Crappie Report Today

[Phil Lilley]

I've been hearing about these crappie and got the hankering to catch some. Bull Shoals or Table Rock... break in the rain... not much wind... headed to Bridgeport.

Water stained= 12 inches of visibility and 43 degrees. Not good. Called Babler and he said Chris T was catching whites down the arm. I had never boated much below the bridge so I was alittle intimidated heading down. He described the area - 8 miles down. You know some of the big coves look alot like the main lake but I didn't lake any wrong turns. I found the spot finally but I couldn't locate the whites. Water there was 52 and good color.

So I went back to what I came for- crappie.

Headed back up towards the bridge, only went a couple of miles and saw a dock sitting on a bluff bank. It was in 60 feet of water- tossed a white 1/8th oz jig in the stall and hooked something- a crappie. They were about 6-10 feet deep. Caught about 20- kept 12. Didn't have anything to measure fish with so I made sure they were well over 10 inches. Not many under 10 I don't think.

Great evening- beautiful clouds and sunset. The bluffs are gorgeous. Accidently left the camera in the truck.

[denjac]

Phil, around 3 weeks ago I was up there and some folks were catching crappie in peach orchard cove. Its the first big cove upstream from the bridge on the right, about a mile if that. There is a nice cut on the left hand side full of laydowns and stickups . They were catching them there . Also the point on the left hand side had some whites on it . It turns into a mud flat not too far from the point . Also a good long dock on the right side going in that had alot of empty slips . How did you like the ramp ? Hope you didnt use the concrete one , you have to have all 4 wheels of your truck in the water to launch. The gravel one next to it is better although there is a hump behind it you might hit if you dont have your motor trimmed up high .

[Phil Lilley]

I did use the concrete ramp and had no trouble, although I don't have 4-wheel drive. Looked like they were using the long gravel flat to the left of the ramp but it seemed too soft for me to drive on.

I didn't stay too long there in the bridge area because of the water temp. I thought 43 was too cold, esp after hearing it was in the high 50's not long ago. The brown color didn't bother me.

Glad I went down lake. It's only a 40 minute drive over there - I may have to head over again soon.

[Dutch]

43° water up in the James. I figured it would be like 50+. We had 53-55° on Pom last Saturday.

[Phil Lilley]

Had to been the rain from the weekend.

[Bill Babler]

Have you checked your surface temp gauge? Chris said the temps on the flats you were fishing for whites was 59 degree. When I was up there a couple of days ago, I was also reading 58/59. I bet you are a few degrees off.

[denjac]

I bet you are a few degrees off.

Thats not very nice .

[Sam]

Phil - I fish the James River arm for crappie and white bass a lot. It's an easy drive from Ozark.

When I'm fishing anywhere from Virgin Bluff (two short bends below Bridgeport) upstream, I put in at Bridgeport like you did. From there I can fish clear up to Galena until the water gets too shallow for my boat - usually around Blunk Hole. The far upstream is usually a white bass deal in the spring, but I've got numerous crappie holes in between.

If I'm going downstream, below Virgin Bluff, I drive west a few miles past the bridge at Bridgeport and put in at Cape Fair instead. There's a launch fee in the warm months, but the ramp and the parking are better. From there I often fish down to Buttermilk Springs and a little beyond, and rarely clear down to where the James and White River arms meet. I've got the whole James arm covered that way. If you're going downstream much from Bridgeport, it's better to put in at Cape Fair.

The weather looks pretty good for tomorrow, Friday, and I think I'll go pester those crappie.