavy weights due to the speed.  Took a while to find crappie but I located them in a creek channel along a steep bank in about 25 fow.  Fish were about 10-14 feet down.  
 

[rzbker]

Thanks Greg. I went out this morning and didn't do a whole lot of good. Mostly scouting new areas up North Big Clifty.

I saw some good banks that you described, I'll give em a shot tomorrow.

[Phil S]

Caught them this morning trolling cranks. Fished mid lake area 7-11 am. Caught 16-17, 12 were nice keepers and a few small bass and walleye. All the fish were in 20 feet of water scattered near brush and cover. Don’t waste time in the channels, no fish there.