Fishing this weekend-Need Help

[Rackersc]

I'm going to be fishing either the Purvis Beach or Coffman areas this weekend for Crappie. Can anyone tell me what depths they're at and where they're being caught? I haven't had a lot of success this year, any help would be greatly appreciated.

[catman70]

They're holding in 10-20' of water - many still with eggs. This screwy spring has throw everything off and it seems like they're bedding very deep this year. I'd used 1/16oz jig heads with minnows, hula skirts or swimming minnows. Troll these around and between docks with your trolling motor until you find the fish, and then concentrate on a spot once you catch one. You'll want to focus on the backs of coves. It doesn't seem like the fish have moved to the points yet.

Be careful out there this weekend! I think we'll be doing the majority of our fishing at night.

[gonefishin]

Catman: Nice Blue. Where did you catch it? Looks like a Osage river Blue to me.

[catman70]

Off my folk's dock in the back of a cove across from the Gravois Arm. We seem to be able to catch the big ones back there from March till June. I think they follow the schools of shad and crappie. I think this fish was between 30&40 lbs. Biggest one we figure would have gone 70 - that's why the name. I'll try to scan the photo and post it this afternoon or tomorrow morning so you can tell me what you think it would weigh.

[Rackersc]

Thanx for your time catman......it does seem like they're a lot deeper this year. I'm just not the best at catching them deep. Thanx again!

[catman70]

No problem. Let us know how you do.

[catman70]

No dice on that pic. It's permanently attached to the scrapbook. The fish's length is from my shoulders to the ground. It's as wide as my body. I'm 5'9" and 170lbs.

[Kayser]

Catman- any tips on how to get one of those monsters? I'm a catch and release only guy once the catfish get over 5 lbs, and I'm anxious to test my skills on one of those beasts.

Rob

[catman70]

I think they follow schools of shad and crappie around the lake. They come back into the coves from March till June, and I think the rest of the time they're out on the main lake. In the spring use live or cut shad or bluegill in cove channels 15-20' deep. The rest of the time it's a bit more tricky. Try drifting those same baits and large crawdads over shallow main lake points at night. If you have good electronics you can target the fish in open water below schools of baitfish, but I don't have good electronics.

[Kayser]

Thanks for the info- I might try to catch one of them the next time I'm down there. Also, do you catch many flatheads while fishing for those big blues? Never caught a flathead (though I've seen some caught), and I'm really interested in fighting a flathead, too.

Rob