More of this Feature • Part 1: Clark Hill Crappie • Part 2: Crappie Tackle • Part 3: Clark Hill Hotspots • Part 4: Find Your Own Hotspots • Part 5: Crappie Jigs

Join the Discussion "Are you catching any crappie this spring? What is your favorite springtime method?" Ronnie

Related Resources • Crappie Fishing Survey • Netting Crappie • You Say Croppie, I'll Say Crappie • Winter Crappie

Past Articles One Year Ago -   4/03/00 - Access to Public Lands Two Years Ago -  04/12/99 - Fishing Memories Part 4 Three Years Ago - 04/13/98 - One More Boat Tale Four Years Ago - 04/14/97 - Bream Are Bedding

Many people swear by live bait only, but I use jigs unless I am anchored and still fishing in one place. A jig is quicker since you don't have to change it after catching a fish, and it doesn't die. I have often caught my limit of 30 crappie on one jig. If you get into a concentration of fish, it is much faster with a jig. It is also cheaper!

When dabbling, drifting or trolling, you give your jig plenty of movement. A minnow becomes better when you are not moving your bait since it will swim under the cork and entice a crappie to hit.

In fairly clear water, the smaller the jig the better. A white or yellow hair jig seems to work best. In stained water, the combo jigs like Hal Flies seem to catch more fish. My favorite is the red head, green body and yellow tail version. It is a little more bulky in the stained water and easier for the crappie to find. In the dingiest water, a chartreuse jig with a red head has worked best for me.

A Georgia license is good anywhere on Clark's Hill. There is a 30 crappie per person limit but you should be able to catch 30 slabs to fill your cooler. Watch out if you happen to catch a bunch of crappie and then find some hybrids and largemouth feeding. There is a 40 total fish limit of all species combined, so don't catch your 30 crappie and get carried away on the others.

Clark's Hill is a huge lake offering lots of water for everybody. You can find muddy to clear water on just about any April day. Somewhere, there are the perfect conditions for you. The only way to not catch crappie at Clark's Hill this month is to stay off the lake.

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