Friday, April 18, 2008
Crappies: Stars of spring
Mark Taylor
Mark Taylor's Outdoors column and notebook appears regularly in The Roanoke Times.
Recent columns
In fishing hierarchy, panfish typically occupy the lower rungs.
But each spring, one member of the under appreciated group rises to the top, drawing plenty of attention from unapologetic fans.
It's the crappie, which for a brief few weeks becomes a coveted target -- even among many fishermen normally more focused on glamorous species such as bass and trout.
Why the sudden shift?
Because when crappies move into the shallows to spawn, they can provide some of the fastest action a fisherman will ever experience. Twenty-five fish limits are not at all uncommon during the spring.
Crappies still wouldn't draw so much attention were they not among the tastiest freshwater fish.
The fleeting nature of the fishery probably also helps fuel the fire.
While crappie experts can find and catch the fish year-round, they can be tough targets outside of the spawning season. For the average recreational fisherman, the window of opportunity is open for a relatively short time and contributes to the sense of urgency.
Crappie fishing has been solid in the region's lakes for several weeks and should remain good into early May.
