5-16 Trip

[waterpossum]

Got on water about 9 a.m targeting crappie. Caught 1 nice keeper in 4' of water at first stop in Goocher and that was the last shallow fish I caught. Caught about a dozen short crappie, all at 25'. 2 keeper walleye,1 channel cat, 6 white bass and numerous black bass, all on blue and white slab slayer jigs. Nowhere did I graph fish of any numbers in less than 15'. They have pulled the lake a couple of feet this week. I did find a favorite spawning bank that had crappie nests, but unfortunately they were empty and just had a foot of water left on them. Seems that just when I think it's ready they get pulled back to the points and drop offs because of the water release. The biologist mentioned in an earlier article that one of the factors leading to a successful spawn was stable water levels. If that's the case the spawn may be shot. In past years by this time I'm fishing for post spawn crappie under the lights. Noticed one fisherman on here catching 6 slabs trolling crank baits in 20' which is usually a post spawn method. Talked to several people today and the best I heard was a boat that had 6 keeper crappie.

[rntmvp6]

If they continue to pull these lakes like they have this week, there will be many eggs left dry as the males will pull off guarding there nests. The key to a good spawn is stable water levels especially if the water offers cover for the new hatch.