Windy crappie fishing conditions can be a challenge, but with proper lure selection and boat control, catch a pile of slab crappie is as easy as calm weather days. When wind is a variable, deploying the best boat control and lure selection are critical. Watch Al Lindner and Ty Sjodin battle windy conditions to catch big crappies.
Tackling Wind and Weedlines: Early Summer Crappie Fishing
Relentless wind, gusting up to 30 miles per hour, sets the tone for a classic early summer crappie hunt.
Al Lindner jokingly observes that wherever he and Ty Sjodine go, the wind seems to follow. But these seasoned anglers are undeterred. They know the crappie are there, set up in the right places, and the challenge is convincing them to bite in rough conditions. Confidence is high: “Can we complete the task?” Al asks. “I think we’ve done it enough times now—I think we can make it happen.” 
Moments later, Al connects with a true slab. “Big, big, big one,” he calls out. The fish fights like a bass but surfaces to reveal the day’s first trophy crappie—large, beautiful, and proof that even in punishing winds, the bite is on.
Finding the Fish: Post-Spawn Patterns and Weedline Hotspots
The key to success today? Understanding crappie behavior during the post-spawn period. Al explains how, shortly after spawning, crappies begin migrating to weedlines, especially areas where cabbage is developing. The fish settle in depths ranging from 7 to 15 feet, often along the emerging weed edges.
This particular window—right before the dense “junk weed” chokes out prime cabbage—is one of the best times of the year to target crappies. Sparse vegetation makes it possible to present a bait cleanly, and when conditions align, the action can be fast and furious.
Ty lands a female crappie and points out how coloration helps distinguish spawning males from post-spawn females. While males turn black during the spawn, the pale coloration of his catch signals a fish on its way out of the breeding phase. “If you’re going to eat a crappie,” Ty remarks, “I would eat that all day long. The ones Al’s been catching, I’d throw those back—those are good spawners.”
A Mixed Bag of Surprises
One of the joys of early summer fishing is the unpredictability. Al and Ty laugh as they encounter unexpected bonus species—walleyes and bass mixed right in with the crappies. “When you’re catching walleyes mixed in with crappies, you just never know what you’re going to catch,” Ty says, landing a crappie so large he mistook it for a walleye. “It fought so well… just that big.”
In Minnesota and the surrounding five-state region, crappies like these are worth targeting. And on days like this—when trophy slabs keep hitting the net—the unpredictability is part of the appeal.
The Power of Presentation: Tackle and Techniques
Crappie fishing has evolved, and today’s arsenal reflects just how technical the pursuit has become. Al and Ty employ a wide range of tackle: floats, hard baits, jigs—each tailored to specific conditions. In the stiff wind, swimming a jig has proven most effective.
Artificial baits have also become central to the strategy. Among their top choices:
• Rapala X-Rap — Ideal for 3–10 feet of water, this bait features a hunting action and a neutral suspension that drives crappies wild.
• VMC Curl Tail Spinnerbait: A reliable producer throughout the season, especially effective in varied cover like weeds and wood.
• Neon Moon Eye Jig: Paired with plastics, its aspirin-shaped head, 3D eyes, and sturdy hook make it a go-to for swimming presentations.
Big Bite Baits:
◦ 2-inch Fat Grub: Excellent tail action with minimal movement.
◦ Kamikaze Swim-On: A ribbed body and versatile tail offer two rigging options for varying fall rates.
Lindner Panfish Special: A hybrid jig featuring a soft body and feathered tail—irresistible to crappies.
And the results speak for themselves. Al lands another tank: “Boy, he’s just an absolute tank… one of the funnest times to catch crappies is that early summer weedline bite.”
Equipment Matters: Precision Rods and Reels
Great fishing calls for great gear. Ty introduces the St. Croix Avid Panfish Rod, a rod specifically engineered for light-tackle panfish applications. Constructed with an SC3+ Carbon blank and a precision cork handle, the rod is praised for its unmatched sensitivity and lightweight design.
Paired with the Daiwa Legalis LT1000 reel—LT meaning “Light and Tough”—the setup is perfectly balanced. “You don’t want to put a real heavy reel on this,” Ty explains, underscoring the importance of matching gear for optimal performance.
Tackle Innovations for Finesse Fishing
One of the most exciting advancements in line is theintroduction of Sufix Revolve, a new line specifically designed for finesse fishing.
With its silky smooth castability and ultra-lightweight design, Revolve enables anglers to present tiny panfish baits effortlessly—even in adverse wind conditions. It’s a game-changer for targeting crappies with microjigs, giving anglers both the sensitivity and casting distance required to fish over expansive weed flats.
The Importance of the Right Rod
Success in these conditions also hinges on the right rod setup. The featured St. Croix Avid Panfish rod in a 7-foot, medium-light, extra-fast model, offers the reach and responsiveness needed to cast light jigs over dense weed beds. Especially when dealing with wind, a longer rod becomes crucial—not optional. It enables greater coverage of the water column, enhances accuracy, and improves the ability to detect subtle bites.
Strategic Boat Positioning and Presentation
Given the strong winds on the day of filming, boat positioning became a critical part of the strategy. Slip drifting across promising weed beds, then using Minn Kota’s new QUEST trolling motor to hold precise positions, allowed for repeatable, accurate casts.
This motor delivered exceptional power and boat control even in heavy wind, helping the anglers stay locked on fish-holding structure without being blown off course. Casting directly downwind minimized line drag and improved bait presentation.
Understanding Northern Crappie Habitat
The crappies were found along a long, block-length breakline rich in vegetation—especially cabbage beds. Unlike southern lakes where wood and man-made brush piles dominate, northern crappies typically relate to weed cover throughout most of the season.
As summer progresses, “junk weed” begins to fill in and outcompete cabbage, making it crucial to target these premium weed structures early in the season before they get choked out.
Modern electronics, including side imaging, down imaging, and MEGA Live, played a key role in identifying bottom transitions, bait concentrations, and active fish zones. These tools offered a real-time look at how crappies were holding tight to vegetation, allowing the anglers to adjust tactics and target high-percentage areas.
Peak Crappie Time: Spring into Early Summer
Spring transitioning into summer is arguably prime time for crappie fishing in the northern U.S. and Canadian regions. Not only are the fish active and aggressive, but the overall fishing quality for multiple species—walleye, pike, bass—is at its seasonal peak. As host Al Lindner mentioned, June and October are his favorite months of the year to be on the water due to their consistent productivity and beauty.
