What is better then after a long winter and when the first ice comes off the lake then being outdoors fishing for crappie? Well in my mind nothing. How to catch fish crappies in the sping. What are the basics? First is fish location. After first ice the crappies will go into the shallows to feed.
Look for shallow bays with a marshy shoreline.These bays particulary pn the north side of the lake will warm first. Fish the warmer days when temps in my country (Minnesota)reach into th 70’s as oppose to 40-50 for highs. Simply the fish will be more active on these warmer days. What to use. I would recommend a small jig 1/32 or 1/64 oz jig (i prefer green or yellow). Put a minnow or a 1″ gulp alive minnow bait. Put a bobber about 2-3 feet above the jig. From a boat cast into the shallows . I like a slow pause and stop retrieve. Keep moving until you find active fish. If the shallows are not producing. Move out and try depths from 6-12 feet. Using your depth finder I like drifting with the wind. Set your bait deeper. Use the same boober and jig. In 6-7 feet of water. Set your depth to about 4 feet. When fishing 9-12 feet Seet your boober depth to about 7-8 feet. Another tip on how to catch crappie in the spring is to watch your depth finder. Watch for pods a of fish. Look for christams tree type formations (which are crappies). When you find one . Throw out a marker bouy. Then fish the spot. I cannot emphisize enough the markering with marker bouy. The marker bouy will allow you to have a point of reference when you catch a fish. You go keep fishing that same specific area. Try above method to help you catch more fish.