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FAST OR SLOW? HOW TO CATCH CRAPPIE DURING FALL COLD FRONTS

Presentation and speed are key factors for fall crappie fishing success. Focus your approach on these key factors no matter where you fish.

Crappie anglers love fall for a reason: It’s the best time of year to be fishing. Cooling temperatures and more predictable rainfall allow for longer windows of active and aggressive crappie, leading to higher catch rates and larger fish.

However, this fantastic action can change dramatically when the battle between fall and winter weather begins.

Fall cold fronts offer opportunity, but also challenges to be conquered. Here’s a few things to look for to stay on a good bite no matter the fall conditions.

Falling Water Temperatures - Slow

cold weather crappiecold weather crappie

Nothing beats the first fall cold front after a long, hot summer, but with it comes challenges to crappie fishing. Crappie have spent the last month becoming more active with slow and steady water cooling.

However, the quicker cool-down that occurs during the first major cold front can significantly alter the bite. Fish will seek to acclimate to water temperature changes of several degrees in a very short amount of time.

The positive thing here is that water temps are dropping rapidly into prime water conditions for active crappie. Crappie are already transitioning, which means they will still be easy to locate.

The key factor for continuing to catch crappie during these conditions is to bring your presentation to a standstill. A vertical approach is going to produce the bites.

Those using forward-facing sonar should also look to downsize to a smaller profile with the ability to put the jig closer to individual fish. The 1.25” Itty Bit Slab Slay’R, 1.25” Itty Bit Swim’R and NEW 1.25” Itty Bit Mayfly were designed for these exact conditions.

If fishing in less than 15 feet of water, a 1/16-ounce jighead is ideal. In water deeper than 15 feet, pegging weight to the line a foot above the jig will allow for accurate placement and better jig control.

Subtle tail action jigs are best in cold front conditions. The 2” Original Baby Shad, 2” Slab Slay’R and 1.75” Live Roam’R were designed to be most effective when presented vertically with a still “dead-stick” presentation.

Whether fishing from a boat or dock, holding the bait still with slow occasional rod lifts will result in the most bites. These jigs have enough action to attract nearby crappie but are subtle enough to elicit a strike without need to move the bait.

If fishing without electronics, simply drop to the bottom and slowly reel up a foot or so. Pause for several seconds, holding the jig in place. Repeat this process until the jig has been fully retrieved. Try in different locations and look for active bite depths to save time on future drops.

Stable or Rising Water Temperatures – Fast

fall crappie on Slab Slay'Rfall crappie on Slab Slay'R

Once water temperatures begin to stabilize in consistent daily ranges or incrementally increase, it’s a safe bet that crappie will be willing to chase a bait again. The first major cold front of the year brings water across the country into the primetime fall feeding frenzy.

This is the magical time when crappie anglers have every technique and presentation at their disposal.

It’s a fun time of year to troll or cast heavier tail action jigs like the 2.5” Stroll’R, 2.25” Slab Hunt’R, 2” Swimming Minnow and 2” Hyper Grub. The NEW Head Turn’R jighead is an excellent pairing for these jigs. 1/4-, 1/8-, 1/16-ounce jigheads in a wide range of styles work well.

Vertical presentations only get better during these conditions. A wide range of jig sizes and shapes are effective. Drop or cast the jig and allow it to fall to the bottom or your desired depth then slowly retrieve the jig. Alternate between slow and moderate retrieves to determine optimal speed.

These conditions allow for advantageous bank and dock opportunities. Casting, bobber and vertical presentations are all effective. It’s the best window to catch a good mess of fish near shore until the next year’s spawn.

Location

late fall crappie late fall crappie

Crappie are on the move come fall. Creek and main lake channels are your best routes to locating schools and roaming fish.

Trolling is highly effective along channel ledges and protected flats off channel swings during the fall. There are more crappie suspended in open water at this time of year.

It’s the best time of year for those using forward-facing sonar to find quantity and quality in high abundance. It’s the ideal time to practice boat control in coordination with sonar when looking to approach individual fish.

Docks with good depth change or near the channel are also prime spots to locate consistent crappie during the fall.

As we get later into fall, crappie will begin to congregate in larger schools near deeper water, making channel confluences, channel swings and dams hotspot locations.