How to Tie Crappie Fishing Flies
Crappie are not highly selective fish, but the flies used deserve special attention. Crappie respond to motion, size and color. The flies used to catch the fish are typically flashy, but neutral-colored flies also can be effective. Crappie can be caught using nymphs and streamers, with streamers being the most common choice. Fishing a streamer and nymph in tandem is also very effective because it presents multiple options for the fish. Crappie are caught year-round with some fisherman using flies through the ice in the winter.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Use streamers and nymphs on hooks that are smaller than a size 6. Crappie have small mouths and are easier to hook with small to medium size flies. Tie a stinger hook on larger flies to assist with hooking the fish.
-
2
Use bead chain eyes on the head of the fly. Also concentrate any lead weight toward the front of the fly. This will create an undulating motion when the fly is retrieved through the water column.
-
-
3
Use materials that create motion when wet. Rabbit strips and marabou are two common materials used in crappie flies.
-
4
Add flash to the tail and body of crappie flies. Krystal flash and flashabou in red, silver, pearl and black are highly visible in the water and will attract crappie.
-
5
Add weed guards to flies that will be fished through heavy cover and weed beds. Crappie tend to concentrate around weeds and flies that can penetrate the cover are very effective.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Use contrasting colors on crappie flies. White and black are common, but crappie will also respond to purple, orange, red and chartreuse.
References
- Photo Credit fly tying image by sasha from Fotolia.com
