Thread: Comn’ Cali Crappie guys, there is no need to be shy!

Originally Posted by robbor

Im pushing 40 to, lol. Ive fished indian but since the lake got so low alot fewer crappie. Ill be in nor cal fishing all spring. yell if you want some company. rob
ever try bullards bar for crappie?

Hi Rob, I was at Indian Valley Res two years ago and caught a bunch under 10 inches and didn't keep any. Wanted them to grow out but we had a horrible drought last year and haven't been back. As you know, the dirt road to reach the ramp isn't the most kind especially hauling a 17 footer behind.

Never fished for crappie at bullards. Heard about it though. I took some Boy Scouts camping out there one year and way too many day boaters.

I've tried Collins one summer night and only one male crappie. No hope at all. Collins doesn't put in the effort to grow out crappie. However, lake is infested with stock trouts from private companies and if your lucky, free ice cream.

Originally Posted by robbor

Im pushing 40 to, lol. Ive fished indian but since the lake got so low alot fewer crappie. Ill be in nor cal fishing all spring. yell if you want some company. rob
ever try bullards bar for crappie?

Hey Rob...what Lakes you mostly going to be fishing this spring? Brent

39 here. I absolutely love crappie fishing! Unfortunately I have really only done it in Louisiana (Cross Lake) and Arkansas (Nimrod & Ouchita) when I have gone back there to visit grandparents. Here in California I have caught white and black crappie in the Delta sloughs and black crappie in the dredger ponds along the Feather River between Gridley and Oroville. I really need to start Crappie Fishing more here in Nor Cal!

Oh my pic is of a 5lb Drum I caught out of Nimrod Lake in Arkansas while Crappie fishing. I was hoping it was going to be a monster Crappie but wasn't the case!

Originally Posted by BPcrappie

39 here. I absolutely love crappie fishing! Unfortunately I have really only done it in Louisiana (Cross Lake) and Arkansas (Nimrod & Ouchita) when I have gone back there to visit grandparents. Here in California I have caught white and black crappie in the Delta sloughs and black crappie in the dredger ponds along the Feather River between Gridley and Oroville. I really need to start Crappie Fishing more here in Nor Cal!

Oh my pic is of a 5lb Drum I caught out of Nimrod Lake in Arkansas while Crappie fishing. I was hoping it was going to be a monster Crappie but wasn't the case!

Hello BPcrappie, thanks for the information. I had a feeling there would some crappies in the Dredger ponds, always wondered about it when I passed by to Collins Lake.

I got the opportunity to spend a week in the midwest a few years ago and learned how to spider rig. It was fun and effective, but too bad we are limited to two poles out here. The upside is that it is so peaceful fishing for crappies in Cali because no one seems to go for them. I was at Stonyford Reservior one early summer and hit a pod of crappies in some 20ft laydown trees. The two of us limited out in an hour keeping all over 10". This bass guy pulls up and asked how I plan to cook those CARP. I kept secrets in the cooler and said, "probably fry em". He responded, "good luck with the smell buddy!" We all laughed together, but what he did not know was that we were laughing at him. That evening, I took some fried crappie over to his camp and he was shocked how good the CARP's tasted. That just tells you how much most fisherman in Cali do not know about crappies out here.

Sorry for the long winded reply. Just too many funny fishing stories over the years of lonely crappie fishing in CA.

Originally Posted by lol11

Hello BPcrappie, thanks for the information. I had a feeling there would some crappies in the Dredger ponds, always wondered about it when I passed by to Collins Lake.

I got the opportunity to spend a week in the midwest a few years ago and learned how to spider rig. It was fun and effective, but too bad we are limited to two poles out here. The upside is that it is so peaceful fishing for crappies in Cali because no one seems to go for them. I was at Stonyford Reservior one early summer and hit a pod of crappies in some 20ft laydown trees. The two of us limited out in an hour keeping all over 10". This bass guy pulls up and asked how I plan to cook those CARP. I kept secrets in the cooler and said, "probably fry em". He responded, "good luck with the smell buddy!" We all laughed together, but what he did not know was that we were laughing at him. That evening, I took some fried crappie over to his camp and he was shocked how good the CARP's tasted. That just tells you how much most fisherman in Cali do not know about crappies out here.

Sorry for the long winded reply. Just too many funny fishing stories over the years of lonely crappie fishing in CA.

Haha....your story definitely gave me a good laugh. If I had a boat I would fish for them more often but I did just buy a fishing kayak so I can get out there at least now. I'm probably heading to New Melones for my first time ever this Saturday. I've heard it's a pretty good Crappie lake as you also mentioned in your post on the various lakes.

@Scouts Out - Hey Brad...where in Cali are you moving to?

Originally Posted by BPcrappie

@Scouts Out - Hey Brad...where in Cali are you moving to?

Brent, I think ya'll call it southern California?...Fort Irwin. Only been there once, but flew in, flew out. Never seen anything else in California, but looking forward. Hope i can catch some of them CARPs! Brad

Originally Posted by Scouts Out

Brent, I think ya'll call it southern California?...Fort Irwin. Only been there once, but flew in, flew out. Never seen anything else in California, but looking forward. Hope i can catch some of them CARPs! Brad

Bummer. I haven't done any Crappie fishing in So Cal Lakes but you will still have some options I'm sure.

Originally Posted by BPcrappie

Haha....your story definitely gave me a good laugh. If I had a boat I would fish for them more often but I did just buy a fishing kayak so I can get out there at least now. I'm probably heading to New Melones for my first time ever this Saturday. I've heard it's a pretty good Crappie lake as you also mentioned in your post on the various lakes.

@Scouts Out - Hey Brad...where in Cali are you moving to?

BPcrappie, I am going to send you a private message. I am no pro but thought I would give you my 2 cents on that lake. Been there a few times.

Hey guys out west check out this new boat concept that will hit the market in two weeks. Ultraskiff - Home they will cost 995.00 plus shipping they use a small trolling motor

lol11. 44 years old here, moving to California this summer so I've been watching your State's forum. Thanks for the post. Been trying to Googlemaps all of the lakes you mentioned to see driving distances. I'm from Tennessee (spiderriger mostly except bobbers in the spring). Live in Kansas now 10 minutes from the ramp, mostly spiderrig and dip trees, but gonna try this long lining thing this year as my lake is really clear here a lot until I move. Guess I gotta figure something else out for your 2 pole limit. Look forward to reading your posts. Brad