Fishing for Crappie in the Summer: Expert Tips

Summer Crappie Fishing with Expert Anglers

If you’ve ever chased crappie during the spring spawn or drilled holes for them in the winter, you’re in good company. That’s when most anglers target these popular panfish. But what about summer? Believe it or not, it’s one of the most overlooked — and best — times to catch crappies.

Let’s break down why.

Crappies in the Weeds: Where They Go After the Spawn

Once the spawn wraps up in late spring, crappies don’t just disappear. They move to weed edges, especially in lakes with decent cover and baitfish. The fish school up, settle along deep weed lines, and feed aggressively. The only catch? You need electronics to find them.

We're not talking about catching a couple fish here and there. When you find the right structure, you're often looking at schools with hundreds of fish.

Finding the Right Weeds

Not all weed beds are created equal. The best ones for summer crappie fishing have scattered clumps — not thick, solid walls. These patchy weed areas give fish space to move and feed, and they make it easier to get a bait in front of them.

Different lakes have different weed line depths. In clear lakes, you might be looking at 12 to 14 feet. In darker lakes, 6 to 8 feet is more typical. Wherever the edge is, that’s where the fish are likely to be.

Gear That Gets the Job Done

When you're working these spots, a light jig and soft plastic is a solid setup. Something in the 1/16 to 1/8 oz range, depending on depth and wind. Cast it out, let it fall, and work it just above the weeds.

Panfish gear has come a long way. Take the St. Croix Legend Elite Panfish rod — it’s not just light and sensitive, it’s tuned specifically for this style of fishing. You get the finesse to feel subtle bites and just enough muscle to handle a heavy crappie or a bluegill that punches above its weight. Pair it with light braid or nano line, and you can make long, accurate casts even with tiny baits.

Fish Are There — You Just Have to Find Them

One key point to remember: summer crappie fishing is all about finding the right pods. Fish don’t bite all day. They go through active windows. You might hit a spot and it’s slow — move on to the next one. Sometimes, you drop on a school and it’s like flipping a switch. They're lit up, and it's game on.

That’s how it went for us. One minute we’re picking through them, the next, we’re doubling up on slabs.

Multi-Species Bonus Round

When you're working weed edges, don’t be surprised if you hook into other panfish — big bluegills, perch, even rock bass. We even pulled in a few that had us thinking we were hooked into walleyes.

That’s the bonus of fishing areas stacked with food. Perch fry, shiners, bluegill minnows — the buffet is open, and everyone’s feeding.

Why the Boat Matters

We fished out of the Lund 1875 Impact, and it really shines in this type of scenario. It’s built for multi-species fishing — big casting decks, great storage, and one of the best livewell systems out there if you’re keeping fish for dinner or tournaments. One day you're jigging crappies, the next day trolling walleyes or chasing muskies. It handles it all.

The Bottom Line

Summer crappie fishing doesn’t get enough credit. The fish are active, concentrated, and hungry — if you put in a little effort to find them, the payoff is worth it. Use your electronics, target patchy weed beds, downsize your presentation, and be ready for a fun, fast-paced bite.

 FAQs

Q: What’s the best depth for summer crappie fishing?

A: Depends on the lake. In stained lakes, 6–8 ft weedlines are prime. In clearer water, target 12–18 ft.

Q: Do I need a boat?

A: While shore fishing is possible, a boat gives you a huge advantage for locating fish and covering water.

Q: What’s the best bait for summer crappie?

A: Small jigs with plastics or minnows. Light jigheads with soft plastics in natural colors work best around weeds.

Q: Are weedlines better than brush piles?

A: In summer, weedlines hold more baitfish and offer greater access to feeding crappies during the day.

Q: Can I catch other fish on these spots?

A: Absolutely. Bluegill, perch, bass, and even walleye show up along productive weedlines.