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Despite the name I chose for use on this forum, I don't claim to be an expert on shellcracker. They're just one of my favorite fish.
"Leaf worms" behind 1/16th oz fluorescent jigheads is my favorite rig.
Hard to get them in this drought so we use pieces of nightcrawler.
These were caught about a month ago in VA.....along with some perch.
Attachment 14970
shellquacker,i thought i was an expert one time long long ago,it became obivous that i am not when it comes to fish, the score is something like this fish 102 me 10.
i guess that is why like to fish so much,there is always something to learn.
those old chinks have fed me many pieces of humble pie.that is a fine mess of fish you have there,is that yellow perch i see with those chinks,are they good eating and do they fight as hard as the shellcracker.we do not have that type of perch here in louisiana ,.
gators can't climb trees.
Yes shooter, those are yellow perch, one of my favorite food fish. But no, they don't fight as hard as a shellcracker. Lb. for lb. , few fish do.
The largest perch in the pick is 13.5 in. and 1 lb 5 oz.
Largest cracker, 12"+ and 1lb. 4oz.
Those perch scrap pretty good though. You can tell a big difference in the hit from one of those and a crappie.:) CFQuote:
Originally Posted by shooter
Shellquacker,Quote:
Originally Posted by ShellQuacker
what kind of areas do you target for them? I ain't far from you and maybe could find some areas closer to my neck of the woods to catch some. How deep do you fish for them and water depth? Thanks CF
I live around the Sandhills (Richmond County) nc and around May i find them in ponds about six inches deep,right on the bank. I use redworms on a slip float. What a blast and great eating too!!
Thank You ljohns5582 and welcome to Crappie.com. CFQuote:
Originally Posted by ljohns5582
I like to fish for 10inch and up Crackers with large crawlers or 3-4 red wigglers on no.1 gold aberdeen hooks, 4lbs line, small slipbobbers fished as close to the bottom as possible. Need to target hard bottoms if possible with evidence of broken mussel shells (their natural forage). If able to find these areas close to deeper water or shallow water adjacent to large dropoffs, you've found a honeyhole for jumbo Crackers.
Hope this helps!!! :cool:
If you are are in North Carolina and get a chance to go to Charlotte, there is a reservoir nearby called Lake Wylie. It is full of shellcrackers. When I lived there I fished for them with my flyrod. I used the breamkiller lure(black spider with white legs) and when they are spawning I suggest you restring with a minimum of 8 lb test. They will wear your arm out...
Sorry CF, I missed this post. IceWarrior has the right info. Look for mussel beds, or areas adjacent to them. We've caught them at all depths, but 3 -12' in general.Quote:
Originally Posted by crappiefarmer