Yep, Still Spawning

Last week I hit several brush piles that were occupied by all male fish. I knew if I could get a free morning to check the snaggy haunts I might find some females up still spawning. Sure enough, they were there this morning. With nothing on my plate that could not be handled tomorrow, I took a day off work and set out in search of a thump. When I launched the water temp gauge said 64......huh? Was 67 last week, but we did have two very windy fronts go through, so a small setback but Mother Nature knows how to deal with fluctuations, and I put forth my best counterpunch. Deep to start, 17-20ft was not the key, so I moved in to visible brush tops in 12-15ft, yep, still there from last week. A small Black Crappie female started my day, but the bite was a subtle tick, no worries, a good piece of graphite and some braided line was up for the job.
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Next was a little toothy critter, no place for him on my boat, he didn’t measure up but posed nicely for the camera.
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Grow up young fella. A total of four keepers were caught and boxed early, enough for Supper on Tuesday so I set off down the lake to look for some warmer waters and some Bluegill. About 3 miles down the lake I found some 70 degree water and started pitching a Trout Magnet on my new rod in search of some pre spawn Gills. No luck on most spots, I did find a few small ones up shallow, and they fought bravely but got a pass to grow.
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While throwing the Gill offerings a tick on my line indicated a nice strike and wham, the fight was on, but if this was a Gill it was a stray from CA because it dug under the boat and out to deep waters. I grabbed the net and saw a familiar site, a Slab Crappie.
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What was she doing in 5ft water, don’t know but I ended up with 3 more of her girlfriends on 4 casts, on a smooth gravely bank where I would expect the Sunfishes. Oh well, what fun it was. 8 total made the ride home, as it started getting hot and the normal Monday yard chores were looming.
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Bucket Shot, with Big Female of the day then the only male caught with Big Female. 7 girls all laden with eggs and 1 dude.
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Back to work tomorrow, so get out there if you can, they are still biting!


Sent from my iPad using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app

Good report. Glad you were able to get after them some. Always fun.

I’ve got a 50-50 shot of getting out there tomorrow evening. Thanks for giving me the “starting places”!

NICE! That's the first Sauger I've seen in YEARS. Managed a couple of days off this week so I'm thinking Friday I may go looking SPECIFICALLY for the toothy-critters!!!:cheers2

I am NOT on the crappies right now.:banghead