Fellows 3/11/15 and ?

[crappiekayaker]

I took the day off yesterday, it was just too nice to work. At sunup, the fog blanketed the lake when I launched my kayak. I’m not sure how many crappie I caught (If I had to guess 25, give or take) but I brought home 11. All fish where caught in or outside brush, in about 35-40 foot of water. The smaller fish seemed to be deeper. They seemed to be sporadically spread out within the water column, making it hard to judge the depth of my lure. Most of my fish were caught before 9:00am, once the fog burnt off the fish shut off.

Water temp: 38 – 39.9 F

Depth: 35-40ft

Time fished: 7:30 – 10:45am

Bait: Bobby Garland; Baby shad

I’m going to fish Springfield Lake tonight, I’ll report if I find anything. I went Tuesday night and could not get a nibble.

I do have a question: is it common for crappie to spawn this deep and this early? A few females I caught had eggs and a few males started turning color. Although, I did not see any evidence of scaring from bed making. Is this just a fluke or has anyone else seen this? Thanks for any info.

[slabstacker]

I went this afternoon thinking it would be go before the weather hit, couldn't get a bite. I could see some on my finder around brush, guess they were not hungry. As for the females with the eggs and the males changing color they will do that from here until the end of the month, they are not spawning yet just starting to make eggs and get ready. They do spawn deep at fellows though, the depth changes year to year that they will bed in. When the water hits 55 degrees the males will move up and start to fan out a bed and then when the water hits 58 to 60 degrees the females will move in and they will spawn. The females will leave out but the males will stay for a while and guard the nest. It should be easy to find them, just go to were you are catching them now to go straight for the bank and you will find them. You can figure out how deep they spawn by taking a white jig and dropping it in to the water, watch it until you cant see it any more, then lift your rod and see how may feet deep that was and that is around the depth they will spawn.

[crappiekayaker]

Thanks for the info. I figured the spawn would be a few weeks away, being that the water temp is so cold. I had no idea that they would start getting ready 32-35+ feet deep. I hope this rain warms the water a bit and gets them fired up.

I'd like to find them doing their thing this spring. It always seems I’m an hour and a day late, when it comes to the spawn.

[Aggressor1988long]

I have always caught spawning crappie in fellows in 4-10 feet of water. Just give it a few weeks youll start to see them moving up shallow,,about 50-55 degrees.

[Aggressor1988long]

They love the grass beds in the smaller coves, my friend mike wester fished the lake for years.

[slabstacker]

Yea I hear you crappiekayaker it seems like all the stars have to align on the perfect day to catch them spawning but it sounds like you have a few pinned down for now so I bet you wont have trouble finding them. Agressor pretty much hit the nail on the head, if you can find some grass in that depth with the water temp were it needs to be there will probably be some crappie there.

[crappiekayaker]

This is the first year I've done good, out there. Although; I do have to say, the only reason I have them pinned is due to my fishfinder. Without it, I'd be at a loss. I've located some grass beds on the north side of the lake I plan on fishing here in a few weeks.

[crappiekayaker]

Oh, I didn't fish Springfield yesterday. The rain put a damper on that for me.