Crappie for Dummies

Without spilling the beans for any super stealth hot spots our top secret lures, can anyone provide a basic tutorial on "how to catch crappie" for someone that has never done it?   

It  would be really fun to fish the Brownlee Crappie Shootout - but that body of water is enormous! I have no idea what good crappie habitat looks like, and I'd be totally guessing on how to rig up for success.

Hi bb, crappie fishing is really easy and the gear is basic. Crappie size tube jigs with a 1/64 jig head inside is always a winner. You can string 2 or 3 of these on your line and do a cast and slow retrieve to find fish. Throw a bobber on once you find them if you want. I usually troll this set up along the shore line when they are getting ready to spawn with constant action. Other minnow style plastics work well too as well as trolling small 2-3 inch plugs. Crappie hang out in schools so if you have electronics, they are easy to find. I'll be fishing at the venue as the event nears so I will be able to provide more specific intel then. I'll see if Jordan can post his vid of last year up.

I'm no expert but think bass fishing only smaller.  Under structure (docks, etc) with small grub tails on tiny jigs can work well.  Worm under a bobber works, too.  They school so if you find one you're set.  If you're just getting dinks try up sizing the bait a little.  It's fun watching them crush top water gnat flies but probably not in a competition.

I agree, brownlee looks huge.  I'd start with small water until I was confident.  Lots of good YouTube videos out there. 

Not hard to track down. Early on its pre spawn so think warmest water. Shallow bays and structure.  After the spawn they can be anywhere. Shallow or deep. Always look for structure.

Another question...  Would you expect crappie in the coves along the Columbia?  I'm going to be doing some bank fishing around Stevenson WA first week of May, and there's a great looking cove at Rock Creek there by the lodge we're at.

Crappies have always looked like fun but I've never gone for them...

Another question...  Would you expect crappie in the coves along the Columbia?  I'm going to be doing some bank fishing around Stevenson WA first week of May, and there's a great looking cove at Rock Creek there by the lodge we're at.

Crappies have always looked like fun but I've never gone for them...

They are around.i have never caught them though.not sure how many but the lakes along highway 14 have them. Bluegill and pumpkinseed are the main panfish in the Columbia back waters. Sorry barb. Didn't mean to jack your thread.

It's all good...more crappie information is better.  Really looks like fun    I was scouring a few hours on youtube. 
I'm still not sure if my commitments will break free for May20 at Brownlee to fish the tournament, but crappie still look like a fun fish to catch and maybe some tasty treats for eating.

Barb, if you want to try crappie fishing closer to home, Central Oregon has several options.  I have had decent crappie fishing in both Prineville and Ochoco Reservoirs.  I am sure more of the lakes in the area also have them, but those are the only ones I have targeted crappie.