Most anglers fish deeper water when big crappie don't turn up in the shallows. Deep water holds mystique; we believe it's where the lunkers live. But when it comes to crappie, more often than not you'll find Mr. Big in shallower water, not deeper -- and that's a boon for shorebound anglers.

Search for bank-fishing locales with access to the backs of out-of-the-way coves, the shoreline reaches of flooded willows and other shallow water. Or simply get repositioned so that you can cast your bait toward the bank instead of away from it. Wallhanger crappie may be in water barely deep enough to cover them.

Remember the precise locations where you catch, lose or see big crappie -- the specific stump, the particular bush, whatever. A return visit could turn up the barn door slab you missed, another trophy that moved in or a crappie that grew bigger after release.

BLUEGILLS
No species of fish is more tailor-made for bank-fishermen than the bluegill. These sunfish frequent shallow water most of the year and provide exciting fish-a-minute action for shorebound anglers of all ages. Many of us cut our angling teeth while bank-fishing for these bantam prizes.

Spring is the "good luck" season for bank-fishing bluegill fans. During the days just before spawning activity begins, bluegills go on a feeding frenzy to offset their reproductive growth spurt. They're feeding more, and so this is a great time to catch them.

Another fact in the angler's favor is the concentration of fish during the spawn. There may be a dozen nests in an area the size of a car, and there may be several beds of that size along a 100-yard stretch of shoreline. Because bluegills are holed up in the shallows, they're simple to find and easy to catch.

Offerings of small earthworms and crickets are rarely ignored. Wear polarized sunglasses so you can better see the clusters of dish-shaped nests, and then approach stealthily and cast your offering to the bed with just a single split shot to weight it. Keep your line tight, and when you feel the fish move off, set the hook with a gentle flick of the wrist.

Boat docks are hotspots for post-spawn bluegills. These structures provide shade, security and a smorgasbord of foods. Savvy bank-fishermen use a short, light spinning or spincasting outfit to skip, flip or ricochet a bait or lure into even the tightest areas. Use unweighted crickets or slow-falling artificials such as curlytail jigs to mimic falling insects. Flip these under the dock, and prepare for a strike as the bait falls.