| Crappie and bass anglers often
consider fishing to be at its best in early morning, but spring
fishing can be more successful in the late afternoon and early
evening. Early in the season, water usually takes three days after a
cold front before it warms significantly enough to increase crappie
and bass activity. |
| Because water warmer than 40oF
is more buoyant than cooler water, spring warming creates a shallow,
warmer layer of water late in the day on the downwind side of a lake.
Although air will cool quickly after sunset, water retains its heat
for quite some time. Because of the warmer water and better predatory
efficiency of crappie and bass during low light conditions, these fish
feed more aggressively in the late afternoon and early evening during
the spring. |
| Early season
crappie fishing begins when daffodil leaves push their way out of
the soil, usually in February. These early season crappie can be
caught in shallow water, especially around woody debris and in
vegetation over a hard bottom near deeper water. Often some of the
year's best catches occur at this time. For anglers unable to fish
during the day, night fishing can be excellent as fish move into a
lake's tributaries. |
This white crappie drawing is by Duane Raver, US Fish and Wildlife
Service. |
| The preferred spawning areas for
crappie are hard bottom areas with vegetation or on waterlogged wood.
Males of both white and black crappie will darken as spawning
approaches, and they begin nest building. If the catch consists mostly
of dark males, the females may be nearby in deeper water. Casts with
jigs or minnows exploring nearby deeper water may catch larger
females. |
 Crappie
anglers typically use minnows or small jigs. Minnows used for crappie
fishing are 1- or 2-inch fathead minnows, also known as tuffies.
Minnows are commonly fished with a size 4 gold wide-gap "crappie" hook
and a small split-shot weight between the hook and a float. A lively
minnow should be hooked just behind the lips from the bottom through
the top lip or in the back, avoiding the spine. Place the weight a
hand length from the hook, and set the float so the minnow will be
above the crappie. Fishing line should be heavy enough to pull a
crappie hook out of a snag without breaking the line, but fishing line
should be light enough that the split shot keeps the fishing line
tight. Twelve-pound test monofilament line may be ideal. Remember that
unused live bait may not be released into the water being fished. |
| Both plastic and marabou jigs catch
crappie, but the small jigs have an advantage. Small jigs stay in the
crappie's strike zone longer than large jigs. Although many colors are
used, anglers often use yellow and white, sometimes with a brightly
painted head. Black jigs seem to be more effective during crappie
spawning season. Because lighter line helps anglers feel the action of
the jig, eight-pound test is the maximum suggested. A four- to
six-pound line may yield higher catches at the cost of a few more
jigs. |
|
Largemouth bass are the most popular fish in Alabama. Largemouth
bass prefer slightly warmer water than crappie for spawning. Unlike
crappie, bass are more difficult to catch on their spawning beds.
Except for specialized sight fishing for bass on beds, the best bass
fishing is just prior to and two weeks after spawning. |
This largemouth bass drawing is by Duane Raver, US Fish and Wildlife
Service. |
| Bass prefer to make nests in
shallow water in pea-sized gravel near deeper water. Sand or hard clay
may be used when bass do not have access to small gravel. Male bass
often build nests near structures such as submerged wood or weed beds.
Bass stay near these quality spawning sites throughout the spring. |
| Larger bass are generally caught
early in the fishing season. For smaller waters, anglers often catch
the largest bass in late February and March.
Alabama tournament data from bass clubs fishing reservoirs show
anglers catch more large bass in March and April. |
| Large bass are more vulnerable and
at their maximum size during the spring. During this time, larger
baits are often used to target these wary trophy fish. Spinner baits
and jig-and-pig baits are excellent early season lures. The type of
spinner baits known as buzz baits are effective on large and small
bass, creating some topwater excitement this time of year. Lipless
crankbaits and jerk baits can produce excellent catches in pre-spawn
periods, as can plastic salamanders with the hook buried into the
plastic. |
|
Statewide bass club tournament data shows anglers in reservoirs
enjoy their best catches in May after most spawning is finished.
During this time of year, most any bass lure will work. |
|
Bluegill or bream prefer warmer water than crappie and largemouth
bass. Spawning beds concentrate bluegill, thus creating the best
fishing of the year. Bluegill spawn monthly from May through October,
often during the full moon. Bluegills spawn in shallow gravel or sandy
areas that have cover, such as weeds or submerged wood. Areas with
access to deeper water may contain larger bluegill. Being sight
feeders, bluegills feed readily during midday hours, an advantage for
anglers who prefer not to get up during pre-dawn hours. |
This bluegill drawing is by Duane Raver, US Fish and Wildlife Service. |
| Spring is the best season for
fishing in Alabama. Anglers have an excellent opportunity to catch
crappie, largemouth bass, and bluegill as water temperatures warm. The
best chances of success come to anglers who know when, where and how
to target these fish. |
