Cold Water Crappie Techniques

Crappie is one of American's most sought after panfish. These fish are fun to catch and tasty. This article explains proven tactics that will catch cold water crappie.

When crappie fishing cold water temps in the mid 40's to mid 50's look for structure next to deep water. It's no secret that crappie like wood. Locate wood structure adjacent to 20-30 foot deep water. These panfish will move from the deep water into the structure to feed. Standing timber in 5-10 feet of water next to deep water is ideal. Under water brush piles are also hot spots.

Once the structure has been found its time to select the correct technique. Search for crappie first until a school is found by using a 1/32 or 1/16 ounce jighead with a Freaky Franks Freaky worm. Add a spray of Freaky Frank's crappie sauce to entice the finicky feeders. Cast the worm next to wood structure and jig the freaky worm in by twitching the rod tip, then allow the bait to fall. During the fall is generally when the thump is felt. Continue to move until 3 or more crappie have been caught in one location.

Once several crappie have been caught and a school is located, employ a different tactic. Freaky Frank's signature controlled depth fishing method is our go to method. This method consist of a 1 inch weighted cigar float with a freaky worm on a 1/32 ounce jighead about 5-8 foot leader under bobber. Cast the float next to wood and allow the bait to settle. Once the float tips up then the jighead is at the bottom of the leader. Next, slowly twitch the float raising the rod tip to move the float. Crappie are ambush feeders (they attack from below their prey) which makes controlled depth fishing irresistible to these finicky feeders. Controlled depth fishing allows fisherman to move the bait slow and trigger their aggression by staying in the strike zone longer. Crappie just can't resist the freaky worm combined with controlled depth fishing.

Locate the crappie by searching for wood structure next to deep water, while employing cast and retrieve method freaky worm. Once a school has been located fish really slow by using controlled depth fishing. These methods are guaranteed to work. Change the way you fish and put more crappie in the boat with Freaky Frank's.