Looking for Rez info...

Can any of the Rez experts give me a 2-3 week timeframe for the best time to try to visit the Rez for crappie?

Late March into early April. Anywhere from mid February to early May can be hot.


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What MidMsAngler said is spot on. Most folks say the spawn peaks around mid April. Depending on the weather, you can catch spawning fish in upriver lakes in late February and still catch spawners from the mid and lower lake area in June. One thing to remember is that the Rez is a 365 day a year crappie lake, it actually gets more year round pressure than the big four combined. I've had some of my best days during the fall and winter.


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I was in a hurry when I posted earlier and wasn't able to elaborate but Feesh pretty much summed it up. I prefer the pre-spawn patterns myself but if your not too familiar with the lake then waiting till they move shallow eliminates a lot of water and a lot of guess work, but like every lake it's a crap shoot with the cold fronts and they are in and out then back in again. But between Coal Bluff to Ratliff Ferry, Ratliff Ferry to Hwy 43, North end of the lake, South End of the lake, and Pelahatchie bay, you really have five separate lakes that will spawn independently of the other areas and almost consecutively one after the other from Feb to early June. If your planning to make reservations far ahead of time then my previous response stands, if you have some leeway then it's probably best to keep tabs on the lake and just be prepared to run down at short notice. No telling if this warm weather will hold long enough to make a big difference in the timing.


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Thanks everyone. I grew up fishing/camping/hunting the Rez from the spillway up to lowhead dam above Ratliff Ferry. I have family with a house on the water of Pelahatchie Bay across the causeway and now that I have finally got myself another boat I plan on visiting my in-laws and re-acquainting myself with the entire Rez.

I have absolutely loved learning to fish the Rez the last 6 years I have lived here and this is what I have learned and it makes sense(to me at least). The fish are biting in one of 3 places if they are not at one go to the next until you find them.
1. They are on the river ledge. This is my personal favorite spot to try because The Rez is marked so well with all the channel markers. You have to experiment to find the depth and color they want but if they are there you will know it.
2. If they are not on the ledge go the old river lakes(Long, Oil Well Woods, Clear, Horseshoe, Saddlebags, McMillian). Typically fish are in these spots year around its just a matter of depth and the STUPID REZ WIND. The wind is usually the determining factor with when and where I can fish on the rez. Anything over an 8mph wind and I'm going upriver. My flat bottom Carolina Skiff just cant hold me down to fish in waves.
3. Shallow- find lily pads and I usually find a few fish when they are shallow. This is my least favorite because I like spider rigging and using my pole holders but I usually spend a few days doing it to feel the THUMP every year.
Hope that helps

With this warm winter on the Rez, I expect they will be spawning Late Feb. thur first 2 weeks of April. Crappie fishing is usually good year round there. Both sides of Hwy 43 river basin will be great.

Thanks MAC.. This does help some... I love fishing above hwy 43...

[QUOTE=macpappy;3352370]I have absolutely loved learning to fish the Rez the last 6 years I have lived here and this is what I have learned and it makes sense(to me at least). The fish are biting in one of 3 places if they are not at one go to the next until you find them.
1. They are on the river ledge. This is my personal favorite spot to try because The Rez is marked so well with all the channel markers. You have to experiment to find tbovehe depth and color they want but if they are there you will know it.
2. If they are not on the ledge go the old river lakes(Long, Oil Well Woods, Clear, Horseshoe, Saddlebags, McMillian). Typically fish are in these spots year around its just a matter of depth and the STUPID REZ WIND. The wind is usually the determining factor with when and where I can fish on the rez. Anything over an 8mph wind and I'm going upriver. My flat bottom Carolina Skiff just cant hold me down to fish in waves.
3. Shallow

THAT PRETTY MUCH SUMS IT UP