Black Crappie
Pomoxis nigromaculatus
Crappie school tight around submerged brush piles, docks, and standing timber, suspending at a specific depth rather than sitting on bottom. A float lets you hold bait right at that depth without snagging the structure they're using for cover, spring spawn is the most consistent bite of the year.
Typical size: 8-17in · Peak season: spring. Always check current CDFW regulations for size and bag limits before keeping fish.
Float Rig
A float suspends bait at a fixed depth instead of dragging it on the bottom, letting current or light wave action carry it naturally past holding fish. This is the standard technique for salmon and steelhead in rivers, fished with roe or beads under a pencil float, and for light-tackle pier species like jacksmelt, where a small float and a multi-hook leader with tiny bait covers a school as it drifts through. Use it whenever fish are holding off bottom rather than on it, or when you want a natural drift through a current seam without snagging.
- Main line8-15 lb monofilament running through the float
- Leader15-25 lb fluorocarbon
- Leader length18-24in from the float to the hook, shorten in clear water, lengthen in off-color water
- Hooks#4 - #1 light wire hook, or a 1/16oz jig instead of a hook and weight
- WeightSmall split shot, or none if you're using a jig
- Line to sinkerShot placed 8-12in above the hook, or spaced 2in apart in a cluster halfway down the leader for salmon
- BaitA small minnow or curl-tail jig suspended over submerged brush and dock structure