Crappie Fisherman

We killed a few canvasbacks on Bull Shoals last year right after the big cold front.

They're still deep up Long Creek. 25-30 feet of water in the channel. Caught several big females trolling on Sunday full of eggs.

Found 56 way up the Kings last week, 51 by the dam yesterday, 54 up the James today.

They operate all of the dams as a whole. Could be units out at other projects or lake levels are too low elsewhere to generate. The Corps will only override their generation for flood control operations. In this case, it would be if Table Rock gets over 917'. Running water is good this time of year, otherwise the DO would be much lower.

Did you keep track of water temp?

Had an almost identical day up Long and Cricket Creek today. The floating debris was definitely the key for scratching out a couple limits. The other fish were one per tree or log, if you were lucky you might get two in the same spot. All were caught in 3-8 feet of water hanging tight to wood. A few small males were right on the bank, but all by themselves.

Was at Kdock yesterday. Lots of leaves and small sticks in the water making it difficult to fish, but the main lake water was clear. Every small creek and cove was very muddy though. Lots of fish on the depth finder in the creeks but couldn't get anything to bite. Water temp was about 44.

The main lake ramp is open. Flat creek is frozen and under the 76 bridge had ice yesterday. Most coves are froze up. At dark the bend at virgin bluff was icing up last night.

You have to download the free software for humminbird or lowrance to convert the .gpx file into one that those units will read. Once it's converted you can load it right onto your unit. Or, easygps will put it on your handheld unit.

Recruitment of crappie is very inconsistent in Table Rock. Last few years we've been reaping the bounty of a big year class of fish produced in the high water in 2008. Next year should be much better as the fish produced in 2011 will be 10".

I think that front shut down your bite Monday. Kept a limit and released about half that many keepers today fishing brushpiles in 10-12' around Bridgeport. Minnows were the ticket and had to get them down in the brush. They didn't want to come out of it to hit the jig. Water temp was perfect at 59. Lots of 9 3/4 inch black crappie caught, next spring will be good.

Anyone been chasing crappie this fall and willing to share a little info? Should be getting good with the water cooling down. Thanks.

Went spearfishing last weekend near Tucker Hollow. Crappie were loaded in the brushpiles in 18-20 feet, mainly in the creek arms. Bass were hanging in the brush in the 12-20 foot range. Some nice ones around the signed brushpiles. Lots of big catfish too.

Starting now through December the brushpiles in the Indian Creeks and from Baxter up to Big Bay will hold crappie. Many have signs on the shoreline but if you have a GPS you can find the rest of them: http://egis.mdc.mo.gov/fishattractorstablerocklake/. Should be excellent up there this fall, two to three years after the 2008 flood, the crappie fishing was fantastic over there. The flood in 2011 produced quite a few new papermouths as well and they'll be legal this year. I can't wait to get over there and try it.