James Crappie Trip on Saturday

[Don House]

Went out on Saturday with Clients, had a good day of crappie fishing up the James. Went up to bridgeport and started on the bluffs, caught 3 keepers and jigs, but then slowed and started to catch all shorts. Moved on up to flat creek and fished the bluffs just before and into flat creek. Fishing really picked up we had three for four spots where we boated 5-8 keepers at a time. Found fish shallow and right on the bank at all locations, Bluffs and Flats, Also found a good bite just behind the dock walkways.

All fish came on Red and White / Red and Chart 1/8 ounce jigs. Had to be bouncing off the bottom to get the bite, Even on the bluff banks in water from 3 - 16 feet. Ended up with a total of 27 10-12 inch crappie all of these were male fish. Females just have not moved up yet. But with weather reports showning 80's this week for 3-4 days in a row here we go!!! Water temps were from 59 in the morning to 62.5 in the afternoon. Sorry no pictures, it was prom night and my wife took the camera for that. But the clients were eating good last night!!

Rick Lapoint went way up the White with his clients to SKMO area and had 16 keepers but he was telling me they were all toads!! All over the 13" range, Water up there was not over 60 degrees, so it looks like they will be a week behind the James for the spawn. I'm going back up Long Creek today to see what I can find, hope the cold snap did not drag them back to deep water.

I'm booked out everyday for the next two week with guide trips will keep you guys informed to the crappie progress in just about all river arms.

Good Fishing