Secrets to Catching Big Spring Crappies. Chautauqua Lake.

Spring Crappie Fishing in Shallow Bays – Strategies That Catch BIG Slabs! If you're chasing crappie from a boat this spring, you're in the right place! In this video, my dad, Carl and I break down everything you need to know about spring crappie fishing in shallow bays, from pinpointing fish-holding spots to the best gear, baits, and techniques to use when the slabs move up to spawn. Why Spring Crappie Love Shallow Bays: When water temps hit 55–65°F, crappie push into the shallows to spawn. Bays with mud bottoms, emergent vegetation, stump fields, and brush piles are absolute magnets for spawning crappie. These protected areas warm up faster and offer ideal cover. Boat Positioning Tips: Stay quiet and approach shallow bays slowly with your trolling motor. You're looking for 6-8 feet of water. Use side imaging or livescope sonar to locate schools of crappie holding near cover. Anchoring or spot-locking just outside bedding areas keeps you in the strike zone without spooking the fish. Best Baits & Lures for Spring Crappie: Live minnows under a slip float for a natural presentation 1/16 oz to 1/32 oz jigs tipped with soft plastics (like tubes or curly tails) Chartreuse, white, pink, and black/blue combos for murky water Paddle tail swimbaits or small crankbaits for aggressive fish Top Techniques for Boat Fishing Shallow Crappie: Vertical jigging around stumps, docks, and brush Casting with a float rig along the shoreline and reeling slowly Slow trolling through open water in the back of bays Hot Tips to Maximize Spring Success: Fish early and late in the day for active bites Focus on the north-facing bays that warm up quicker After cold fronts, drop back to the first break line off the spawning flats Get 10% OFF your tackle at BuffaloTackle.com Use CODE: Willsworld #CrappieFishing #SpringCrappie #ShallowBayFishing #BoatFishingTips #CrappieSpawn #LivescopeFishing #SlabCrappie #CrappieLures #FishingFromBoat #EarlySpringFishing