Cold water crappie

I got out Monday and Tuesday before the bad weather hit and gave it a shot. I wasn't expecting much if any action but lake was about 75 % ice free and first thought was at least I can cast. For the past six weeks I've been catching bass, black and white crappie, bluegill and redear using tiny 1/48 float n fly's tied on #10 sickle hooks. The bluegill were hungry and wouldn't leave my jig alone and it wasn't until fish #10 before I caught a nice black crappie. Pretty windy but did managed a few more crappie. I went out the next morning and wind was very light, totally different conditions. Bite was slower but caught more crappie than the previous day. I still love watching that 3/4" weighted float disappear not knowing if that next bite will be a 5" bluegill or a 17 " + crappie. I did catch one that size on December 30th. Looks like it will be a little while before I can get after them again with all this snow falling now. Attachment 418097Attachment 418098Attachment 418099Attachment 418100

Sounds like an enjoyable time out on the water. Good pics. Love your jigs!!!

as I have some of his and fished with him there can tell you they work and ketch all kinds o fish. nice ones Jim and good that you got out ahead of this mess.

mac and I are out whacking trout.

[emoji106][emoji106][emoji106]


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Good looking jigs! Thanks for sharing!

Some nice specimens

Nice looking jigs :ThumbsUp

Very nice job Jim!

With this warmer weather I plan on getting after them tomorrow, HOPEFULLY have some open water then. I checked the ice thickness a couple days ago and we had about 1.5 inches of clear ice. Hundreds of geese were there keeping the water moving so there should be some place to cast to. I've been releasing everything but thinking of keeping 4 or 5 just to see what they have in their stomachs, plus I have a taste for fish tacos.

I love fishing with a float myself, the crappie have been pretty aggressive in this cold water for me.
Nice pictures!