Cold weather trolling - This is one of the most overlooked time for crappie fishing. And this is perhaps the most productive. Even crappie have to eat in winter. After all, they don't hybernate!

To start, think slow. Your presentation should be slow because the fish don't have the energy to chase the bait. You control the speed and the depth of the lure with your trolling motor. If in doubt go slower.

Pay attention to the wind. For one thing a boat is much harder to control in higher winds and crappie just don't bite in high winds.

Artificial baits and jigs are just as good as live bait while trolling. And they last a heck of alot longer. You can determine what the fish are biting on by placing a different lure on each rod. I usually use four rods while trolling. Any more and I can't handle reeling in all the fish and baiting the lines myself. Fan them out across the back of your boat so they won't get tangled up.

Experiment with depth. Just like the baits, use different depths on each rod . Then go with the depth that works. I use an inline bobber with a split shot weight to keep down an unweighted lure, and just the weight of the lure on others. Don't use alot of weight to keep the lure down, just slow your boat. Usually you just bump the trolling motor every now and then to keep you going.

Use a fish finder if possible. And learn the difference between the fish signal and junk. There is a lot more junk on the display than actual fish. It is best just used as a guage for the depth. Often the fish will be just a foot or two off the bottom. Position your bobber accordingly.

When you find your choice of bait and the depth you like, just troll up and down the water. Going from shallower depths to deeper water. You can mark the places you catch more and come back later after trying other spots. Just keep moving and the fish will pile up. The crappie will be spread out but there is no reason why you can't catch a limit most of the time.

This is a great time to take a kid fishing. There is lots of action to keep them busy and when they get tired or bored just pull over and build a small campfire ( where safe ! ) and yall will have a great time.

If you have some suggestions of your own for your area email it to us!