Do Crappies Bite In The Rain?

Do Crappies Bite In The Rain
Do Crappies Bite In The Rain

Fishing for crappies during warm weather is the common advice given to anglers, but what happens during the rain? The demand for crappies is all year round because it is such a delicious meal when prepared, so anglers have to find ways to keep up with their stock. After careful observations, experienced anglers have noticed some useful changes in crappie patterns and creative tips that can help you land crappies even when it is raining out there.

Do Crappies Bite In The Rain?

Changes in Crappie Patterns

The rain tends to scare crappies away from the shallow parts of the river. They tend to gather in the deeper parts of the water in small schools. However, it is interesting to note that anglers have given conflicting experiences about fishing in the rain. While some anglers confirm that the rain scares crappies away, others claim they get more bites while fishing in the rain.

Thinking about these two views, it can be concluded that you cannot confidently predict the behavior of crappies when it rains so it may be worth your while to go fishing for crappies in the rain. However, we can assume the chance for crappie to bite during and after rain is lower than a normal day. The increase in activity while it rains can be explained this way; when it rains the water will most likely become murky. This provides a cover for the crappies.

Also, the rain stirs up the waters, the current forces larvae, and smaller fish to come out in the open as food for crappies. With the murky waters providing cover, crappies will be bolder to swim in search of food. However, some schools of crappies are more spooked by the rain. So if you discover a location where crappies take more bites during the rain, you know where to go whenever it rains.

Overall, we know that crappies are sight feeders and there is a good chance of crappies biting if they can see the bait. The following tips will help you get more bites while fishing for crappies during the rain.

Use longer rods

Longer rods help you to cover a wider area while fishing for crappies. Since you are not sure the crappies will bite in the rain, you should at least try to cover a wide area. You may be lucky to find a school of crappies that become more active while it rains.

Slow trolling for crappies

During the rain, it is going to be more difficult to bait crappies, so you have to use slow trolling methods to encourage the crappies to bite.

Stay focused

While fishing for crappies in the rain, you must stay focused because you may not be feeling some light bites on your lures.

Use crappie fishfinders

With these gadgets, you can find crappies and determine the depths to ensure that your lures reach areas beneath the water where they can be seen and bitten by crappies.

Use Heavier spinners

The silver spinners or other brightly colored jigs with spinners can help you attract more crappies to take bites even when fishing in waters that have turned murky due to rainfall.

In conclusion, be patient. Getting crappie bites during the rain is unpredictable, and it can be the best expedition you have had in a while. So be ready. Before you head out, ensure that you have the fishing gear (raincoat, goggles) to protect yourself from getting wet. I would also advise you to stay away from the waters during thunderstorms but if you get caught up in a storm, use rods made from graphite to avoid getting struck by a thunderbolt.

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