Found throughout the Sunshine State's in lakes, rivers, ponds and streams, tightly-bunched specks will move close in to shorelines in 3 to 6-foot depths during the year's cooler months to build nests and spawn. As waters warm up, they'll travel to deeper areas where water temperatures are cooler and more to their liking.

When specks are bedding or holding in lily pads, hyacinths, peppergrass, weed beds, stumps, submerged trees, brush piles or branches showing above or below the water's surface, most anglers simply lower an anchor near such spots and offer live Missouri minnows, grass shrimp, worms, crickets and/or grasshoppers. Some will employ small spinnerbaits or tiny yellow or white jigs. Even fly rodders frequently get in on the act using sinker-type flies.

During warmer months, many speck aficionados locate their quarry on or around deeper structure that will show on electronic fish finders. Others have success by slow trolling or drifting in open water with live bait or small jigs, either singly or in tandem.

Perhaps the most widely used speck rig is a long cane pole with a relatively short section of 8- to 20-pound test monofilament line, a bobber and a small wire hook. Placement of the bobber determines how deeply a bait will go. (see also fishing tips)

Generally, a majority of fish in an individual school will be at the same depth, and it sometimes takes a bit of patience and experimentation to locate this zone. Many speck buffs use one or two split shot near the hook in order to keep a live bait down in an area where expected activity will occur.

Locating a proper depth at which crappie are feeding is vital. Sometimes they'll be just a foot or two from the surface while at other times they may be a foot or two from the bottom.

Most crappie caught in Florida weigh between one-half and one-pound. A two pounder is considered a good catch and one weighing three will give the catcher some sho 'nuff bragging rights. The Florida record for crappie is 3.83 pounds, while the world record stands at 4.8 pounds. To qualify for Florida's "Big Catch" angler recognition, you need to land a crappie 14 inches long or longer, or weighing at least 2.0 pounds. The "Big Catch" program is sponsored by eAngler.com and provides anglers with a certificate for catching a big fish, catching five of the same species will qualify you as a "Specialist."

Keep in mind that specks have extremely tender mouths and a hook that's set too hard will likely tear out. It's best to gently raise a rod or cane pole after a bobber has gone under and smoothly swing the fish aboard without giving it any slack line. On a dinner table, few freshwater fish rival a speck for taste. They're simply delicious.

No telling when or where we'll meet up with this finny critter in the Sunshine State as they're apt to be just about anywhere and everywhere. For an overview, noted fisheries biologists with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) have come up with what, collectively, they feel is a Top-10 list in no particular order. Also see our Fishing Sites/Forecast page for other popular fishing sites and quarterly angling forecasts.

LAKE KENANSVILLE. This flooded cattle pasture is part of the same restored habitat as its better-known neighbors, Stick Marsh and Farm 13. Located south of Palm Bay, this shallow 2,500-acre impoundment has drainage canals on its north, east and south sides which offer deeper fishing locations than the typical 2 to 5-foot depths. According to biologist Denise Benson (407-752-3115), most anglers drift minnows in the middle until fish become congregated in the deeper canals and highly vulnerable.

LAKE MARIAN. For those “in the know”, shallow 5,739-acre Lake Marian, located east of Haines City, appears on most lists of Top-10 speck sites. While not know for producing large crappie, Marian is widely regarded as one of the better “numbers” lakes. During the cooler months, crappie move in to the bulrushes, cattails and lily pads to spawn. In warmer months, they’re found by drifters and slow trollers in open water areas. Cane polers are likely to employ Missouri minnows here, while those using light spinning tackle claim nothing beats Hal-Flies or Beetlespins. Biologist Marty Mann (407-846-5300) notes this lake is also famous for its often spectacular bluegill and shellcracker fishing.

LAKE TRAFFORD. Located about 30 miles southwest of Fort Myers, this 1,500-acre lake is also regarded as a good “numbers” lake. Record numbers of crappie were caught in annual FWC hoop net samples in fall 2001 and many anglers were limiting out then. Biologist Ralph LaPraire (561-791-4730) recommends drifting minnows early or late in the day and if you can’t locate schooling crappie in the middle, try jigging along the vegetated shoreline.

LAKE HARRIS. Marty Hale (352-742-6438) says that crappie fishing is beginning to pick up on this 13,788-acre lake on the Oklawaha Chain at Leesburg. In cooler months, it may be wise to use Missouri minnows in shallow grassy areas and switching to Hal-Flies and Bettlespins when things warm up. Harris has two popular public fishing piers and several Commission fish attractors located within casting distance from shore. Fishing at night under the State Road 19 Bridge is one of the hottest spots. Launching ramps can be found at Hickory Point ($2), on Highway 27 (free) and near Venetian Gardens (free) in Leesburg.

LAKE MONROE. Thanks to an ongoing FWC habitat restoration project begun in the late-1980s, this 9,400-acre water body near Sanford is regaining its reputation as a quality crappie lake, according to Fisheries Biologist Joe Jenkins (904-985-7880). With a 12-inch minimum size limit in effect, anglers here will have an opportunity to collect some real “slabs” by using small jigs, Bream Killers, Hal-Flies or Beetlespins, along with live earthworms, crickets, Missouri minnows and grass shrimp.

LAKE TALQUIN. Located west of Tallahassee, this 8,800-acre reservoir, which produced the current Florida record for crappie (a fish weighing 3 pounds, 13-1/4 ounces) is always high on any speck angler’s agenda. Due to submerged stumps and standing timber, boaters are urged to use caution when venturing out in search of another record crappie. Remember to immediately release all crappie less than 10 inches long caught in Talquin. Numerous fish camps located off State Road 267 south of Quincy have launching sites. For up-to-date information, contact Rich Cailteux at (850-627-9674).

LAKE OKEECHOBEE. Biologist Dan McCall (863-763-4666) reports that crappie have been large and plentiful this season in Lake Okeechobee. Low water levels the previous two years reduced fishing pressure and created a stockpile of crappie that anglers have been taking advantage of this year. Most of the fishing effort has been in the Kissimmee River/Fish Eating Bay/Taylor Creek areas on the north end of the lake. Dan recommends jigging along the grass lines and dropping minnows in holes in the vegetation. 

TENOROC FISH MANAGEMENT AREA. Think quality when venturing here for crappie, especially in the facility’s unreclaimed lakes, advises Danon Moxley (863-499-2421). With its 14 (more to come) intensely managed lakes, Tenoroc, near Lakeland, has gained a deserved reputation as being one of the world’s leading all-around fishing sites for bass, bream and specks. Open to the public four days per week, it’s advisable to call ahead for a reservation before planning a mini safari to this popular place. Moxley suggests using Missouri minnows, Beetlespins, 1/8-ounce Cotee Jigs or Hal-Flies for best results. Tenoroc has a 10-fish bag limit and 10-inch minimum length limit for crappie.

LAKE WOODRUFF. Located near DeLeon Springs, Woodruff is a 2,200-acre lake that first feeds into Lake Dexter, then in the St. Johns River south of Astor. FWC biologists have historically sampled quality-size crappie in Lake Woodruff spring electrofishing samples and anglers this year are reporting fish in the 2-2 ½ pound range are fairly common. Dan Boone of Riverbend Bait and Tackle recommends using a sunfly jig in mid-lake and minnows near the pads. Fisheries Biologist Joe Jenkins (904-985-7880) can provide more information.

LAKE WEIR. “We shouldn’t overlook this 5,685-acre water body located southeast of Ocala when talking about excellent speck lakes,” enthuses Commission Biologist Sam McKinney (352-732-1225). Crappie, which disappeared there in the mid-1980s, are back in healthy numbers following continuous Commission restoration and stocking programs. Lake Weir is unusual in that its open waters can range from 20- to 25-feet deep with some holes dipping from 30 to 34 feet, a far cry from most Florida lakes which are frequently described as “shallow saucers”.

During this annual Top-10 crappie survey, it should be stressed that many other Sunshine State lakes and rivers received enough enthusiastic votes that this sampling could (and maybe should) have been expanded to 20 or more sites. Here's a listing of some others getting high marks: Lake Kissimmee, Lake Istokpoga and Lake Marion (Polk County).   Lake George, the Oklawaha Chain,  Lake Jessup,  Lake Beauclair (where crappie average 2 pounds or more) are also very good speck fisheries.