Crappie

Crappie fishing near Sand City requires a bit of a drive, but the reward can be worth it. Head to lakes like Lake Nacimiento or Lake San Antonio where crappie populations thrive. Spring is the peak season, as the crappie move into shallow coves and around submerged structure to spawn. Use small jigs or live minnows suspended under a bobber near brush piles, docks, and submerged trees. A local tip is to focus on areas with slightly stained water, as the crappie tend to be less skittish. Also, be mindful of wind conditions; even a light breeze can make boat control and presentation difficult. Crappie in this area can be surprisingly large, with some fish exceeding two pounds, so use light line but be prepared for a good fight around cover.