Outdoors Angle: Sneak Up On Those Shallow Crappies

The Flag Outdoors Expert Steve Carney has your weekly Outdoors Angle right here!

     As we slide into the month of May, it's crappie time! The movement into the shallows in May is one of the best times of the year for crappie action as they are shallow, active and biting.

     Most anglers know the crappies tend to inhabit the shallowest water possible in May and oftentimes are in water as shallow as 2 feet. Because of this shallow activity, anglers must use their electric motors to creep into the shallow zone making zero noise and vibration. Any human interference into this shallow water will spook those crappies and they will scatter. I always turn off my big gas motor 200 yards before my destination and creep in quietly with my bow electric motor. I see anglers roaring into these areas with their big outboards and it immediately turns the fish off. Once I creep in quietly, I make extra-long casts to keep the boat away from the shallows. Always fan cast the area until you get a biter.  Anchoring is alright if you know you are on the spot. If not, use your electrics to move about the shallows and cover water.

     Remember, being stealthy is the name of the game for May crappies. No talking, no radio blasting, no outboards equals success!

Steve Carney is The Flag WZFG Outdoors expert. He can be heard every Thursday morning at 8:05 on AM 1100 WZFG. Check out his weekly podcast on am1100theflag.com and hear his Outdoors Angle reports every Friday on AM 1100 WZFG. You can also visit stevecarneyoutdoors.com for more information.