I’m in Texas and originally put this under the wrong category.
Hello everyone, EDIT: my apologies I just realized I posted this in the wrong place. I joined the forum in 2021 and ask a few questions about a local lake which I tried crappie fishing and catfishing only to find out the two lakes I live in between are great bass lakes and not known for other species except for Fayette county has nice brim in it.
Two years later most of which I spent rebuilding my boat.
My favorite Lake is Lake Somerville a little over an hour away but it’s worth the drive. I’ve been catfishing the few trips I’ve made but I want to catch some crappie. I could really use some advice. I usually go during the week when it’s not busy but this Saturday looks like a good day weather wise for a week.
I’m in a 1983 16’ extra wide and deep flat bottom with 1992 40hp Yamaha.
I’m currently using a back up trolling motor bow mounted but no spot lock etc.
I know where a lot of the structures/brush piles are on the lake and will be fishing the ones on the main lake.
I’m using the Navionics app along with a Garmin striker plus 4 which Is new and I’m still learning it. I plan on marking the gps coordinates and making a map of the spots I want to try. The wind will be SSE only 2mph early getting up to 8mph S (at least that’s the forecast for now could change in 5 minutes welcome to Texas).
The spots I want to try are on the south side. Should I start out there and head north later if the bite stops?
My main question is I’m going to have to anchor. The only crappie fishing I’ve done on a brush pile was in 25’ water and was able to tie off to a tree and be directly over the condo. I’m going to have to anchor this trip as I’ll probably be solo and want to put out several rods.
Should I anchor on the deep side of the brush pile and pitch towards it or get on the side of it and pitch my rods towards the deep side? I want to have as little boat maneuvering around it as possible.
I also wondered if I anchored past the brush pile bow to south and let my boat drift past the brush pile and lower a stern anchor then pull myself back to be over the brush pile? I wont try that unless it’s deep enough. I’m afraid to spook them if I try trolling motor except for sneaking up on the spots.
How long should I wait to get bit before trying a different spot?
I appreciate any advice and the sharing of any knowledge about the nature of crappie ie how easily do they spook and will they come back after settling down?
I’m using minnows and worms.
Thanks for reading my story and again I appreciate any knowledge.
Doug
