Crappie

Crappie anglers visiting Warsaw, Virginia, should focus their attention on the Rappahannock River and its tributaries. This area offers a diverse range of habitats, from shallow, weedy flats to deeper, submerged structure, all holding crappie. Spring is undoubtedly the best time, as crappie move into the shallows to spawn. Look for them around submerged brush, docks, and fallen trees in the creeks and backwaters off the main river channel. As the water warms in the summer, crappie tend to move deeper, so focus on structure in 10-15 feet of water. Minnows under a bobber or small jigs are consistently effective. The public ramp at Sharps Wharf is a good starting point, but explore the smaller creeks like Totuskey Creek for more secluded fishing. The crappie in the Rappahannock system are known for their good size and numbers, so you stand a great chance of landing a memorable catch.