When it comes to live bait fishing for crappie, most of the time the options are severely limited to only the commercially available minnows found at the local bait shop. Late summer crappie can be finicky at times when it comes to feeding. Although their metabolisms are high from elevated water temperatures, many times the fish can be sluggish due to the heat, and oftentimes show a preference for natural baits over store-bought baits.
With many fish species spawning between the months of May through July, crappie will often key in on young-of-the-year fry to feed on. The menu list can include shad, goldeye, drum, quillback, smallmouth buffalo, silver carp, bighead carp, grass carp and common carp.
Natural baits, especially fry, are most often found in and around the backs of creeks and any location such as culverts or drainages where moving water enters the lake. Obtaining this bait is easy and inexpensive, requiring only a cast net and a container to hold the bait you catch.
Editor’s note: This article is part of the Cool Zones feature in the September issue of Mississippi Sportsman. Digital editions can be downloaded right to your computer or smartphone.
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