ABC - About Bass & Crappie

 

When should I go crappie fishing? 

By : Matthew Loetscher, Living The Dream Guide Service

 

When is the best time to fish for Crappie on Toledo Bend?

One of our most frequently asked questions is "When is the best time to fish for Crappie on Toledo Bend"?  The truth is that any day throughout the year can be amazing! The fish live here everyday and they must eat to survive. How aggressively they bite and how well you catch them on any given day is dictated by many different variables.

These variables include:

• Weather of recent days / weeks
• Weather of the day
  
• Moon phase
• Current flow through the reservoir

 

That being said, we believe the best way to plan your trip is to consider the anglers coming on the trip and the type of fishing that will likely be happening during a given time.

For example, if your group includes children or elderly people you may want to avoid the winter and early spring. The cooler air temperatures can make them uncomfortable at that time. However, not every day is cold during that time and sometimes schedules are tight. We understand that you need to come when you can. The key to comfort is preparation. Dress in layers with a waterproof and windproof outer layer. You can also utilize hand and toe warmers to make those in need more comfortable.

The late summer period can also be harder on the children and elderly but once again it is doable. Just dress in breathable clothing, wear large brim hats and use sunscreen. Of coarse drinking lots of cold water is a must during this time.

As for what type of fishing to expect based on seasons and water temperature...
We have created a seasonal guideline for you to help plan your trip. Keep in mind this is a generalized guideline. Sometimes its cool in May and Warm in December. So use this information to make your plans then trust your guide. We will always do our best to provide you with a fun, comfortable and successful fishing day.

Late November – Early February
Water temperatures: Generally from 60 - 45 degrees (temperatures dropping)

• During this time Crappie are usually caught using simple methods that anyone can handle. We normally fish vertically during this time which means casting is not required.
• The bite ranges from aggressive to sluggish at these water temperatures.
• Numbers of fish caught are generally 30-70 per day.
• Size of fish caught during this time is generally medium to extra large!
• This is a good time for groups up to 6 people to fish from our pontoon boats.

Late February – Early April
Water temperatures: Generally from 45 – 70 degrees

• During this time the crappie are caught using a wide variety of methods. It is very unpredictable even from one day to the next. This is because during this time fish will be going through the pre-spawn, spawn and into the post spawn phase. So they are moving a lot and the weather changes a lot during this time. The methods utilized for catching them can range from vertical dropping in deep water to casting in mid range depth or even casting at shallow water targets.
• The bite ranges from aggressive to sluggish depending on the phase the fish are in and the water temperature at that time.
• Numbers of fish caught are generally 25-60 per day
• We generally catch the largest fish that we catch all year during this time! But, overall size of fish caught ranges from medium to extra large size.
• Because the weather and the type of fishing is so unpredictable during this time it is best to bring smaller groups up to 4 people per boat. Occasionally, the guide may even recommend 2 person groups if a lot of casting is required. We do 99% of our crappie fishing from pontoon boats. However, during this time a smaller boat such as a bay boat or bass boat may be beneficial to access areas the fish are in. If you do not want to go in a smaller boat please make that clear when booking your trip. We will accommodate. The smaller boats are there to provide better catching but aren't forced upon you.

Late April – Early July
Water temperatures: Generally from 65 – 85 degrees

• During this time Crappie are usually caught using simple methods that anyone can handle. We normally fish vertically during this time which means casting is not required.
• The bite is generally very aggressive at these water temperatures and time of year.
• Numbers of fish caught are generally 40-100 per day.
• We catch fish of all sizes during this time.
• This is a good time for groups up to 6 people to fish from our pontoon boats.

Late July – September
Water temperatures: Generally from 85 – 95 degrees

• During this time Crappie are usually caught fishing vertically but we do sometimes use a short casting method to get a more aggressive bite.
• The bite ranges from very aggressive to sluggish at these water temperatures and time of year.
• Numbers of fish caught are generally 30-80 per day.
• We catch fish of all sizes during this time.
• This is a good time for groups up to 6 people to fish from our pontoon boats

October – Early November
Water temperatures: Generally from 65 – 85 degrees

• During this time Crappie are usually caught fishing vertically but we do sometimes use a short casting method to get a more aggressive bite.
• The bite ranges from very aggressive to sluggish at these water temperatures and time of year.
• Numbers of fish caught are generally 30-80 per day.
• We catch fish of all sizes during this time.
• This is a good time for groups up to 6 people to fish from our pontoon boats.

If you really want to know more about how weather affects fishing, check out this article https://fishingbooker.com/blog/how-weather-affects-fishing/.

Matthew Loetscher is a professional bass angler, he guides for crappie on Toledo Bend and for bass on several southern lakes.  You can book a trip with him at www.ltd.fish.