4-19-2014 Report

[Feathers and Fins]

I had all intentions of going up river this weekend but with reports of 58 degree temps in Clifty area my plans were changed with just reading that one report. Years have taught me that temperature means the crappie and whites will be in the 12 bridge area.

I launched out of Prairie Creek at 7:20 ( wanted to miss the tournament launch ) I went straight to the islands and started marking fish from 5fow to 30fow, on brush and on the flats and Basin area. I trolled flicker shad for a bit in #6 and #7 Pearl White and picked off whites at a rather nice pace from 14 to 17 inch size in the Basin area's ( Basins are the center flat between 12 bridge and the first island and the second island and the west bluffs )

After I played with them for a while I started working back over brush piles with Bobby Garland baby shad in white and found the crappie more than willing to bite. Spider rigging at .3mph was the perfect speed with lines set at 15, 12, 11, 9 fow along with casting the jigs past brush and slow swimming it over the tops.

I had enough for dinner and decided to try spider rigging for whites just for giggles. A word of warning when 4 10lb hybrids hit all 4 lines at one time it becomes very interesting .

That little interesting experience taught me to stop ( insert dirty word here ) with fish that are way to big for that method of fishing.

I pulled out the little white spoon ( Basspro XPS ) and preceded to abuse the hybrids for the trouble they gave me. just and FYI Hook Line and Sinker in Rogers is now carrying the spoons ( thanks AJ ).

It was a great day my arms are soar and plenty of fish for the table tomorrow.

[zarraspook]

EXCELLENT report !!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks for the details of where, when and what !!!!!

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you !!

Oh yea -- nice mess of fish !

[duckydoty]

Looks like you had some fun yesterday Scott. I like the spider rig! I was checking them out the other day. They are on the "when I get back from Alaska" toy list.

Great report!

[Feathers and Fins]

Duane; that is the Mr Crappie spider rig, light weight plastic and fully adjustable it was the best of all the brands I looked at for easy of installation and adjustability. Academy is where I got it. The only negative is the rod holder adjusting lock system sucked so I just took it off and used the screw on it, really don't know what they were thinking adding a ( quick lock ) when the screw system already on it was perfect.

[kjackson]

Nicely done. You are my hero. I think i have a game plan for tomorrow...

[Feathers and Fins]

Nicely done. You are my hero. I think i have a game plan for tomorrow...

Your report did it. 58 cold end means crappie and whites in the mid section. Truthfully I had all intentions of going up river but that report stopped me dead in my tracks and put me where I went.

Knowing the lake and how the water temps and wind affects the fish in each zone of it is key and when you posted 58 I had a very big smile on my face. I did see walleye on the aqua-vu but they were in no way biting. I used the spider rig to circle several areas of structure they were on but couldn't get them to go. Really need to hit 64 for them to get aggressive on lures so by next weekend I would bet on them.

[kjackson]

I continue to learn. I do like the 12 bridge area, and I only wish it was closer. I do need to figure out this end of Beaver so that I can head out for an hour or two when the urge strikes. Keep up the reports; they are great.

[gtdaero]

F&F

What lures do you put on the spider rigs?

[Feathers and Fins]

Bobby Garland baby shad in white

[Guest]

Is it possible to use that spider rig with a foot control TM?

I wanted your opinion before spending $150