New member desperately needs some advice

First of all I want to say I've been coming and viewing this site for the past couple of weeks and really enjoy reading the posts and viewing the pics. I'm new to crappie fishing and really have no idea what i'm doing, but I want learn a few tricks of the trade. I live just outside of Star City and work in Monticello, so Cane Creek and Lake Monticello are easy for me to get to. I went to Cane Creek Saturday morning, got there about 8:00 a.m and had to leave about 9:30 a.m because my grandmother was rushed to the ER. Needless to say I didn't get to fish much, but I wasn't having any luck either. Saw a couple of black gentlemen catching some fish and it was all i could do not to go over and ask them what they were doing. I know some folks are pretty tight lipped when it comes to fishing so I didn't. If any of you fine folks would be so kind to give a poor soul some advice as to where to start in the world of winter crappie fishing it would be much appreciated. I know that spring is the time that all serious crappie fisherman live for, but my deep passion for turkey hunting might hinder me that time of the year. Anyway love the site and thanks in advance............JMS

Welcome aboard JMS. Once the boys from S.E. Arkansas see your post, I'm sure they'll get you pointed in the right direction. If you every make it to central AR give me a shout.

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Originally Posted by JMS

First of all I want to say I've been coming and viewing this site for the past couple of weeks and really enjoy reading the posts and viewing the pics. I'm new to crappie fishing and really have no idea what i'm doing, but I want learn a few tricks of the trade. I live just outside of Star City and work in Monticello, so Cane Creek and Lake Monticello are easy for me to get to. I went to Cane Creek Saturday morning, got there about 8:00 a.m and had to leave about 9:30 a.m because my grandmother was rushed to the ER. Needless to say I didn't get to fish much, but I wasn't having any luck either. Saw a couple of black gentlemen catching some fish and it was all i could do not to go over and ask them what they were doing. I know some folks are pretty tight lipped when it comes to fishing so I didn't. If any of you fine folks would be so kind to give a poor soul some advice as to where to start in the world of winter crappie fishing it would be much appreciated. I know that spring is the time that all serious crappie fisherman live for, but my deep passion for turkey hunting might hinder me that time of the year. Anyway love the site and thanks in advance............JMS

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Likewise...if you ever make it to NWA, give me shout, or more importantly, give JT Crappie Guide (Jason) a shout. Welcome and good luck!

Welcome to the board JMS, I was at Cane Creek Saturday, probably fishing close the the guys you were talking about. Most everyone I know of fishing up there will tell you how they are catching them, most have been real friendly. If you ever see me out there come up and talk. Cane Creek is usually good fishing in the fall and winter, and has some really nice crappie in it as you have seen pics of on here. I went today though and fished all day and didn't get a bite. But I enjoyed myself though because every cast I was anticipating catching a good crappie. But some days are like that, especially after a cold from like we just had. Lake Monticello has some good crappie too, this time of year they will be in 40 ft. or more water. Again welcome to Crappie.com and holler at me anytime you see me on the lake. My pics are on some previous posts on this board.

Welcome aboard JMS. I too was at Cane Creek today fighting the hurricane next to LA. I left about 12 and didn't get a bite either. Not for sure when I will get the chance to make it over there again, but watch the posts and I will usually let the gang know when I am coming over. Feel free to come up and introduce yourself. I will be in a 1648 Camo War Eagle with a 25 hp Merc. Will usually have a spider rig set up in the front unless gale force winds (like today) force me to do otherwise.

Thanks guys for replying to my post. I hope to go there again this weekend but not sure yet if I will be able too. LA and bobberwatcher I will defintely look for ya'll when I go. I will try to post when I might be back at the lake............JMS

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Originally Posted by JMS

Thanks guys for replying to my post. I hope to go there again this weekend but not sure yet if I will be able too. LA and bobberwatcher I will defintely look for ya'll when I go. I will try to post when I might be back at the lake............JMS

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What kind of rig do you have so we will know you?

Hey Dr. Pepper, I have a 15' camo travis boat with a 25 hp. Merc. I would love to meet you guys and hopefully gain some of your knowledge. Looks like the weather isn't shaping up too nice for Saturday. I may be out of luck. Oh well, I need to put one more deer in the freezer anyway, but I can't get the picture of a nice mess of crappie fillets hitting the grease out of my head.:D.........JMS

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Originally Posted by JMS

First of all I want to say I've been coming and viewing this site for the past couple of weeks and really enjoy reading the posts and viewing the pics. I'm new to crappie fishing and really have no idea what i'm doing, but I want learn a few tricks of the trade. I live just outside of Star City and work in Monticello, so Cane Creek and Lake Monticello are easy for me to get to. I went to Cane Creek Saturday morning, got there about 8:00 a.m and had to leave about 9:30 a.m because my grandmother was rushed to the ER. Needless to say I didn't get to fish much, but I wasn't having any luck either. Saw a couple of black gentlemen catching some fish and it was all i could do not to go over and ask them what they were doing. I know some folks are pretty tight lipped when it comes to fishing so I didn't. If any of you fine folks would be so kind to give a poor soul some advice as to where to start in the world of winter crappie fishing it would be much appreciated. I know that spring is the time that all serious crappie fisherman live for, but my deep passion for turkey hunting might hinder me that time of the year. Anyway love the site and thanks in advance............JMS

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Welcome, JMS! Glad to have a SE Arkie aboard. I have been having a blast down on CC the past couple of months. I have been successful (most days) slo-trolling rosey red minnows on 13' poles; fishing anywhere from 3-5.5' deep.

You can never really judge the fishing by how many the black guys out there are catching. It seems that they always catch when others aren't.:D I know they have frustrated the heck out of me a few times, but they really are the most easy going guys that will share everything that they know about the lake. Don't hesitate to hollar at 'em.

The crappie on that lake seem to be really weird to me. I still haven't really figured them out. You'll go without a hit for hours, and then all of the sudden, everyone will go to catching fish for about 20min and then they will quit. You will also catch 5-6 fish in one tiny spot, so if you find one, fish that little spot hard. Stick with them; you will find them eventually, and you'll be amazed at the size and fight of those big ol' black crappie. Good luck. CEB -

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Originally Posted by bobberwatcher

Welcome aboard JMS. I too was at Cane Creek today fighting the hurricane next to LA. I left about 12 and didn't get a bite either. Not for sure when I will get the chance to make it over there again, but watch the posts and I will usually let the gang know when I am coming over. Feel free to come up and introduce yourself. I will be in a 1648 Camo War Eagle with a 25 hp Merc. Will usually have a spider rig set up in the front unless gale force winds (like today) force me to do otherwise.

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Hey...I'll tell you one thing, that lake is a slo-troller's freakin' nightmare on a windy day. I can't believe that I haven't broken a pole off, yet that is. Best thing that I've found so far is to stay on the trolling motor and always go into the wind or slightly quarter it. If you find fish or need to re-bait, quickly use a bungee strap to tie to a tree. Once finished, loosen and get back on that TM. One thing that I have found, if the fish are biting well, the sound of the TM really doesn't affect them. I have drove over them, threw it in reverse, and then back over them several times, and caught fish on each pass.