Friday night fishing 8-5

I told myself yesterday morning that come Hell or high water, I was going fishing after work and I did, back over to my quick access water. I launched about 5pm, not much wind, just enough to ruffle the surface and provide a cooling breeze. I rowed over to what would soon be the shady shoreline and anchored up so I could work the first portion of the weed line. I started with the BG Patriot colored baby shad, casting and working it back with a lift/let drop lift again rhythm. 3rd cast, bam, hard hit and powerful sprint by an average bluegill. In to the cooler he went as I expected more before the night was out. A few casts later, another hit, not as hard this time and the fight was non-existent. Upon landing this monster, I admitted to myself that this might be a personal worst in my crappie fishing.

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I sure hoped they'd be getting bigger and not smaller after this one....and they did! Just a cast or 2 later........

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Over the next hour or so, I boated a total of 11 calico's, 9-11" long, no real braggers just typical size for this pond. Every one came on the Patriot color. As the bite slowed I tried other colors and presentations with no luck at all.

I'd had big clouds coming in but they weren't storm clouds, sort of a mini-front. When they packed in, the bite shut right off which surprised me, I figured the drop in light would increase the crappie bite. This little front lasted perhaps 15-20 minutes and when it cleared, boy did the wind pick up, enough that I gave it just a bit longer and called it a night. My boat is very flat bottomed and the wind plays havoc with it and when its dragging me with both anchors out it's time to go.

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Later, as I was cleaning them, I was noticing what a meaty fish a 10 - 11" crappie is. Tucked them all away this morning for a tasty winter meal. My family really likes them so I'm happy to break my back catching them to keep my ladies happy!

Ken

Excellent job out there. Nothing wrong with those crappie.

Nice