Would an underwater camera be useful when fishing for Crappies?

An underwater camera can be useful when angling for any type of fish, but it’s never necessary.  While it can help you locate the big schools of crappie and the congregations around structure, you can do this with many other standard techniques as well.

Crappie will always gather near structure of some kind that gives them a rest from the strong current.  Look for underwater piles, tree branches or stumps, manmade items, and dams.  Also, take note that crappie are creatures of habit and instinct.  They’ll frequently choose the same resting places over and over, and their movements will simply follow the baitfish, minnows and other smaller fish that make up their diet.  It can be really easy to spot a large school of minnows in a clear river or pond, and where you find these,  you’ll find the crappie.

Remember, there are general rules based on time of year as to the level at which you’ll find the crappie.  They are rarely resting on the bottom and, in shallow waters, may even be near the surface in amicable weather, meaning that you might be able to spot them without any additional equipment or crafty tricks, especially if you are in an area where there is a thick moss covering or a number of lily pads.  Here, they’ll rest just below the surface, waiting to strike baitfish.

Don’t go out and spend a fortune on an underwater camera, unless you are simply looking to record the strike so you can see just what it looks like.

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