Mid day trip, 10-24

After finishing up my to-do list, I packed up the boat and headed out for a trip to hopefully catch a few more for the freezer. I launched about 1:30, air temp at 58, water temp about 59. Had a stronger breeze than I like, but knew it was going to be there and had the patience to deal with it today. I wasn't expecting a busy day but was hoping for some nice, big keepers from the deeper water. I tossed out my lines, including the double jig line and let the wind push me along the deeper contour. Had the first crappie in the boat about 2 minutes after getting situated, about a 9" keeper. Had it in mind to keep anything 9" and over for crappie, and the 8"+ 'gills.

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Another followed just a few seconds later, maybe a 10"er or a bit more

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Turned out to be a truly memorable day, as the crappie were just schooled up and ready for action. My graph looked like this a lot today......

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Go over a school like this and you just knew that more than one pole was going to load up with a fish. Had numerous double hookups on separate poles and twice had a double fish-on with the line having the double jigs.

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Only had 1 or 2 nearing the 11" mark and had the big fish of the day shake loose at the side of the boat just as I was dipping the net to scoop him.

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We've had a consistent afternoon wind that has pushed most of the maple and birch leaves off for the year but there was still a couple of nicely colored trees right at waters edge today

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It was 99% crappie in to the boat today on this water. Got 1 nice 'gill mid trip and 3 more near the end but with all the crappie in the cooler, the bluegills got a pass today.

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Doesn't look like it but there are 21 eatin' size crappie in there, a couple of 8"ers that were hooked a bit too good but mostly 9's and 10's. I sent back perhaps an additional 15 or so smaller than desired crappie, too. Only 'gills and crappie today, no other species were interested in my offerings.
The bite was slowing and the wind was building a bit more so I called it a day and left them biting intermittently about 4pm. This is my final trip for keeping as I now have enough in the freezer to get us through the winter. I also worry about catch and release when they all seem to be down deep. I'm concerned about baro-trauma, bringing them up from more than 20'. I'd rather not take the chance of wasting some good fish.

Good report and catch....
The fall colors are great

Outstanding trip. Sorry to hear it may have been the last trip of the season. Keep up the great times. Tight lines.

Those trees are on fire with fall colors. Sounds like a great day with some good fishing

Some beautifully vibrant colors in your photos, thanks for taking me fishing this morning.

Hopefully it won't be the last trip but I may wait for turn over to be on the conservative side. I don't really have a feel for how deep is too deep to safely release as I've caught perch from about 22-23' that couldn't be returned.

Another great day for you! I’m still hoping to get out and try trolling like you do on a warm afternoon. It’s getting a little too cold for my nighttime fishing.

If that was your last time out for the season, it was a good one to end on. Good job.

Now that’s a nice trip!!


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