crappie ice fishing?

I read that 12 am is the best time to fish for crappie, is that true? Do you have to use some kind of light, if so could you recommend a light? Thanks in advance. I realize the hardwater season is still a couple months away but I like to be as prepared as possible.

rivermaster, the best time to fish for Crappie, is when they're biting, and the best time to catch them is when they're looking the other way. I never tried night fishing, always had the best bite just at sunset.Something I have considered that I want to try is lowering a glow stick down my hole. On a string for easier retrieval, and be sure, don't let it freeze in. Let me know how your late night sorté works out.

I've had the best luck at sunset aswell and once the sun goes down haven't been able to catch anything. The latest i've ice fished is 8 pm tho. I see alot of people heading out when i'm leaving and the people i've talked to say night fishing is the best so I have to give it a try I saw a couple guys with a whole slew of crappie and they said they were biting like crazy in the middle of the night.

I wonder deep, shallow, or suspended? On flat, or drop off, maybe a hump. Weed edge, something, some kind of structure, or cover? Kinda creates more questions than answers.

In the water under the ice! I just go where there's a bunch of huts lined up. There's usually a good weedline with lots of crappie.

Find the huts and you'll find the fish! lol, I use a hand auger and walk out on the ice so it's easier than trying to find my own spot

rivermaster, go to www.navionics.com On the home page, look in the upper right for the webapp, click on that, and scroll around till you find your lake. On the lake map, again in the upper right is an icon saying "no overlay" click on that, and the drop down menu says "street signs" or something like that. Good to find drive to for lake access. Or click on "bing" that gives you satellite imagery. You can deduce spots to try from that. For years now, I've been using Trent-Severn navigation charts with good results, but very primitive compared to this. I leave it on the first map, showing the contour lines for prospecting. I look at the satellite for a visual on what you`ll encounter, and for the entertainment. No skinny dippers so far.

I'll try that out when I get a power auger and a flasher. But for now i'll just stick to my fish where the huts are strategy, altho i'm sure it's much more rewarding to find your own spot!

Can't use lights to attract fish, other than while smelt fishing.......

During the winter the crappies will bite during the day.
In the summer months they wait until just before and just after sundown to really bite.

I guess I have to try both fishing at night and using lights and let you guys know how I do

Another question I have is do you guys use jigs or plain hooks when using minnows? If I were to use a vertical jig should I hook the minnow through the mouth or back?

I use both its all on what they are hitting more that day if I use a plane hook its normally a trout hook

Cool, I haven't been ice fishing much the past 2 years but I did 3 years ago and I will this year. I think I was using too big of minnows because they wouldn't bite until I switched to a curly tail grub. Back then I just figured they preferred the grub but apparently they like small baits... so a decent sized minnow hooked threw the mouth on a vertical jig probably isn't the best bait lol. I also really like rattl'n flyer spoons tipped with minnow heads but haven't had the chance to try them on crappie yet.

I always ask for the smallest (pin heads) then you have fun all day tons of toss back but they normal bring in big ones to so ya I can't wait till ice just a couple more tune ups on the old sled and then good to go.