The crappie is a very popular game fish that goes by a number of different names throughout the country such as calico bass,speckled perch,speckled bass,white perch,pole crappies,strawberry bass, and paper mouth. When speckled perch move into the pre summer period which happens when the water temperature goes into the 70 degree range. The pre-summer period is when the speckled bass move into their regular feeding patterns and they are much more predicable.
The pre-summer period is when the food chain is most plentiful and the white perch,pole crappies are in full feeding mode. You can catch crappie on just about any crappie bait using a variety of different crappie fishing rigs. strawberry bass will be found in multiple locations such as weed beds, flats, breaks, and some will always be suspended. They may be concentrated in just one of these areas, but many times during the pre-summer period you will find strawberry bass at all of these locations at the same time.
You will be able to catch crappie with live bait or artificial crappie jigs. Also a combination of crappie jig heads tipped with crappie live bait such as crappie minnows, flat head minnows, shiners, and small crayfish will work well. Actually just about any crappie bait will work well during the pre-summer period.
In deep southern lakes and reservoirs white perch,pole crappies will appear on primary and secondary points on the main lake where there is a break or drop off to deeper water. Deep timbered channel edges will also hold strawberry bass during the pre-summer period.
In northern lakes speckled perch will move to area's to establish themselves in the habitat they intend to stay with throughout the summer. As long as their natural food source remain the same the paper mouth will remain in these areas. That is why in northern lakes the paper mouth will be very predicable during this period and crappie baits such as any live bait like crappie minnows, shiners, fathead minnows, small crayfish, and even fresh mussel meat will work to catch crappie during the pre-summer and summer periods.
We hope the information in this article about Calico Bass. Have a great day and the the best of luck to you on your next fishing trip. Crappie fishing can be one of the most rewarding times you will have. Try taking your kids fishing they will love it!
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