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I would like to catch a few Crappie....but have never targeted them in Utah. I've caught them in MN.....but there I can use live minnows.
What is the best bait and method to use?
I read posts about fishing late in the afternoon into the night. Is that the best time?
Not after them to eat (i don't like fish)....would just like to have some fun catching them.
I guess PV is the place to go? Any suggestions on where and depth?
I'd like to go tonight, or tomorrow.
I've attached a pic of the 14in Crappie I caught 2 weeks ago fishing in a fish house in MN.
Any info would be appreciated.
Thanks
Rob
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I use ice fly or small jig with meal or wax worm. See attached. J
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Hey Rob. Ditto what Skunked said--waxies or crappie nuggets (power bait essentially) on the bottom to 5-6 off with some sort of ice fly or jig. Very, very light bite so be prepared. Early morning or evening best. I hate to be a killjoy on your fun but if you don't like to eat fish what do you plan on doing with them when/if you catch them? You do realize that they likely cannot survive being released since they are mostly being caught in depths over 40 feet at Pineview? That gives you a dilemma of wasting wildlife and having fun catching them.
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Yeah......I had a PM ask me about that as well and it was not something I had considered. I'm rethinking my desire to catch some Crappie through the ice. I don't want to waste them and its not worth it if that's what is going to happen.
When I catch them in MN I am only in 10-15 ft of water and it has not been an issue so that never crossed my mind.
Either I am waiting until soft water to try for some in the shallows or I'll have to find someone who wants to go with me and show me how to prepare them.
I say I don't eat fish.....but I think the biggest reason is that (embarrassed to admit being a fisherman)...I have no clue how to clean a crappie or the best way to prepare it.
I'll eat a Trout now and then but I'm usually backpacking. Gut it, wrap it in tinfoil and pop it in the fire.
I'm not dying to get into Crappie that bad. Just thought about it after catching them in MN and wondered about it on my home waters.
Do you use a flasher (kastmaster or sweedish pimple) above the jig?
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If you like fish tacos, Crappie make good eats! We just brought back 30 Crappie and filleted 1 1/2 pounds worth of meat. They're not hard to filet, but I use an electric knife to filet them. 30 only took me a little under an hour to filet.
As for the fishing part, you will need to keep your catch. As was mentioned in the other post by fishday, they are deep and won't survive coming up from that depth. Their air bladders cause them to float and they can't make it back down. They are worth eating. Nice mild flavor.
We use #10 VMC Tungsten flies and tip them with whatever is working. You'll need to experiment with bait to find what they are interested in for the day. Try Gulp Minnows or Maggots, live Maggots, Mealworms, etc.
Good luck if you decide to try it out.
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I had to call in sick so I could go to Lake Powell!
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I sometimes use a a weight on top of the jig--usually a Hali (but cast master, o swedish pimple or other spoons work) that I can tie a jig below or just use the chain and hook that come with them. Usually tie an ice fly above that set up to cover more water. When fishing that deep you need some weight to get a jig down there quickly and then to be able to feel the bite.
Crappie are by far a lot better tasting and milder than trout. Perch even better than crappie in my opinion.
I tell you what, if you want to go out and catch some let me know when you're going and if I can I'll go with you and show you how I catch them and how to clean and prepare them to enjoy after the catch.
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First, I'm usually the first to get annoyed with anyone telling anyone else how they should fish or what they should do with fish they should keep as long as it's legal. That said, I would warn against catching crappie anywhere in Utah if you don't plan on keeping some. Even if you get really good at fizzing them, or really good at using any of the systems to return them to the depths, some will die. If the fishcops walk over to your hole and see a dozen dead crappie in it as you're packing up to leave, you're going to have a bad time. I'm sure we can all tell from the way you're talking here that you're a selective harvester and you have a good sense of morality regarding the wildlife.
A lot of people who don't like trout really like crappie, bass, perch and other warm water fish. You might really like them. There are a bunch of videos on Youtube that show different methods for cleaning crappie, but I like the method where you just slice the whole fillet off a side leaving the skin attached at the tail, then flip it over and slice the fillet off the skin. Then you cut the lateral bones in the fillet out in a wedge and you're done.
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Fishday - thanks for the offer, that would be great to have a teacher. I'll let you know and give you a holler.
If its going after 3pm I can pretty much go any day of the week.
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There are tons of videos on youtube that show just how easy it can be to fillet a Crappie. Check a few out.
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The first few crappie I filleted, I over thought the situation and tried too hard not to waste a bit of meat... After having TD or someone else show you how easy it can be to fillet them it's really easy and you don't waste much meat if any.... There's a little between the rib bones, but it's very little and when you don't have to deal with bones all of a sudden eating fish is enjoyable and not the hassle you get used to eating trout that you have only gutted and cooked whole... Also watch here for the recipe club, not really, but a lot of folks share how to prepare the fish like TDs fish chowder... It's a killer recipe, I love it... I'm sure he wouldn't mind reposting that when he sees this thread and it will be well worth the work... Good luck.. J
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Cool. Early next week might be a good time. Hopefully not too much snow out there to make getting off and on easy.
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Powell has them up to 17" or so and Powell is one of the most beautiful places on earth.
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I just recently discovered crappie for myself so I'm no expert. Been great tips so far. The only thing I do differently is attaching the spoon (with a hook) below the jig. Seems that sometimes the crappie lift the bait up. Attaching the jig below the weight hides these bites.
Tacos, fish-n-chips, chowder, ceviche. Haven't found a bad way to prepare them.
Happy catching...
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This year was my first year catching Crappie. They are fun to catch through the ice. I was hesitant to figure out how to prepare them, but I found the videos on YouTube on how to fillet Crappie easy to follow, and after my first 5 or 6 tries, I got the hang of it. I made fish tacos the next day for dinner. I fed my whole family of 7 with some left over. IMO it is worth the effort and satisfaction of catching a new species and feeding my family with such success. I hope you try it.
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Totally agree. If it were only closer to SLC! Probably wouldn't be as good of fishing I suspect
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