Vise to lake

I hadn't fished since last Wednesday when I lost a giant Black crappie that pulled free from a little duck jig, 1/32 with a #12 hook. Weather has been cold but still wanted to fish for a bit. Tied a half dozen 1/32 with a #6 but kept total length short, only 1/4" longer than the one with the #12 sickle and tied these two jigs onto my rods and headed out the door to 24 degree temps with snow flurries. Caught a few small crappies and gills and then I felt a little THUMP and was hooked up with my biggest crappie of the year. Prayers were said and heard and I landed this slab. Little skinny but around 15". Forgot to measure. Tough morning with guides freezing constantly but worth the effort though I left after 1.5 hours because of cold hands and feet.

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Nice looking jigs Jim, and a bruiser crappie. glad you got out my friend.

Awesome job Jim. Congrats on the slab.

Congratulations Jim! Good looking jigs and a dandy crappie!

You earned that one!
Another catchin' jig.

Going to try again today with temps above 32 so guides won't freeze. JDM rods with micro guides freeze very fast.

Love the duck feather jig. Have to get busy on the vise now...

Very nice Ties! Very nice fish!

I like the ties but the fish is better! Good stuff. Been a lot of years but I remember snow covered banks when I was young and fishing with my brother. The quiet sticks in my mind and you have the place to yourself most times. Very good memories for me.

Pretty cool going from vise to slab in less than an hour. I love my HEY DUDE shoes but it wasn't a very good choice in those conditions. I had the lake to myself, no walkers or people walking their dogs in sight. Sometimes you just get a feeling and try even though conditions are terrible and it pays off. Rods with micro guides freeze up really fast in below freezing temps.