Adventures of Pickthorne

[ceb]

Decided that I'd try Lake Pickthorne over by Jacksonville for the first time yesterday, since Conway was high and muddy (after seeing CP's report, I'm kickin' myself). It's a pretty good lake, but now I know why Dafshklr said it can be a tough lake to fish. I started out the day searching the deeper water (to 17-18'), but found out really quick that the deep water is more like "holes" than a channel. Before I knew it, I'd be out of the hole and in 6' of water. Super-sharp dropoffs. Didn't catch anything but a headache, and gave it up after a couple hours. I really wanted to just drift fish across the lake, but wouldn't ya know...NO WIND! Where's it at when you need it? Felt a lot like July out there! I was fishin' in my shorts by mid-morning and sweatin' like a pig!

Needless to say, that place is extremely crowded...not on the water, but the parade of folks driving around the lake. And they wouldn't just stare as they drove by...but rather stop and stare at you for 10-15 minutes. Also lots of shady lookin' characters hanging around there. Got a call from LRJoe and he informed me that there was a gang fight there last week...so then I was thinkin' great...they could hit me from anywhere on the lake!

Anywho, I ended up drift fishing (with the TM!) across the lake starting at about the SE fishing pier and heading NW. Found lots of holes but not much deeper than 8'. Ended up finding a few of those SLABS that was mentioned a few weeks ago. Had a shallow pole set at 1' and caught a hog on it. Ended up catching about 10 keeper fish from 5" deep to 2' deep over that 7-8' of water. Released at least 20 crappie from 5"-9" long. Had 3 good fish above 15", and I lost 5 that were bigger than that at the boat. I'm definately not a mathematician, but I figure that catching a fish 5" deep on a 13' pole had something to do with it! The crappie were fired up being that shallow...dancin' on top of the water like a bass. And being so shallow, they were on the surface right at the hookset. Best believe that I'm gonna be better prepared for 'em next time.

They bit on any color jig tipped with a rosy, but didn't want anything to do with just a straight rosy. Thanks to all for the tips on the lake. It won't be my last trip, but it's gonna be hard not to point the truck in the direction of Conway.



Watched the big birds fly all day long...wonder how much fuel that adds up to?


Thought this one was gonna drop a paratrooper in the boat with me...


And you know the water's pretty muddy when you can't hardly see the crappie...


Three big'uns that I managed to win the battle with...


And notice there wasn't any ice left in the cooler by the end of the day...Did I mention it was hot???

[gasper_goul]

i know how hard it is to fish a place for the first time so kudos for hanging in there catching some nice fish...yea..long pole + shallow fish=a lost one every now and then...i just added an extension to my dip net for that same reason...used an old shower curtain of all things...lol...you have alot of spectators on lake monticello too riding the levy and watching...i don't liked to be watched either...thx for the pics and report

[luvpt]

Sounds like you turned it into a good day after all, Chris. Those are some really good lookin' slabs. This rain has limited the crappie fishing holes for sure at least in this area. I was thinking about trying Belcoe tomorrow but a friend told me it would prob be as muddy as a choc mildshake with the cropland runoff. I guess I will head back down to Darbonne in the morning to try for some more Louisiana Sacs.

[ceb]

Yep, I added an old mop handle to mine...but still can't stretch it out that far. I think my biggest problem was using the 1/16 oz jigs with the small hook. By the time you get your tube and stick a rosy on it...there's not much hook left, but really hasn't been a problem before?

And luvpt, you make me sick talkin' bout going down to D'Arbonne. I love that lake. Hope you have a good trip, but I have a feeling that the catchin' won't be a problem for you...

[CrappiePro]

Nice slabs Ceb way to go for your first time at Pickthorn, ust to live right down the street from that lake. Drifted that west side and slipbobbered minnows 2-4 feet in the timber line back along the NE corner to catch em. Great Job. CP

[dafshklr]

Chris - It is a HARD lake to fish but giving the conditions I would have attacked it the same way this time of year. That 5-7 foot range is post typical spawn pattern for that lake. Good job!

If you can find the "row of stump beds" in that area, you can wear the hawgs out pretty consistently!

[L.A. stumpjumper]

A good catch Chris, thanks for the report and pictures.

[ceb]

Thanks for the tips guys. I went back out there yesterday, but with not as much success as the first trip. I pulled out with dozen 10-13" fish, and caught a lot of small ones again. Same 6-7' depths. It was cloudy all day, so I'm blaming that for the lack of good fish... Rain started about 1:30 and I didn't get a bite after it started. Hauled tail out of there when I saw the first few lightning strikes at about 3pm...figured it was either leave or become a statistic holding a 13' lightning rod in my hand...

[CastandBlast]

Nice catch for first time out on the lake.....good call on the lightening