Quote Originally Posted by S10CHEVY View Post
Welcome to the site. Electric trolling motor, don't cost a lot, for the trolling only lakes. With the fall like chill, crappies will be found more close to shore. Also try drifting, while fishing for them. Just like fishing for trout, matching the hatch also applies, for a lot of other fish too. You mentioned minnows. Look for them close to shore, to see how big they are. If I'm using them, in spring use mediums, and don't use small ones till you see them in the lake.

Did you introduce yourself, in the newbies section? If you do, they will send you some crappie.com decals. Always remember that the search button is your friend.
Thanks for the welcome! I have to say, this forum seems like a great group! So glad I found it and signed up. I'll go do an intro in the newbie section.

I got a 45lb traxxis which moves the little 12 foot jon really good. While I'm a little under sized for big lakes, I love it for all the lakes near me (200 - 360 acres) w/ electric only restrictions. Like I mentioned, the one ramp has a barricade and you have to manhandle the boat up the slides. Anything bigger than a 12 foot would be a challenge to self launch.

For minnows, I'm definitely going to pay more attention to size/species. I know a few perch I caught last weekend were spitting out super tiny baitfish. I think baby shad? I mean 1/2 inch long or smaller.

I do think I've been focusing too deep. I need to look up in the shallows more. On the 2 lakes I've been focusing on, the thermocline is at about 20 feet as best I can tell from the electronics. That's in 40-60 feet of water, and again, surface temps are in the 70's. The thermocline on both has good DO and both hold a lot of trout. So these are pretty cold water lakes. That might have the crappie up shallower than I was thinking they would be? Thanks for the advice!!!!