Beaver Creek Crappie

[Phil Lilley]

Got the mowing done and landscape terrace cleared out... headed to the creek yesterday.  I almost turned into both K Dock and Swan Creek/Shadow Rock roads because I was apprehensive about putting in at Beaver.  But it was fine.  There's 2 places to put in at the park - and only one rig at one of them.  Didn't even get my feet wet.

I headed up and started straight back past the bluff on the left.  Found all kinds of brush in 10-14 feet of water and that's where the fish were.  They weren't in the brush closer to the banks.  I guess with the water coming up so fast, they're staying out for now.  They weren't that deep - may be 3-4 feet.

Caught probably 40-45.  Kept 13 nice ones.  Threw back may be 5 or more that were just 10 inches or a hair more.  Caught them all on 1/16th oz white jigs, 4 pound line.

Pics later... haven't cleaned them yet.  They're on ice.

Only one boat in the creek that I saw.  Couldn't believe there were more ppl out.  Perfect day.

[Phil Lilley]

Water temp 59-61 and good color.

[Phil Lilley]

I did catch a couple of sinkin' bass.  They were hitting shad on the surface within range of my cast.  One broke me off... try to horse him.

[Quillback]

Phil - Are you using marabou jigs or regular crappie type jigs?

[Phil Lilley]

My jigs... Lilley's Jigs.

 

[Phil Lilley]

Almost all females. Most has all their eggs. Some have spawned already. 

[fshndoug]

always fun

 

[DADAKOTA]

Looks like dinner to me

[dan hufferd]

Phil did you figure out how to cook those crappie so they aren't mushy?  I'm hit and miss when it come to crappie filets 

[Dutch]

I’m no Phil but here’s how I do it and mine aren’t mushy.  I’ve been doing it this way for lots of years for my wife and I and groups as large as 75.

1. cut the boneless fillets into at least 2 pieces 

2. soak them in a mixture of milk, egg and mustard

3. put corn meal into a gallon zip lock bag and drop the pieces into it

4. zip the bag and gently move it around coating each piece

5. place each piece into my hot canola oil Fry Daddy or fish fryer depending on amount being cooked

6. cook until golden brown (don’t over cook)