I chase girls

[oghfm]

instead of males when the crappie spawn begins.  Heres my logic.   Most folks bang the banks during the spawn and some coves will have 3 or more boats in them,  but its not the crowded conditions that steer me away.  Them males build the nest, then attract the girls and fertilize the eggs, stay with them till they hatch and protect them as fry up into June after they leave the nest.  Betcha didn't know that last part.  So I stay in deeper waters and chase the girls.   Expect some naturalists/biologists to chime in here and possibly shoot my position down, but thats ok, I got wide shoulders and HOPE I can take it.

[Dutch]

I agree with you.  When I fish for them during the spawn I fish from 18 to 25 feet deep.

[nomolites]

One exception from my experience: the ladies move in the last hour before dark to do their  thing during the spawn then vamoose.  The last hour of daylight fish shallow cover.  Or not, but I will be.

During the day the ladies suspend off the banks usually mid-depth(i.e. 20’ over 40 FOW) and can be had with cranks, jigs, or whatever you can fish comfortably within that zone.  Get a cooler of snacks and cold beverages and get some sun and pick them off.

Mike

[straw hat]

No argument from me oghfm. I fully agree.

[Targa98]

Totally agree with you on this one but I will chime in on it. Not at all to prove anyone wrong but just to say I've been on both sides of the water. When I had VERY Minimal electronics it was simply just much easier for me to catch fish up shallow on banks. Once I upgraded a little, then it was easier to back out some and study more.

[Smithvillesteve]

Go on out there deep and chase for the females boys!! I'll have my livewell full of those nice 10-11 inch males! Get my limit and start chasing walleyes!! Let me know how you do!!

[MrGiggles]

I prefer to keep males. Not sure if it makes a big difference, but seems to me that it would. 

Shallow fishing can be so temperamental, especially on the main lake where the water is so clear. I think they only spawn deep, or only at night around there.

Out of the past 3 springs I've been fishing Stockton, only once have I found shallow fish, up towards High Point.

Pomme is a much better bet, I usually don't have as much trouble there, even during the high water years, some of those marooned docks were dynamite.

[fishinwrench]

My dog sits and patiently waits for me to toss him the egg sacks.....so I gotta knife the females when I can get them.  

[nomolites]

1 hour ago, fishinwrench said:

My dog sits and patiently waits for me to toss him the egg sacks.....so I gotta knife the females when I can get them.  

I had a Weim that did that...I still look over my shoulder for her sometimes when cleaning crappie.  That was something she never missed.

‘Mike

[fishinwrench]

3 hours ago, nomolites said:

I had a Weim that did that...I still look over my shoulder for her sometimes when cleaning crappie.  That was something she never missed.

‘Mike

Oh yeah 🙂 I think it's good for them.   Orion gets the dark meat strips trimmed from White bass too.   I learned to cut him off after about 10 of them though.   If he has too many his farts will run everybody out of the house. 😂