Chick Lake 4/24

Fished for 3 hours yesterday. Sorry about no pics- I'm usually good with posting them, but I was solo and wind was brutal. I caught 4 crappie- 9.5", 2 12"s, and a 14". Picked up 3 decent bluegill. Half caught on purple chartr slider and half caught on Taps money jig- all caught casting. Fish caught on 2 separate brush piles, duckblind, and a blowdown near shoreline. 7-9 FOW, fish were mid column...water temp was 60 degrees. Slow retrieve. Here is a question for you good fisherman. I understand that conditions and wind may dictate, but generically speaking, when you all are casting to/ or fishing brush, do you prefer to anchor, drift over, or troll around while fan casting?

Oh yea, one member specifically helped me not long ago with advice...thank you sir!

DRB

When casting at brush/docks/ etc., I use my TM to help maneuver me Or hold me in a good position to cast where I want. When jigging into brush I also use TM. Only time I like to anchor is when I find a spot the seems to hold a lot of fish, and I want to float a bobber! ( or eat) I am lucky enough that I can fish pretty much any day, so I leave when winds are too high... Last time I was at CL I was blown off the water, but hope to get back there soon. but back to BDR first :)

I agree with hey charlie. In very windy conditions the anchor can be the only choice. Also if water is very cold (winter fishing) it is important to move your bait very slow so the anchor may be the best choice. For general fishing I too like to use the troller if I an handle the positioning. I fished at Rock A Hock and caught about 20 very nice Crappie right under the boats and dock 10 days ago. Most of the time I would just drop the jig about 6 to 8 feet from the rod (not casting) and jig as close to the cover as I could. I also fish Pa and did the same 2 nights ago and did well. I do not consider myself a real crappie fishermen but enjoy it when I have a chance.

I would only consider anchoring if the wind was brutal and I really wanted to fish a certain spot. Having said that, I can not tell you the last time I dropped anchor. Also, I would only drift over if I have poles hanging over the side, if only casting, I just fan cast it. Start shallow then work deeper.

I was wondering where all of the Chick guys were at? Good report thanks