What Am I Doing Wrong On Lake Degray

Guys I've been fishing the past 3 Saturdays on Lake Degray with my dad. We've tried fishing minnows, like we've done before (Jerry B. and Darryl M. style)....tried casting jigs.....tried jigging vertically with tubes/grubs. We're not striking out, but we're only managing 6-10 fish a trip, 4-5 hours each time.

We've fished anywhere from 8-16 feet deep in 15-28 feet of water. Fishing bamboo crappie condos in the Brushy Creek, Alpine Ridge, and Shouse Ford areas. The fishing reports in the paper say to fish just above the bamboo, which I've never seen them report before. Maybe they're using the FFA & Corp coordinates? Anyway we've tried fishing some of them and some personal spots. Even talked to a guy that caught 16 crappie off of one bucket!

Any ideas on what we're doing wrong? Or maybe I'm just being greedy. :D

Agrihawg,

What is the water temp on degray? I noticed here at home, the crappie have started moving up around the trees, which they don't usually do until october. It may be premature, but they may be transitioning into shallow for the fall. these cool temps sure seem to have moved them up. very possible they are doing the same on the big lakes. I don't know for sure, but I stepped on the dock yesterday & today, caught a bass and 3 crappie here at home in the usual fall spots. All I can tell you is I really enjoyed today. I didn't fish for a long time, but it was good to take about 45 minutes to wet a jig & feel a little tug.

Here fall fishing is early. Check out shallow flats next to creek channels and the back of coves with creek channels. It is working for us here. ;)

I drug some bandits on DeGray last Saturday. I am amazed I didn't see any one crappie fishing. I wished i would have run across you. I didn't mark any fish on shallow brush piles. In fact, I remarked "just wait a little while". Any fish I marked were 40 to 50 feet deep. I wouldn't think they were crappie plus I don't trust my stuff reading that deep. I did pretty good way out in the middle of nowhere. Most of the time I can anticipate a strike when I cross a brush pile. I didn't see any thin that would atttact the fish i caught.
DP

I really thought the crappie would be stacked up on those bamboo condos right now. This Saturday the water temp was 84, so I was expecting a good day fishing in 15-25 feet of water. I was sadly mistaken though. Might try it again this Saturday.

Dont know about Degray, but the fish I am finding and catching at Greers are still in the 20 to 25 fow suspended about 15 to 17 ft. You may have to get in the light timber and risk loosing a plug or two..:):)

Just stay with it, buddy. You'll find 'em and when you do, be sure to take a few photos to share with us.

There are a few to be caught east of point 14 with the bandits, fer sur. Just run 'em as deep as they'll go and drag near that timber across (east) the channel. It's fun stuff.

I may be back there next week meself, after the labor day boys and girls get off the water.

aj