where do crappie hide

The answer to this question is dependant on several different variables. The body of water you are fishing is certainly the key variable. Each specific lake and river has its own characteristics that cause fish like Crappie to react differently. The expected location of this species also varies with both the time of day you are fishing and the time of year you are fishing. Water temperature plays an important role in understanding and tracking the behavior of the Crappie. The first thing you should look for when trying to locate Crappie is wood. Crappies go together like wood like peanut better goes with jelly. It can be in the form of standing trees in the water, fallen timber or even a man made fish magnet. Many people who own houses with deep water docks will use this to their advantage by sinking several evergreen trees to bring Crappie to their area. When you have a situation where only several area with wood are available you task is easy. In a lake that offers hundreds of locations like this you must determine which one is best. Generally a tree or other wooden structure with many branches is best. Remember the Crappie is a fish that is both a predator and also prey. They therefore seek locations that offer an ambush point for them to catch small fish. They also however need a secure place that protects them from predation from larger fish like Bass and Northern Pike. Large trees with many branches are their ideal spot.