4/21 Trip

[straw hat]

We thought that with the cooler weather that the crappie would have dropped deeper so our first stop was a drop off near where we had caught some recent spawners on Maze Creek (59 degrees). Three hours and only one keeper there. Went to two more places but there were people on both so wound up on a steep chunk rock bank not too far from Springfield Cove. Got there at 1 pm and started out catching them at 12' deep over 20' of water. A lot of 6 and 7 inchers (good news for future years) and an occasional keeper. Water was a little dirty with about 2' visibility but 63 degrees.. About 6:30 PM they started coming up close to the bank and going crazy. By 7:45 we both had our limits. Most of those in the evening were 11 to 13" and were caught 10" deep. Nearly all these fish had spawned. We also caught 4 nice whites (12 to 14") and a small cat. After a really slow start it turned out OK but it sure was a long day. I was suprised at the water at the CC bridge, it was real dingy and even a little floating brush here and there. Lots of people were out today, I hope all you OA people did well!

[WakenLake]

Got stumped today at Aldridge. Caught two keeper crappie but not enough action for 6 hours of fishin. Caught some bass here and there but all babies.

[Learnin' Keith]

Glad to hear you had a decent day! I too got to get out there today and do my part. I dropped my little Jon boat in at Springfield cove around 9:30 this morning went up into the cove and caught 5 crappie in the first 45 minutes! 1-8"; 1-9"; 2-10"s; and 1-12"! All were in 4 fow over rock. Three keepers might not be great but it's better than being at work!!! After 10:30 I couldn't even get a bite in the shallows so I trolled out to a couple points but no luck there. Called it quits around 2 so it sounds like I missed the evening rush! Oops! Next time!!

[sandbc]

straw hat. heres a tip you might try next time you get into a lot of small crappie at a certain depth. try going 3 to 5 feet below that level if you can get your bait past the little fellows. sometimes the big guys hang out below a school of small fish. glad to here everyone is catching fish. once again i had to work on sat. thats 3 in a row now. bad timing. i tried to go sunday . took my wife so she could try out my new to me boat but wind beat us up and then the clouds rolled in and made it to cold for her. dont tell her i said so but i think she is bad luck. the weather always turns bad when i take her. good luck everyone and catch one for me.

[straw hat]

That is a good tip sandbc. I have used that technique many times. Especially true when fishing for suspended crappie in open water. Sorry to hear you have had to work on Saturdays recently. Sucks, but hang in there your time is a coming.