5-17-2014 Report

[1969Larson]

Whatcha catchin?

[hoglaw]

Crappie. But you can't help but catch some accidental bass, drum, and other stuff. We're fishing near alma. I was just wondering if the spawn is done FF. I'm sure the Arkansas has significantly warmer water temps by now and it seems like your fish were post spawn right?

[Feathers and Fins]

Full of eggs still

[hoglaw]

Good deal. Didn't mean to high-jack your thread with an Arkansas river report, but it just got me worried that the spawn was over. The fish we cleaned two weeks ago were full of yellow eggs as well.

Tell me this, do crappie eggs get "bloody" when they're ready to pop? Also, will a big cold front and cold rain like we just had prolong the spawn, or do they just go ahead and do their thing anyway? Finally, the areas we are catching fish are clearly spawning grounds. They're just off the main channel in flats where I don't think the fish would be but-for the spawn. When primary spawning activity is done, will some fish still hang around those flats or will they move back out to the main river channel which is very close by?

[Feathers and Fins]

Never paid attention to the eggs other than they were there I was going for the meat.... When they are done spawning typically I find them suspending over flats or along the channel edges.

[PDR]

In my experience their eggs will get loose and the membrane and blood vessels will become engorged. Many crappie will postpone their spawn till water temps suit them, and I've heard conditions can make them abandon their spawn and re absorb their eggs. Post spawn on beaver in my experience, is when most folks are catching them, they will scatter and remain shallow for a little while, before going to summer haunts. I have caught them spawn and post spawn north of rocky branch well into June and this year is going to be another example of that

[Feathers and Fins]

Good points PDR. Ive been following the spawn/active fish for a few weeks. they were up river about 6 weeks ago then at 12 bridge the last 3 and now at rocky branch for about 3 weeks then on to Starky area. You have to follow the active fish this time of year and then in summer be willing to do a ton of trolling on flats in deep water for suspended fish post spawn.