BY BOB AND GINNY RIEGE

In the summer, crappies often disperse to many locations; most use the weedline at one time or another. Some use pockets in deep cabbage beds all summer, while those in open water are blown onto weedlines where wind driven plankton blooms pile following consecutive days of winds from the same direction. Other schools use shallow and mid-depth weed flats all summer, moving to the weedlines and beyond during bright days or inclement weather.

Begin looking for crappies in areas adjacent to their spawning grounds. The first drop-off near a large flat with rushes could be very productive. As the water warms, the crappies will become more willing to feed. They will also move shallower. The shallower they get, the easier they will be to catch.

Start a little off the weedline early and late in the day, when crappies might be moving in or out. In this situation, most of the crappies are close to the weedline. Once you discover this, move closer to the weedline and cast parallel to the edge, keeping the jig in the most productive zone throughout the retrieve.

Some crappies may penetrate and move into pockets on weedy flats, but most collect on the outside edges within about 20 feet of the edge. On cloudy, windy days, crappies may us the edge or roam over the weed tops all day.

To catch crappies, timing is critical. Dawn and dusk are key times to intercept active crappies in the most predictable locations. To predict movements and intercept crappies along a weedline, find irregularities.

Crappies tend to move in earlier in the afternoon on the western side of a lake where weedlines are deep or where sharp breaks form substantial walls that block the sun. On the eastern side, such areas can induce crappies to linger longer during morning hours. It’s one example where a sharp break bordering a weedbed offers a clue to locating at certain times of the day.

Spool a moderate sized spinning real with 4 pound test line like Berkley Ultra Thin. Casting should start with 1/80 to 1/32-ounce jig baited with a crappie minnow, a maggot, small pieces of crawler, or bits of crayfish tail.

Move parallel to the weededge and fancast around the front of the boat, making two casts to weedline, one in front of the boat, and one out. Count the jig down anywhere from 2 to 10 seconds and swim it back. Or anchor, make 10 or so casts and then move another 60 feet down the weededge and start the process all over again. Remember that shallow water fish can be very spooky. Long casts will be most productive. There are times when an angler can hover directly over the fish, but most of the time it works best to stay away from them. Mobility is the key to consistency on a weedline.

If the crappies are aggressive use the larger jig sizes, when they’re finicky go with the smaller jigs. It sometimes helps to attach a split shot or two, eight to twelve inches above the smaller jigs.

Give me an ultralight rod and reel with four to six pound test line, a handful of jigs, a nice day and some crappies that are willing to bite and I’m a happy guy.