Putting slabs in the boat at Lathem..

Not sure if anyone has read my posts on the GON forum, but the water has finally started to warm up at H Q Lathem, and I have been catching many fine slabs. Dang ol' green fish are also trying to steal my jig, too. Yesterday the water temp was up to around 53F, and I am finally finding crappie with some consistency the past few days. I've been roaming around the lake, looking on my electronics from shore out to about 20', then easing up and casting jigs to them. The fish are all huge. Yesterday I caught 15, and not a one was under 1 lb, most in the 14" 1.5-1.75 lb range, females loaded with eggs. I've been releasing all but one or two for my supper and to check eggs. Bass bite is real good, too. Oh yeah, I also caught a huge shellcracker, 11" 1.1 lb - first one of the year.

I am using a small gray hand-tied jig with a crappie nibble, and I would bet I've caught over 40 fish on the same jig, the paint is almost worn off. Here's a few pics:

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Good job Joe. Thanks for the pics and report.

Nice Cracka. Fish are about to blow those eggs out.

Nice fish. Congrats. Nice cracker too.;) Looks like youre not covered up with other boats.....unlike around here. Stay after 'em.:)

Your on a roll, those are nice!


Sent from my iPhone using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app

Males getting dark - finally.
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14" 1.7 lbs.
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The crappie spawn is not quite "on" yet, but getting close, very close. Not sure what this cool rainy spell is going to do .. I'll find out, 'cause I am fishing anyway. Road trip to the Hill coming up, and elsewhere. Time to make all that expensive rain gear I bought pay for itself.

Good ones!

Had a great day today 7:30-2PM. Caught & released about 20, smallest fish was 12", biggest 15" 1.65. The fish were suspended at 10' in the creek channels where there was a lot of shad. the wind made it tough to stay on them, they were moving around, too. Little gray jig, and also a chartreuse one, did the trick.
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