Fall is the time when most Outdoorsmen think about hunting. However, for many of us Fall is the time when we want to get out on the Lake and go Crappie fishing. Fall can be an excellent time to fill the freezer with Crappie.
As the water cools off in the Fall, hungry Crappie move from their deep water Summer hangouts to the cooler water of the shallows as they follow baitfish toward the shore. It's not uncommon to find Fall Crappie as shallow as 1 or 2 feet deep along a bank in the Fall. Once the first few cold fronts of the year move in, start looking for Fall Crappie near the first drop off away from the bank.
Fall Crappie can be very aggressive. You may have to experiment, but I like to find Crappie using jigs using either the Spider rigs or floating with corks. As I drift along the drop off, I'll put the corks at different depths until I find the Crappie.
Any seasoned Fall fisherman knows that the best time to be out on the Lake is just prior to a major cold front hitting your area. This is the time you'll be happy to be out on the lake chasing Crappie. These are the times that Crappie fishing can be better than the Spring spawning season. Whatever you do, try and not miss a chance to chase Crappie just before a Major front hits your home lake.
After Fall cold fronts pass, look for the Crappie back in their deep water hangouts. Sometimes even as far back as an old river channel in the Lake. Post cold front Crappie will likely be less aggressive. Use smaller jigs and minnows to entice them to bite.
If you're having trouble finding Fall Crappie after a cold front. Slow down your presentation and use smaller jigs or minnows. Post cold front Crappie won't chase bait very far, so make sure you put it right in front of their face. If you find them holding over a break or drop off, use a tightline approach to target feeding Crappie.
Look for Crappie along South facing shorelines after a Fall cold front. South shorelines heat up faster, thus attracting baitfish. Where's there's baitfish, hungry Crappie won't be far behind. Don't be afraid to fish right up against the bank, especially if there is a South wind blowing baitfish up on the bank.
South winds can blow baitfish against the shore, presenting easy pickings for hungry Crappie. Use a Spider Rig or a Float and Jig rig to target these fish and fill your live well! Floats and jigs can be fished faster than minnows, plus since there is not rebaiting, you can keep your jigs in the water longer, catching more fish.