First slab 2026

From my old experience it is time to look for them crappies. I visited the spawn site lo and behold they are here not in great amount yet but seem like they are in small groups. Caught quite a lot of them in 10-12” and only a few slabs.
It is so addictive slowly swimming crappie jig and wait for the thump at night. Sometimes I catch 4-5 back to back cast and then nothing for long night hour.
Anyway all fish released for good spawning year and picture of biggest one.

Nice catch. Sounds like fun times.

That's a fine one. That's a Potato Chipper for Sure!

Good Job, buddy !!

Sweet!

Hopefully I don’t kill the spawn cycle if remove them from nest and never return. I don’t like to fish spawning bass just for this reason. Last year we got golden algae and a lot of fish die off most of them were shad. So far I have not seen a lot of decline on crappies population. Some said it is harder to find bass than normal. I guess those catch to eat scared off from almost all year sign to not go in contact with water. This year we don’t have a lot of rain and algae problem might get worst, fingers crossed. At least if we got good spawning cycles of crappie/bluegill, should be beneficial to bass diet.
Anyway another successful last night. I’m glad I’m flexible and prepared. Last night some fish travels in open water 2-3 feet down from surface and the rest just hang tight to cover.

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Originally Posted by Just_Bass

Hopefully I don’t kill the spawn cycle if remove them from nest and never return. I don’t like to fish spawning bass just for this reason. Last year we got golden algae and a lot of fish die off most of them were shad. So far I have not seen a lot of decline on crappies population. Some said it is harder to find bass than normal. I guess those catch to eat scared off from almost all year sign to not go in contact with water. This year we don’t have a lot of rain and algae problem might get worst, fingers crossed. At least if we got good spawning cycles of crappie/bluegill, should be beneficial to bass diet.
Anyway another successful last night. I’m glad I’m flexible and prepared. Last night some fish travels in open water 2-3 feet down from surface and the rest just hang tight to cover.

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I see what you're casting with .... but, what bait are you casting ??

KABOOM

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Originally Posted by CrappiePappy

I see what you're casting with .... but, what bait are you casting ??

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Just simple 1/16oz minnow jig head with a little bit bigger 2.5” plastic. The cover is second tunnel about 50’ out. I need all the help to get the jig out there casting into wind or cross wind. I feel road runner or anything with blade would reduce some distance. Right now the counting method is very important otherwise I would loose my jig every single cast. I also want the hook to be a little bit small to avoid some snag.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Just_Bass

Just simple 1/16oz minnow jig head with a little bit bigger 2.5” plastic. The cover is second tunnel about 50’ out. I need all the help to get the jig out there casting into wind or cross wind. I feel road runner or anything with blade would reduce some distance. Right now the counting method is very important otherwise I would loose my jig every single cast. I also want the hook to be a little bit small to avoid some snag.

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So, are you using any of the Crappie Magnets I sent you, or some other brand jig body ??

Have you ever considered using a 1/16oz weedless jighead to avoid snags, or are these spawning areas you're casting to mostly rocks ?? (weedless jigs don't do any better in rocks than any other type jigs nonono)