There are several ways you can build an attractor for both White and Black Crappie. The first thing to keep in mind is to keep your construction as natural as possible.

Too many times people get away from this concept when fishing. In performing this project or any other concept relating to fishing it is best to keep things simple and natural. What looks appealing to you might not look so well to the fish.

You first need to consider just what you are trying to accomplish. Yes you are building a device that will attract Crappie, but just how will your construction do this? Fish attractors work because they attract small fish and insects.

The Crappies move near the attractors for two reasons. First they give them a potential food source. Secondly they offer a form of protection again predation.

Remember Crappies are both predator and prey. Crappie needs hunting grounds that also offer them protection from the much larger fish they prey on them.

This is why tree work so well. The series of uneven branches on a tree offer the crappie small hiding places that large fish like Northern Pike, Musky or large catfish cannot hope to reach.

The best Crappie attractor you can build is simply put a tree. Many kinds of bushes will work also. The key concept you need to keep in mind is the need for many branches that offer hiding areas.

The best tree to use for this purpose would be an Evergreen tree. Evergreen tress have many branches and offer many hiding areas for the fish. They also are relatively light when compared to other trees, making them easy to work with. When picking a tree you should look for one with many branches of varying lengths and sizes.

I also advise selecting trees that once placed in the water will stand abut one foot under the surface of the water. If possible select an area of the lake that offers some wind protection. When you have a choice of locations be sure to find a place that is comfortable to fish.

A good Crappie attractor is very similar to a piece of real estate. Good location is the prime determining factor in the success or failure of the construction. Again remember why the attractor works. If you are trying to attract small fish and insects to your construction you should place it close to shore.

Crappie however also need some water depth. Ideally you want to place your attractor in six to ten foot deep water and as close to the shore as possible. Areas with a steep drop off from shore are excellent places for your construction.

To make an efficient Crappie attractor you should use a series of trees, at least five to seven evergreen trees. You want to place the trees in the water so that they have a base that rests on the bottom while the tree itself stands vertically as it would if it were alive and planted in the ground.

You can accomplish this by attaching the bottom of the tree to a base of at least one inch thickness and twenty four inches square. The base needs to be weighted so it sits on the bottom of the area of the lake you are placing it.

You then need to attach a flotation device of some kind to the top of the tree. It needs to be something that will cause the top of the tree to rise so it stands vertically. Leave about five to ten feet of separation between trees and place them in a circular formation.