I know many of us outdoors people pick up the shotgun or rifle in the fall and relegate fishing as something to do when not hunting. Many of the fishing guides I have been visiting with who offer both fishing and hunting are busy now putting the finishing touches to their duck blinds. But fishing can be pretty good now.

For the crappie angler, autumn is the best time to be on the water. These fish will congregate in schools to feed up for the winter. Even after winter arrives crappie will still be forming larger schools. In fact, staying in contact with the migrating schools can keep an angler in crappie action until spring rolls around.

Toledo Bend crappie anglers are reporting above average numbers up to limits. Two pounders are common on brushpiles using jigs and minnows. 

Fishing the bridges on Lake Fork can produce quick limits of keepers with the occasional "slab" showing up.

Tied up, or anchoring under bridges, works great on many of the Texas lakes. The concrete bridge pilings build up larvae; the bait fish nibble on the larvae, and the crappie enjoy the meal set up for them.

Tackle for crappie can be as simple as a lightweight spincast 5-6 foot rod, medium action with a open face spinning reel, spooled to capacity with 6 - 10-pound test braided line or 4 - 6 pound fluorocarbon. Even a cane pole dabled in the brush will work.

Rigs for crappie...

Crappie tube jig favorites are Mizmo1.75" Earthtones Mizmo 1.5", Dusters Mizmo 2.5" Crappie teasers...Cabelas, Gander Mountain, Bass Pro Shop or your favorite tackle emporium will have a good selection of crappie jigs and tubes to choose from.

A 1/32 ounce crappie jighead is the best weigt. Tie on your jig head using your favorite knot such as a double rapala knot. favorite color tube.

If you are fishing clear water, try red and chartreuse; for stained water try a purple and white. Insert the hook into the top of the jig, thread the hook through he tube's hollow body, letting the tube cover up the barb on the head.

Try using two jigs, each one a different color, about 18 inches apart. Simply cast the rig slightly past the target and let the jigs fall on a tight line back to the boat. If this doesn't work, move directly over the structure, bridge piling, brushpile etc. Slowly lower the rig to just above the structure.

Boat movement, wave action and wind will put enough action on the rig to entice bites. The bite can be subtle and at times undetectable in deeper situations. Look for any line movement, twitch or even sudden slack. If any of these are detected lift up sharply and see if it's a keeper. 

Who knows...there have been pretty nice bass caught on a crappie jig by unsuspecting crappie angler.