October 22, 2025

Winter Crappie Secrets: Open Water Strategies with Chris Hammill | Brilliant Fishing Podcast

40 minutes

Bundle up and get ready for a winter crappie masterclass!

Host Jason Brilliant welcomes back expert angler and outdoorsman Chris Hammill on the Brilliant Fishing Podcast to talk all things open-water winter crappie fishing — from finding suspended schools to fine-tuning your tackle, electronics, and strategy for cold-weather slabs.

When water temperatures drop, crappie don’t go deep — they school up in open water, following baitfish across main-lake basins and creek mouths. In this episode, Chris explains how to locate and catch winter crappie using Livescope, traditional sonar, and subtle presentation changes that make all the difference.

📘 What You’ll Learn:

• How to find and follow open-water crappie schools in winter

• Using Livescope and electronics to track suspended fish

• Proven jig sizes, colors, and line setups for cold-water crappie

• Best boat positioning and speed control for consistent bites

• Seasonal baitfish patterns and how crappie respond

• Cold-weather crappie fishing tips from an experienced North Carolina angler

Whether you’re a crappie tournament competitor or a weekend angler chasing slabs, this episode gives you the tools and confidence to stay on the bite all winter long.

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By brilliantfishingnc

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