Thread: New crankbait victim alert!

I sneaked off at daylight for 3 hours Wednesday morning to check the crank bite. I ended up with 8 keepers and lost several that came off right at the boat. I wasn't thrilled about a trip like this until I heard that several good crappie fishermen on KY Lake had really tough mornings that day.

Thursday was one of those days that running in circles 100 mph with my hair on fire was accomplishing little so I decided to head to the lake around 4. I had asked my Dad then a new member here to go but both had prior commitments so I broke down and called "bubbacolson", a friend and new member here. Sadly, he was free to go. We headed out at 4.

I ran my electronics over some typically good areas and was disappointed with the lack of baitballs in areas that had good current. I'm sure a brisk NE wind wasn't helping. I explained to Bubba how I set up my gear and got the boat in position to start letting lines out. I had not even got a bait wet and Bubba only had one crank out when he hooked into a keeper. Quick study, I guess? We trolled back and forth on one of my normally good areas and only picked up another keeper and I lost a good crappie just as it got to the surface when we could see it. A couple more hours of hit or miss trolling around different areas only produced a total of 4 keepers plus a couple of decent catfish for the table.

I'm afraid I've created another monster. Now there is another guy who will be in the market for all sorts of tackle. He also got a lesson in how bad catfish can tangle up 8 lines and how quickly those lines can be cleared with patience and a sharp knife. Just make sure the bait is safely INSIDE the confines of the boat when it is cut off the line. Stinks to lose a bait by dropping it over the side and watching it sink.

Had a ball Bubba. I'm sure it won't be our last trip.

Good report. Glad you got some fishing therapy.