Thread: How do you choose?

I just go closest to my house. You can catch crappie anywhere on the lake.

Originally Posted by Panfish Paladin

I'm new to crappie.com and lake Eufaula. This is a great and very informative site! On a lake as big as Eufaula, how do you narrow done a place to try? I have heard since the lake is so long vertically to choose where you go , north or south lake, by how late in the spawn it is. Any info will be appreciated.Panfish Paladin.

That's a good question, but first, let me welcome you to the site!

Lake Eufaula covers such a large area that several factors are worth considering when choosing a place to go fish.

Dusty is right, often you can just pick the closest place and do well.

During spring spawn, the spawn actually starts a little sooner at the south part of the lake and works it way north. The rest of the time, if they're biting, you can catch em at any part of the lake.

Another factor is access; I do not like walking down steep paths or doddering along on rip-rap when the chances of falling are greater. The closer I can park my vehicle to where I will be fishing the happier I am.

Same with the boat, I like to use the ramp as close to where I will be fishing as possible.

If you're new to the lake as you say, then plan on devoting several years on educating yourself about Lake Eufaula. It's a fun learning experience I find out something neat or new each fishing trip.

For now, if you have a boat, I recommend fishing along the rip-rap close to I-40. If you don't have a boat, there are several areas where you can walk down and fish. Consider some of the culberts along highway 69 or 9A. Be prepared to hit several locations in one day.

If they're not biting at one location, move and try another. Such a large lake that conditions can be quite different as you change fishing spots. Sometimes just moving to the other side of the highway will work.

These crappie are alusive and difficult to catch at times, but once you get into them, its worth the trouble and you'll be rewarded with a stringer full of slabs.

Good luck and keep us informed on your progress.

Thanks Dusty and Stinkfinger. I've lived in Norman for years but had 2 jobs for the last 23 years and did'nt have a lot of time to fish. In january I resigned one of my jobs and I find I have more time to wet a line. I have fished Eufaula 2 times and both trips were a bust. Thats why I joined this website, and thanks for the welcome SF, to learn from the lake vets! I have a Tracker Targa 18 so rough water (within reason) is not a problem. Now I'm going to school at crappie.com !
Thanks Fellas

All of the places I fish on Eufaula are from word of mouth except for maybe 1 or 2. Just read through the posts on the Eufaula thread and you will see mention of the popular fishing areas of the lake; they come up over and over. If you would like more info about any of these places just ask. I will be happy to share some tips on the ones I have fished as will the other folks on here, some of whom fish the lake way more than I do.

One other thing, if you are looking to learn where and how to fish on Eufaula, it is a good idea to book a trip with one of the various guides on the lake. This is money well spent. One that frequents this site is Brian aka Eufaulaboy. There is also Todd Huckabee and his fishing partner Barry Morrow, you can google them. They all have a great reputation and many on here can confirm that they are skilled in putting large numbers of crappie in the boat. The guides I have fished with realize that many of their clients are looking for information on how and where to catch them on the lake and don't mind if you return to the spots you fished together. Just be curtious if you see the guide there with other clients.

Good luck!