March 31 day of days

Got into them thick today. Caught at least 40 and had 15 keepers to 12 inches. Most are still deep to my surprise. Keep expecting them to be shallow but have to revert to bottom jigging in deep holes to get them. Saw a lot of people out and most were going into the creeks or fishing the shoreline and having a tough time. One boat of three guys had 1 fish in 4 hours! Think I would have given up way sooner if I was them. They do seem to be relating to woody cover more than mid winter but deep cover not shallow lay downs. A fish finder is a must to find them. Nothing but crappie other than one small bluegill.

Great report Zippy, you are giving me some hope. I am torn between planing the garden after work or doing some crappie fishing until dark. I think that the gardening can wait.

Go fishing. Ground's too cold to plant, anyway.

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Originally Posted by Papermouth44

Go fishing. Ground's too cold to plant, anyway.

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4/2 after work trip was almost a complete bust. Stopped at two spots which have been producing regular crappie and one place no bites, second spot caught two small crappie, two bass up to 14 inches and one white perch, all fish returned. WT 55, windy.

I'm convinced that they will be up at your usual shallow spring spots by the end of next week barring a steep drop in temps. Water today was 55 at the surface and the fish, while still deep were really close to shallow water. Some of the males are getting black and the females have eggs. I'll bet there will be males in the shallows by the end of next week and the spawn will start the week following on shallow ponds and the middle of the next week on the rivers and deeper lakes. Then they will hang around the shallows for another 3 weeks to a month before moving out again. This is all a guess but based on past experience. Give it a week and head back to your spots, I bet they will be there it's getting close.

Zip I am going to have to get up with you sometime, if you are ever looking for a fishing buddy my wife goes to school during the week days an when I am home off the tug I have nothing but free time. I live in public landing near snow hill.