Crappie Fishing Tips & Secrets: Table Rock

Crappie Like Underwater Brush

Look for fallen trees by the shoreline; they will likely have piles of branches underwater around them. Crappie will congregate in these brush piles and wait for smaller bait fish such as shad. Table Rock Lake has many shoreline areas lined with trees, which you can access by foot or boat. The cover of the piles gives the crappie added protection from larger fish. Use jigs of different colors along with live bait to draw them out. Fish about 6 feet around any fallen trees and places along the shoreline where brush has washed ashore.

Crappie Stay On the Move During Summer

Table Rock Lake's crappie move in schools during the summer, and you can find them at different depths depending on water temperatures and weather. If you have a boat, you'll find it faster and easier to locate these moving groups of fish. For success during the summer months, troll around the lake until you locate a school, then and test different lures and baits. In rainy or overcast conditions, try fishing areas close to the shoreline near trees, as rain washes insects off the leaves, attracting bait fish and crappie.

Fish Crappie Deeper During The Spawn

In the early spring, crappie will spawn and head for deeper waters. Look for schooling shad; you'll likely find crappy nearby. In sunny weather, fish areas along the banks hit by sunlight. Troll several fishing poles at different depths until you start getting hits, then find their depth. Table Rock Lake has several launch ramps, making access to deeper water easy for boat owners.

Minnows Are Crappie's Favorite Food

Live bait, especially shiny minnows, will catch a lot of crappie. Several businesses around Table Rock Lake sell bait and tackle, and the locals that operate these shops can offer tips on where to fish and what to use depending on lake conditions and time of year. Live minnows work well for crappie fishing because their movement and shimmer attract hungry fish. For trolling the lake in a boat, live minnows work better than crank baits or lures. Also use minnows in shallow shoals or areas where the sun is shining; the flashy movement in the water will attract crappie.