Crappie stage in the deep, cool thermocline of these creeks and then leave to go feeding on shad, their No. 1 prey item. Anglers should also be mindful that when temperatures are going into summer ranges, crappie will migrate out of the creeks and into the main lake. This calls for a change in tactics.

Main-lake points and deeper areas where creeks enter the main body of the lake are now the important areas to fish. During this time of year, crappie begin to relate more strongly to brushpiles, wood, bridges and other structure. They'll also key on variations in oxygen levels, to which crappie and other baitfish are very susceptible. In the summer, such fluctuations and, thus, crappie kills are commonplace at some Southern lakes.

Anglers looking for crappie in summer months might consider looking for spots where there is an increase in water flow near deep water. The north end of the reservoir can be a good spot, as can the dam when the lake is releasing water.

These spots, which generally have a higher ratio of dissolved oxygen, will hold crappie. Artesian wells like those found on many East Texas lakes are great places to find crappie as spring changes to summer.

Something else to keep an eye out for during summer: open flats. These areas often become staging grounds for shad, and crappie stack up in them to feed on the baitfish.

Something to keep in mind is that no matter where you fish, crappie techniques usually center on finding the proper depth at which to fish. Actually timing the drop by knowing how the bait falls is one method.

Another effective method is called "crocheting."

This involves allowing the bait to drop to the bottom and rest there. Then it is taken by hand using a pull method and reeling in slack until a crappie strikes.

The point of both methods is to get the bait or jig into the right zone. When a crappie strikes at a certain depth, concentrate your efforts there, as many more bites are likely to follow the first.

LAKE COOPER
This lake is full of slab-sized crappie, and that's in no small part due to the prime habitat it contains. The spring fishing is good, but the best fishing is during winter.

During spring, a lot of the crappie will be along the shorelines in shallow water, usually ranging from 1 to 3 feet in depth. In early spring, they will be up in the buckbrush in the back of the creeks. In winter, months look for big schools of shad bunched up around the river channels.

The top bait for crappie in these parts is a live shiner rigged on a single, thin hook. Long-shanked hooks are best used because the fish are easier to unhook and release that way. Don't get the idea that Cooper's crappie won't accept plastic, because they will -- if you're careful.

It's all in boat positioning and stealth, though. If you get right over where you find the crappie and drop your jig down vertically, you can absolutely hammer crappie. Small 1/32- and 1/16-ounce tube jigs can catch as many fish as shiners do any day of the week. You just have to pay attention to detail.