I actually Crappie Fish!

[wicklundrh]

It sure has been awhile (so it seems) that I have been crappie fishing. I've been spending the majority of my time chasing big water fish. I needed to get back to the relaxing atmosphere of crappie fishing! Plus, I didn't have any in the freezer and was craving some fresh fillets.

Brian and I picked up some minnows and headed over to Bruin lake (just trying to locate the fish for everyone)
During the summer, it is really hard to get on Bruin. The launch was full and no new boats were being let in. We decided to make the 20 minute drive around the lake to Halfmoon (another lake in the chain). Again, the lot was full. There was only one boat ahead of us so we decided to wait. It took 30 minutes for enough boats to leave so that we could launch. Let he excitement begin.

Both Bruin and halfmoon only have one dock and launch. The nice thing about halfmoon is that there is a gravel beach type area next to the dock. Three boats waiting to come in didn't bode well for going out. Thankfully, I know the area and know it is deep. Brian backs the truck in, I drive the boat off the trailer, he goes and parks... people look on in amazement. No dock was needed!

Traveling through the first channel I am reminded of why I try to avoid crowds. One guy with what I will refer to as a 35k waste of good fiberglass thought it necessary to drive down the middle of the channel. He left me zero room to do anything short of beach my boat. The A-hole in me wanted to say something....or to run my aluminum boat down the side of his fiberglass a mere 3 inches away... I even thought of tilting my motor two more inches out of the water and roosting the entire boat. The guy didn't make eye contact with me, or wave or say a word... as if I was in the wrong. Oh well, I didn't say anything. Brian on the other hand simply asked "are you kidding me"? Something about two burly dudes in a fishing vessel wearing jeans and boots in 90 degree heat while you are driving your fiberglass boat wearing your boy band shorts and your teenage girlfriends (who were not that attractive) look on says there probably didn't want to say anything to either of us!

I have a high tolerance for idiocracy so I let it go relatively quickly, Brian on the other hand stewed for another 30 seconds. Hanging out with me does him good. Of course, I haven't been in a good tussle in quite some time but I digress.

So, we get to our fishing spot (a no high speed boating section) in Woodburn lake. There was a thermocline with a section of cooler water between 6 and 8 feet. We decided to do some trolling as the sun was still high in the sky. We pulled a few planner boards tipped with jigs but we just couldn't get anything to bite.

We moved to a section of lilly pads and I started casting a purple jig tipped with a "Tractor Green" (that was the name) Big Bite twister tail. 1/16 oz jigs hit the water, I counted to 3 and then started retrieving slowly with an up and down motion on the rod making sure to slack the line. The fish started hitting on the drop. And I don't mean hitting, I mean engulfing the baits.

We kept a mess of 10 for a nice fish dinner and called it a night when the bugs started biting. Biggest was 12 inches and the smallest was... well, who knows.

Not many times are there pictures of me (seems like I do most of the picture taking) but:

["D"]

Those fish will be bigger when you get that prize pack. And please take a pic and post it when you get them. "D"

[Just Steve]

Nice report as always Rich, I think it would have been funny as heck to have lifted your motor though.....Aholes like that need to learn a little thing called respect for others.

[steelguy]

one of the main reasons I do not fish much in the summer is most of the lakes I like to fish have very limited parking and by the time I get out of work they are most always full , got tired of going to the lake only to have the lot full.
used to love to fish Morrison lake, but gave up on it years ago when dnr redid the lot to make it even smaller than before!!!
I also really hate to fish in crowds , I have no use for the type of idiots like the ones rich just described.
one of the reasons I NEVER fish Detroit river any more..... way to many inconsiderate butt heads.

[yankee doodler]

Great account of your fishing adventure. Sorry about the idiot. Say "hey" to Brian for me, eh.

[flytier]

We had similar trouble with a jet ski. Had to go to a no wake channel to get him off our back. I hope by fall they have all that crap in storage. Glad you caught some fish.

[wicklundrh]

I hear you John.

I like to be left alone for the most part. I don't bother people and I usually try to avoid confrontation as much as possible. I do however like to think about all the things that I "could have done"! I could have said something, but in the end it gets me right back to the same place I was but a little more ticked off. Now, if I had say... a jet drive (like Don's boat), I might not have been able to resist it!

Usually around September 1st, that whole area becomes a ghost town. Most of the people that live on the lakes are out but they are considerate of others. Fishing picks up big time in late September and into October on this chain.

I do have to thank Larry and Sandy. My Koops Arizona Heat mustard went really well with the fresh Crappie Fillets!

[yankee doodler]

Still haven't found that in any stores around here.

["D"]

Still haven't found that in any stores around here.

Here you go.

Amazon.com : Koops Arizona Heat Mustard - 2 Pack : Mustard Condiment : Grocery & Gourmet Food

[yankee doodler]

Thanks Danny! I may have to resort to that. I've looked at a few stores around here, and even a couple known for carrying "gourmet" items, but no go.