Quote Originally Posted by JMS
First of all I want to say I've been coming and viewing this site for the past couple of weeks and really enjoy reading the posts and viewing the pics. I'm new to crappie fishing and really have no idea what i'm doing, but I want learn a few tricks of the trade. I live just outside of Star City and work in Monticello, so Cane Creek and Lake Monticello are easy for me to get to. I went to Cane Creek Saturday morning, got there about 8:00 a.m and had to leave about 9:30 a.m because my grandmother was rushed to the ER. Needless to say I didn't get to fish much, but I wasn't having any luck either. Saw a couple of black gentlemen catching some fish and it was all i could do not to go over and ask them what they were doing. I know some folks are pretty tight lipped when it comes to fishing so I didn't. If any of you fine folks would be so kind to give a poor soul some advice as to where to start in the world of winter crappie fishing it would be much appreciated. I know that spring is the time that all serious crappie fisherman live for, but my deep passion for turkey hunting might hinder me that time of the year. Anyway love the site and thanks in advance............JMS
Welcome, JMS! Glad to have a SE Arkie aboard. I have been having a blast down on CC the past couple of months. I have been successful (most days) slo-trolling rosey red minnows on 13' poles; fishing anywhere from 3-5.5' deep.

You can never really judge the fishing by how many the black guys out there are catching. It seems that they always catch when others aren't.:D I know they have frustrated the heck out of me a few times, but they really are the most easy going guys that will share everything that they know about the lake. Don't hesitate to hollar at 'em.

The crappie on that lake seem to be really weird to me. I still haven't really figured them out. You'll go without a hit for hours, and then all of the sudden, everyone will go to catching fish for about 20min and then they will quit. You will also catch 5-6 fish in one tiny spot, so if you find one, fish that little spot hard. Stick with them; you will find them eventually, and you'll be amazed at the size and fight of those big ol' black crappie. Good luck. CEB -