Still, picking out the best spots at which to catch crappie isn’t an easy thing. There are so many variables that go into a successful fishing trip. Even with a depthfinder and a good topo map of the lake, it still takes individual knowledge gained from experience to figure out where the fish are going to be hanging. Whether you’re trolling, fishing off a bank or jigging, knowing where structure is located is important, but knowing which brushpiles and tree stumps are best comes with time.

That said, it’s fair to add that being on lakes and rivers whose number of crappie has been increasing, and where weather hasn’t dealt the fish any hard blows in the last few years, can make the learning experience easier.

SOUTH

It’s tough to choose between the Pascagoula River basin on the eastern edge of the state and the Jourdan River close to the Louisiana border. Both are dark-water, slow-me­andering rivers with lots of marshy areas, lily-pad holes and small ponds that open off the stream. Since crappie are so attuned to structure, you should thoroughly fish any fallen trees or clusters of plants in the water.

Locals on both sides of the state favor using a live minnow hooked behind the head; most place a small weight about 6 inches above the hook. Maneuver the bait in between branches or stems and try to it get down fairly deep. When you find one crappie, there will be others at that depth, so mark your line hook on a bobber to keep the bait at the same depth.

Until the water gets hot, fishing those small ponds and lily pad areas off the main channel makes sense. The crappie seem to find a number of minnows and other things to feed on in these holes. It’s better to anchor and throw into these spots, since motor noises can spook the fish.

Although minnows are the typical first choice, a neon jig sweetened with a minnow on the hook works even better in these dark waters. Favored colors are electric blue and red, chartreuse and white. Anything with metalflake also seems to bring on bites. If the water’s unusually clear, change to more natural colors of jigs.

While the water’s still cool, just twitch the lure every few seconds. If, however, the water has reached higher temperatures, jig it with enthusiasm.

If there’s been a lot of rain and the water’s high, the crappie will probably be back in the flooded trees or in the cattails and marsh grass. Under such circumstances, finding holes to fish is tough work. Look for small breaks in the standing stalks, drainage rivulets or anyplace else that might hold extra water.

“On rising, water fish shallower,” suggested MDWFP fisheries biologist Keith Meals. “The best beginning point is about one to 1 1/2 feet deep. On falling water start fishing at the 3-foot mark and work your way down to the school.”

Trolling for crappie usually doesn’t work well in these waters, simply because they’re relatively narrow and shallow. There are few underwater streambeds, and deep holes are generally small and confined to drains where feeder creeks enter the bigger waters.

MID-STATE

North of Jackson lies the first of Mississippi’s big impoundments — Ross Barnett Reservoir. There are many old streambeds, brushpiles and remains of trees that attract and hold crappie.

Spots like the Poverty Hole are excellent after the shallows warm and the spawn is over. In the spring, target shallower structure around which the water warms early, as around docks and downed trees close to shore.

If you’re at all unfamiliar with the impoundment, get a map of the reservoir and do some cruising with the depthfinder on. Check for areas that have brushpiles or stumpfields, especially those toward the south end of the lake. Use colorful jigs, minnows or a combination of both to fish these spots. Colors that work well include pink, white-and-red or chartreuse.