In need of a little change around the retention ponds I fish. The bass bite has just been off for me the last couple days. I want to try some crappie fishing. I don't ever target them and don't really know where to start. How should I go about this?

I always catch crappie using a live worm on a drop shot rig.

2" tube and a slip bobber. Brian.

2" tube and a slip bobber. Brian.

This. Rig it on a 1/32oz head, although I prefer a clip on bobber set at about 2'. Cast it out, let it settle. If nothing happens then give it a light twitch, set the hook at any extra movement of the bobber as crappie will often attach from below, causing the bobber to just rock or lift up instead of pulling under. You'll catch crappie, bluegill, bass, catfish, pretty much whatever is in the pond doing that. 

This. Rig it on a 1/32oz head, although I prefer a clip on bobber set at about 2'. Cast it out, let it settle. If nothing happens then give it a light twitch, set the hook at any extra movement of the bobber as crappie will often attach from below, causing the bobber to just rock or lift up instead of pulling under. You'll catch crappie, bluegill, bass, catfish, pretty much whatever is in the pond doing that.

Imma go with this approach. I just want something to where I can take a chair out with me and relax. Catch a few fish. I feel like we forget to relax and enjoy the simple things sometimes.

Also, if using the jig with bobber, its just a cast and wait kind of thing right? No real movement required?

Also, if using the jig with bobber, its just a cast and wait kind of thing right? No real movement required?

Of course that can work, but often pulling the bobber 18" to 24" stop and go will catch to.That gives the lure/bait  a pendulum swing movement.

 

Windy days with a surface chop will do the work for you.  

 

C22

Of course that can work, but often pulling the bobber 18" to 24" stop and go will catch to.That gives the lure/bait  a pendulum swing movement.

 

Windy days with a surface chop will do the work for you.  

 

C22

Crappies do love that pendulum action. I have fished that rig with up to 6' of line under the float, and for a couple days this spring, 6" under the float.

I've done well with a simple crappie minnow on a hook under a slip bobber.  

This. Rig it on a 1/32oz head, although I prefer a clip on bobber set at about 2'. Cast it out, let it settle. If nothing happens then give it a light twitch, set the hook at any extra movement of the bobber as crappie will often attach from below, causing the bobber to just rock or lift up instead of pulling under. You'll catch crappie, bluegill, bass, catfish, pretty much whatever is in the pond doing that. 

 

I use this setup most of the time. 

 

I've also had good luck with a road runner jig about 2-3 foot under a cork and slowly reeled in. 

Fishing for crappie is lots of fun.

 

There are nearly as many soft plastics and jigs and crankbaits designed for crappie as there are for bass so it can be confusing.

But as others have mentioned the little tubes (that come in about 1000 color combinations, btw) are extremely popular.  Also there are those marabou crappie jigs with or without a spinner blade attached to the head.

 

For me, over the years I've caught the most crappie on 4 lures (I still have my daily fishing logs from years ago )

-  A streamer fly in the "royal coachman" or "mickey finn" pattern fished with a special casting bubble.

-  Inline spinners in 1/16oz - 1/4oz size.

-  Small 2" swimbaits rigged on a 1/16-1/8oz jig head.

-  My largest ever crappie was caught on a classic Beetlespin spinnerbait, 1/4oz and rigged with the split tail grub trailer it comes with.

 

Have fun

You should also eat some of them there crappies.  Very good, some say best, tasting fish in fresh water!

You should also eat some of them there crappies. Very good, some say best, tasting fish in fresh water!

That's what I hear. Never heard anybody talk down on em. Never had any, but want to bad. Unfortunately the ponds I fish in are c&r only.

You should also eat some of them there crappies.  Very good, some say best, tasting fish in fresh water!

  crappie and bluegill are about all we eat anymore...  Definitely my two favorites!