Catching pre-spawn slabs

Huge, roe-filled crappie are on predictable pattern

Crappie fishing ranks high on the list of “must-do” fishing throughout the Carolinas during March because the pre-spawn fishing scenario congregates slabs into areas and depths where anglers can readily target them.

During March the huge, roe-laden sows are fully invested in their spawning migration. They’re quite predictable, and more available in big numbers, compared to many other months.

But depending on the water being fished, variables determine how, when and where fishermen make their crappie connection.

Spider-rigging, brush pile fishing, longline trolling and nocturnal fishing are four favored tactics for taking slabs in March by North and South Carolina slab-slayers.

Spider rigging 

A highly effective technique for migrating crappie, especially during late-February and March, is spider rigging. 

Former crappie fishing guide at Santee Cooper, Kevin Davis, said spider rigging is also referred to as ‘pushing’ where anglers employ multiple rod setups facing ahead of the boat.

“When the crappie migration begins, crappies are often found in deeper water, depending on the specific lake,” he said. “The spider rig tactic enables fishermen to fish multiple depths while working different lures or live bait. I prefer to use the spider rigging tactic around areas with depth changes, such as creek channels, humps, and ditches.”

Davis said crappies are structure-oriented fish that relate to changes in bottom topography. Brush, logs, and stumps tend to congregate crappie in specific areas. A channel ledge can be potentially good for scattered crappie. But a ledge with abundant woody cover becomes a specific target that’s highly attractive to concentrating crappie in localized areas.

Davis said spider-rigging is a vertical tightline fishing method where the angler slowly moves around the target, and the specific setup varies with the angler. Most anglers typically fish from eight to 10 poles, varying in lengths from 12 to 16 feet. Davis prefers to use 6-pound test line.

“It’s important to vary the depth of the rigs, especially at first, until a depth pattern is established,” he said. “Work some near the bottom, but don’t ignore any part of the water column. Crappie often suspend during the spawning migration. Electronics can help identify what depth fish are holding, and anglers can target those depths as a starting point.”

Davis said this technique enables him to cover water, while targeting different depths in the water column. He varies his lures and bait and may employ jigs, minnows, or the jig-minnow combination. He uses a weight above the lure to keep the bait at a specific depth.

“I’ll use a splitshot or egg sinker, but as light as possible, and the size is depth dependent,” he said. “It can be from 1/4 to 3/4 ounce and is placed about 18 inches above the terminal end of the rig. Some fishermen use two hooks or rigs on the same rod to check different depths.”

Davis said when he hits a hotspot, he’ll work it hard. Then when action slows, he doesn’t hesitate to move and find another productive area.

Longline Trolling 

Jeff Manning hails from Gastonia, NC and is a multi-species fisherman who enjoys fishing several lakes, but calls Lake Wylie home. Known by many as a highly successful catfish tournament angler, Manning said his passion for crappies runs deep. And targeting papermouths during March ranks high on his preferred fishing list. 

“March is an interesting situation because crappies are literally on a mission to spawn,” he said. “They’re moving from the deep-water areas of winter to shallow spawning sites. Trolling enables me to cover a lot of water quickly, with multiple lures working different depths.”

They’re moving, and on any given day can be found in areas distinctly different from the previous day, he said. They are prone to suspend in the water column and typically where he finds one, a bunch will be in the same general area. 

Manning’s basic trolling technique includes fishing multiple rigs. He uses eight if he’s alone, but 10 if he has someone fishing with him to help watch rods and fight fish. He’ll alternate jig sizes between 1/8- and 1/16-ounce. So at any speed, he’s constantly running lures at different depths, while experimenting with color patterns.

Cover water

“Setups vary with individuals, but I have two rigs directly behind the boat, about 60-feet back, rigged with 1/16-ounce jigs,” he said. “Then, two more behind on each side loaded with 1/8-ounce jigs. The remaining rigs fan out on each side of the boat at increasing angles from about 45 and 90 degrees, with each rod longer than the previous rig to ensure spacing of lures to cover more water and enhance boat control.”

This setup makes it possible to watch rods, land fish, and maneuver the boat, and to change course without crossing lines.

“Depth control is crucial. But the fish aren’t really skittish this time of year. So the rig doesn’t have to be a long distance behind the boat,” he said.

Manning makes frequent turns when trolling to check different places along the trolling route, and also for speed and depth considerations. These are always key components in crappie fishing. 

“When turning, the inside and outside rigs of my spread will be moving at different speeds and depths,” he said. “If I catch crappies on the outside rigs, I know they’re traveling faster and shallower than the other rigs. When inside rigs catch fish, I know the jigs are traveling slower and running deeper. And this is crucial, because even during the same day, the best depths and speeds can vary. So experimentation and adjustment is essential.” 

Boat speed is a key and he’ll usually start at 0.7 miles per hour, but varies his speed up and down between 0.5 and 1 mph. 

“It’s crucial to cover a lot of territory on some days, but when I determine the right pattern, the fish-catching is fast-paced,” he said. “Fishermen must adapt to weather and water changes throughout this migration process.” 

Sunken Brush 

Stacey Weatherford, from Moncks Corner, SC, loves the spider rigging tactic too, but he frequently targets brush during the pre-spawn.

“Man-made brush piles, or artificial fish attractors, as well as any natural woody cover in the deeper water areas are prime places to make a March crappie connection,” he said.

“As crappie move on their way to shallow spawning sites, they frequently cluster in big numbers around brush,” he said. “This is an ideal time to use forward facing sonar to catch a bunch of slabs quickly, but it’s not required. I believe stealth is important, so I prefer to find the brush, but stay back and use a cast and retrieve method at first.”

Using forward facing sonar, he’ll know if fish are on the brush and can watch their reaction. That speeds up the process of finding the most productive presentation technique. 

“I can cast to the target, then count it down, so I can swim a jig, minnow, or jig-minnow combo, over the top of the brush. If crappies are on an active bite, that’s all it’ll take. 

“If they’re on the brush but the action slows on this tactic, I’ll slip in quietly and tightline over, and around the sides of the brush, using a long pole to stay a reasonable distance away,” he said. “Essentially, I work the edges. If I get into the brush and snag, it may spook the fish. But when that happens, I’ll leave, then return later and usually find active fish.”

Weatherford prefers light line, usually 4-pound test on a light rig with a sensitive tip.

“The bite of a crappie in March can be quite subtle. So using quality tackle makes a difference,” he said. “But this is a slab-catching time of year, and fishing brush is an important part of the pre-spawn fishing process.”

It’s time for great pre-spawn crappie-catching action. And by using any, or all these techniques, anglers can catch a limit of slabs. 

Go green for night fishing

Pete Jordan from Wake Forest, NC said March is an excellent time to fish at night under the lights. Instead of going to the slabs, he said anglers can lure the slabs to their area with the proper light setup.

“Crappies are attracted to lights at night, and during the pre-spawn period they’re on the move, so location is crucial,” he said. 

Jordan said he wants to be anchored and rigged prior to dark. It’s important to know that while location is key, he doesn’t have to literally find and anchor over a bunch of fish. 

“But fishermen must consider the timing on the spawning migration, and select an area where the fish will be at that time, because it changes as the month progresses,” he said. “The ledge of a creek channel along the spawning route is ideal. Many pre-spawn crappie anglers do well fishing around bridges and bridge pilings at night, because fish are funneled in a smaller area. But it’s the light that attracts the crappie to the fisherman’s specific location.”

Jordan (www.ultimategreenlights.com) uses the green LED lights that he has designed and sells. He said the 12-volt lights produce brilliant green light that attracts the microorganisms.

“The lights attract organisms that shad and forage species eat. And the crappies investigate the light, and then feast on the forage,” he said. “I prefer live minnows, or small jigs, to catch crappie,” he said. 

Night fishing under the green lights can be fast-paced, and limits can occur quickly with the right setup.