Found in just about all of the Sunshine State's lakes, rivers, ponds and streams, tightly-bunched specks will move close in to shorelines in 3 to 6-foot depths during the year's cooler months to build nests and spawn. As waters warm up, they'll travel to deeper areas where water temperatures are cooler and more to their liking.

When specks are bedding or holding in lily pads, hyacinths, peppergrass, weed beds, stumps, submerged trees, brush piles or branches showing above or below the water's surface, most anglers simply lower an anchor near such spots and offer live Missouri minnows, grass shrimp, worms, crickets and/or grasshoppers. Some will employ small spinnerbaits or tiny yellow or white jigs. Even flyrodders frequently get in on the act using sinker-type flies.

During warmer months, many speck aficionados locate their quarry on or around deeper structure that will show on electronic fish finders. Others have success by slow trolling or drifting in open water with live bait or small jigs, either singly or in tandem.

Perhaps the most widely used speck rig is a long cane pole with a relatively short section of 8- to 20-pound test monofilament line, a bobber and a small wire hook. Placement of the bobber determines how deeply a bait will go. (see also fishing tips)

Generally, a majority of fish in an individual school will be at the same depth, and it sometimes takes a bit of patience and experimentation to locate this zone. Many speck buffs use one or two split shot near the hook in order to keep a live bait down in an area where expected activity will occur.

Locating a proper depth at which crappie are feeding is vital. Sometimes they'll be just a foot or two from the surface while at other times they may be a foot or two from the bottom.

Most of the crappie caught in Florida will scale between one-half and one-pound each. A two pounder is considered a good catch and one weighing three will give the catcher some sho 'nuff bragging rights. The Florida record for crappie is 3.13 pounds, while the world record stands at 4.8 pounds. To qualify for Florida's "Big Catch" angler recognition, you need to land a crappie 14 inches long or longer, or weighing at least 2.0 pounds. The "Big Catch" program is sponsored by eAngler.com and provides anglers with a certificate for catching a big fish, catching five of the same species will qualify you as a "Specialist."

Keep in mind that specks have extremely tender mouths and a hook that's set too hard will likely tear out. It's best to gently raise a rod or cane pole after a bobber has gone under and smoothly swing the fish aboard without giving it any slack line. On a dinner table, few freshwater fish rival a speck for taste. They're simply delicious.

No telling when or where we'll meet up with this finny critter in the Sunshine State as they're apt to be just about anywhere and everywhere. For an overview, noted fisheries biologists with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) have come up with what, collectively, they feel is a Top-10 list in no particular order. Also see our Fishing Sites/Forecast page for other popular fishing sites and quarterly angling forecasts.

TURKEY LAKE. This small 339-acre spot located just off International Drive in Orlando and recently designated as a Fab 5 locale in the Fish Orlando! program has rapidly become a favored crappie lake for resident and tourist anglers. Although lacking a launching ramp, pier and bank fishermen can, at times, make outstanding catches near brush and rock pile fish attractors, as well as at feeders. Rental boats on a limited basis, plus construction of an additional fishing pier, will soon make Turkey Lake even more "fisherman friendly," says biologist Jim Sweatman who can be contacted at (407) 510-0925 for details.

LAKE HARRIS. John Benton (352-742-6438) says we shouldn't be surprised if we catch some hard-fighting sunshine bass while targeting speckled perch in this 13,788-acre lake on the Oklawaha Chain at Leesburg. In cooler months, it may be wise to use Missouri minnows in shallow grassy areas and switching to Hal-Flies and Beetlespins when things warm up. Harris has two popular public fishing piers and several Commission fish attractors located within casting distance from shore. Launching ramps can be found at Hickory Point ($2), on Highway 27 (free) and near Venetian Gardens (free) in Leesburg.

LAKE MONROE. Thanks to an ongoing FWC habitat restoration project began in the late-1980s, this 9,400-acre water body near Sanford is regaining its reputation as a quality crappie lake, according to Fisheries Biologist Joe Jenkins (904-985-7880). With a 12-inch minimum size limit in effect, anglers here will have an opportunity to collect some real "slabs" by using small jigs, Bream Killers, Hal Flies or Beetlespins, along with live earthworms, crickets, Missouri minnows and grass shrimp.

LAKE TALQUIN. Located west of Tallahassee, this 8,800-acre reservoir, which produced the current Florida record for crappie (a fish weighing 3 pounds, 13-1/4 ounces) is always high on any speck angler's agenda. Due to submerged stumps and standing timber, boaters are urged to use caution when venturing out in search of another record crappie. Numerous fish camps located off State Road 267 south of Quincy have launching sites. For up-to-date information, contact Rich Cailteux at (850) 627-9674.

LAKE OKEECHOBEE. While the "Big O" isn't what it was because water levels are being held at above 15 feet, thus killing productive bottom grass cover, speck anglers can still do well by picking their spots, said veteran fisheries biologist Dan McCall (863-763-4666). McCall suggests the mouth of the Kissimmee River, Government Cut, Harney Pond Canal, Fisheating Bay and the Rim Canal for the best results. A word of warning: This may be the last time Lake Okeechobee will be recommended to speck anglers unless the water level is lowered for an extended length of time in order for the lake's aquatic vegetation to recover.

LAKE WIER. "We shouldn't overlook this 5,685-acre water body located southeast of Ocala when talking about excellent speck lakes," enthuses Commission Biologist Sam McKinney (352-732-1225). Crappie, which disappeared here in the mid-1980s, are back in healthy numbers following continuous Commission restoration and stocking programs. Lake Wier is unusual in that its open waters can range from 20- to 25-feet deep with some holes dipping from 30 to 34 feet, a far cry from most Florida lakes which are frequently described as "shallow saucers."

TENOROC FISH MANAGEMENT AREA. Think quality when venturing here for crappie, especially in the facility's unreclaimed lakes, advises Dannon Moxley (863-499-2421). With its 14 (more to come) intensely managed lakes, Tenoroc, near Lakeland, has gained a deserved reputation as being one of the world's leading all-around fishing sites for bass, bream and specks. Open to the public four days per week, it's advised to call ahead for a reservation before planning a mini safari to this popular place. Moxley suggests using Missouri minnows, Beetlespins, 1/8-ounce Cotee Jigs or Hal-Flies for best results.

LAKE WALK-IN-WATER. Located east of Lake Wales, 7,523-acre W-I-W gets high marks for its super speck hauls both in bedding season and during the warmer months when anglers drift or slow troll in open areas with Missouri minnows. Biologist Marty Mann (407/846-5300) points out that FWC's recent lake enhancements, combined with a minimum of shoreline development, have contributed to a magnificent all-around freshwater fishery. A public and a private launching ramp is located at the end of Walk-In-Water Road off Highway 60. Alternate contact: Tim Coughlin (863) 648-3202

LAKE MARIAN. For those "in the know," shallow 5,739-acre Lake Marian, located east of Haines City, appears on most lists of Top-10 speck sites. During the cooler months, crappie move in to the bulrushes, cattails and lily pads to spawn. In warmer months, they're found by drifters and slow trollers in open water areas. Cane polers are likely to employ Missouri minnows here, while those using light spinning tackle claim nothing beats Hal-Flies or Beetlespins. Biologist Marty Mann (407-846-5300) notes this lake is also famous for its often spectacular bluegill and shellcracker fishing.

LAKE ISTOKPOGA. Tom Champeau (941-648-3202) is always "high" on Istokpoga's red-hot crappie fishing, since the lake annually records one of Florida's highest crappie catch ratios. The biologist also points out these fish run larger than normal, averaging between 10 and 12-inches in length. Here again, Missouri minnows, Hal-Flies and Beetlespins are the most popular angler baits and lures. Launching ramps are available at several fish camps including Henderson's, Mossy Cove, Cypress Isle RV & Marina, and Trails End. 27,000-acre Lake Istokpoga, which also plays host to numerous major and minor bass tournaments, is located southeast of Sebring.

During this annual Top-10 crappie survey, it should be stressed that many other Sunshine State lakes and rivers received enough enthusiastic votes that this sampling could (and maybe should) have been expanded to 20 or more sites. Here's a listing of some others getting high marks: Lake Kissimmee, Lake George, the Oklawaha Chain, Eagle Lake, Lake Jessup, Johns Lake, Lake Woodruff, Lake Beauclair (where crappie average 2 pounds or more), Lake Kennansville, Saddle Creek Park, Lake Reedy, Lake Arbuckle, Lake Rosalie, Lake Tiger, Lake Pierce and the Waccasassa River.