Page 4 - Crappie NOW | June 2015

On the Edge of Success

E dges are great for

catching crappie. It’s no secret
that the fish are edge oriented.
An edge can be a dock, sun-
shade edge, a line of trees or
an underwater ledge. Edges are
an important part of forming a
pattern.

Current Edge
Try standing for a while in
a 30 mile-per-hour wind. You’ll
eventually take refuge. The same
it true for a crappie in current. It
will move tight behind cover or
leave the area for a calmer place
with less current.
Where’s the refuge in a river
with current flowing? Behind a
dam it could be a wing wall or
wind dam. Further down river it
can be a backout, big cut in the
bank, or an area protected with
cover. A big laydown is a good
example of a cover break.
A key spot to look for is a
long mud or sand bar. On the
end and backside of the bar
will be current breaks. Reverse
current, eddies and still water are
common. Where you find these
you’ll also find the crappie. Find
wood cover in the slack water
and you’ll likely find a gold mine Josh Lantz caught crappies while trolling crankbaits
of crappie. at two specific edges: (1) along a deep ledge: and (2)
If you are in current let it
along the outside edge of a tree line.

work in your favor. For example, Note that current doesn’t just happen
current probably means you fish
the backside of stumps or trees and not when the dam gates are open or there
waste time putting your jig in the current. are heavy rains. Wind causes current
especially when fishing shallower cover.

4 Crappie NOW June 2015