Follow Contours to Catch More Crappie

Following the contours of the lake can be a game-changer when it comes to crappie jigging. Here are some tips for following contours and catching more crappie:

1. Use a Depth Finder with Mapping: A depth finder can help you determine the contours of the water. This can be especially helpful in lakes and reservoirs where the water levels can change frequently. A depth finder with a mapping feature will aid in locating the contours quicker and stay at the depth where the crappie are.

2. Pay Attention to Drop-offs: Crappie often hang out near drop-offs and changes in depth. Use your depth finder to locate these areas and focus your jigging efforts there. Crappie will hug these drop offs to get out of current as well as ambush bait fish.

3. Look for Cover: Crappie tend to congregate around cover such as brush piles, fallen trees, and weed beds. Use your depth finder to locate these areas and jig around them for crappie.

4. Follow the Wind: Wind can push plankton and other food sources towards certain parts of the water, which can attract crappie. Look for areas where the wind is blowing and focus your jigging efforts there. When plankton is pushed into a shoreline bait fish will follow. Jigging for crappie along these shorelines, when the wind is blowing can be great. This is especially true if there is brush piles or other cover along this shore line as well.

5. Experiment with Different Depths: Crappie can be found at different depths depending on the time of day, season, and water temperature. Try jigging at different depths until you find where the crappie are located.

By following the contours of the water and paying attention to the behavior of crappie, you can increase your chances of catching more fish. Remember to be patient and experiment with different techniques until you find what works best for you.