It’s a hot mid-July afternoon and I’m scheduled to go crappie fishing on a North Central Minnesota lake.

A great walleye fishing lake which also has a good population of nice crappies – which are easy peasy to catch all Spring, – as they are for most anglers. But once summer rolls around, most anglers can have problems finding crappies until Fall or even first ice. Over the years, I have developed a consistent, easy way to learn pattern to bag crappies almost anywhere during the hot summer months – especially in weedy shallow water.

Crappies are very versatile fish in adapting to their environments. They love to hang suspended all summer long over open water near deep humps or mid lake points, just outside from the weed lines or hanging over the bottom basin transition zone, maybe swimming like schools of salmon chasing plankton clouds over mid-lake mud flats – all of which need to be located with electronics. These are areas are very productive for an avid angler with a slip bobber arsenal or the proficient jig/plastic fisherman (no live bait needed). I love the challenge of catching these fish, but the learning curve can be daunting and time consuming for a not so experienced angler – in other words not a good idea on a half day guide trip. So shallow weed flat crappie here we come!

It’s really crazy how many crappies never leave the shallow weedy flats throughout Spring, Summer, Fall, or Winter (this last winter I caught almost all my crappies in water less than 10 ft.—all winter long). And why would they leave the weeds? Shade, cooler water temps, oxygen rich, full of food (young of the year baby fish/minnows), and shelter from predators that feast on crappies – like northern pike. These fish are also some of the biggest crappies in the lake. I key on weed beds made up of primarily cabbage weed. If there are other weeds mixed in, no big deal, might even be better. I do tend to stay away from weed beds made up of 100% coontail – there are fish in those beds, they are just not as lure friendly. 

What kind of lure?

Here are the three hard baits I “tear and pop” through the weeds – Jigging Rapalas (#5) the Northland Puppet Minnow Darter Jig 1/8 oz. and the Bill Lewis Tiny Trap 1/8.oz (small sizes and natural colors to match the food sources). All of these baits can be retrieved/popped/torn/ jerked (descriptive enough? Lol) over the tops and or mid-way down through the weeds. All of the baits are hydrodynamic and pointy solid baits with no hinged parts or huge hooks—a perfect combo for searching and combing large weeds beds full of fish. Tie the bait on a 7’ or longer medium action rod ( a fast action tip helps too) with Berkley Trilene monofilament 10 lb. test line to help getting fish out of the weeds once hooked.

The thicker diameter of the line will also help the bait “float” higher on the retrieve. Position the boat a long cast away from the weed bed and have at it!

The second the bait hits the water, start crankin’ and snap jigging (short quick pulls) the bait so it darts all over the place as you work it back to the boat at a pretty good clip. Snagging a ton of weeds? Then go faster. The fish will come up like a bass and slam the bait—you will not be able to retrieve/snap jig too fast for the fish! Work all sides of the weed bed first, then attack the middle of the weed bed.

Depths will range from 6-12 ft. Look for weed beds not far from or on the first break to deeper water from shore. Mid-flat weed beds are good too! I just prefer weed beds positioned on the outer edge of the flat (closer to deep water drop off vs. closer to shore). Keep the boat moving along while everyone is casting until a fish is caught. If a fish is caught, keep pitching to that “spot” as there may be a school of crappies – not just one.

Be ready for bonus pike, bass, and walleyes. It’s common to get a variety pack anytime you are fishing in the weeds. On that note, bring a few of each bait because you may end up donating a couple to the toothy fish. 

Well, it’s about that simple folks! Find a submerged weed bed on flat, cast hard baits into the weed bed, snap jig and retrieve rapidly above or through weeds, catch a fish, go home and eat it.

Lotsa Fish! Lotsa Fun! Minnesota Fishing Guide Service, www.minnesotaguideservice.com, www.minnesotaicefishhouserental.com, www.mycampfish.com Capt. Josh Hagemeister, 320-291-0708, 218-732-9919.