got any sidescan pics of deep suspended crappie in Winter?

Here on Rayburn I am told that during the winter the crappie move up the lake and suspend over or near the river channel in close proximity to the bait schools, much like they do at the Chicken Coop on Torpedo Bend. I've never done any winter crappie fishing, so I am starting at ground zero. Does anyone have any screen saves of what I should be looking for on my sidescan (or on downscan for that matter)? What does a school of winter crappie even look like suspended out in the lake over a inundated river channel or its old bank? Got any winter screen saves with shad balls out over a breakline in close proximity to the crappie? Thanks!

Kind of in same boat as you.... This is my second year to call myself a crappie fisherman and first year to try any winter fishing. Have been using FF to located brush piles and structure only. Went out a few weekends ago in central Tx trying to find suspended fish, but no luck.

I will be dragging boat to E Texas Saturday for the week and plan on doing same as you and fish Rayburn. Will be launching from/near San Augustine park and head up creek from there. Will be only second time on lake. If I see any thing interesting will let you know.

Would be nice to get a report from you as well. In the main crappie forum, there is a sticky full of pics. check it out.

danny

Quote:

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Originally Posted by fishfried

Kind of in same boat as you.... This is my second year to call myself a crappie fisherman and first year to try any winter fishing. Have been using FF to located brush piles and structure only. Went out a few weekends ago in central Tx trying to find suspended fish, but no luck.

I will be dragging boat to E Texas Saturday for the week and plan on doing same as you and fish Rayburn. Will be launching from/near San Augustine park and head up creek from there. Will be only second time on lake. If I see any thing interesting will let you know.

Would be nice to get a report from you as well. In the main crappie forum, there is a sticky full of pics. check it out.

danny

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Danny, forgot to tell you...The bass are awesome in the backs of creeks about this time of year too. Fan-cast a 1/2 oz shad RatLTrap as you work your way back along the creek channels into the bays and pockets, you know the classic fall strategy...but it works so good here. They are so easy to locate and limit. If they slow, switch to a swim bait like a Storm Wild Eye soft plastic. Good burgers at Powell Park Marina. BEST though is in Broaddus, from Thurs through Sunday. There is a fairly new (last spring) buffet there that features fried catfish. The best catfish I have ever consumed. The chef is a World Champ on ribs, and his ribs are on the buffet too, secondary to his catfish! The catfish is that good. The rest is home cooking, non Sysco. Worth the drive

These are Doug's showing deep crappie ... but 70° is not really winter ...

http://i477.photobucket.com/albums/r...psinnjyhaa.png

http://i477.photobucket.com/albums/r...psnuzog0z6.png

http://i477.photobucket.com/albums/r...psk4zuskya.png

There's a few more here ...:
Fish Species Images: Crappie

Rickie

Thanks Snake! I see the crappie school in the deep blue water column. On the bottom to the right of the crappie, is that just the crappie's "shadow" or is that something else?

That's some good imaging Rick. Thanks for posting that. Are those off of a Lowrance?

those pics look to be from a bird 1100 series unit

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Tonykarter

Thanks Snake! I see the crappie school in the deep blue water column. On the bottom to the right of the crappie, is that just the crappie's "shadow" or is that something else?

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Yes Tony you can see the shadows on the bottom to the right of the fish.

Skeetbum, those images are from a bird.

Lowrance.

http://i1187.photobucket.com/albums/...61/shot4-1.png
http://i1187.photobucket.com/albums/...61/shot3-1.png
http://i1187.photobucket.com/albums/...61/shot2-1.png
http://i1187.photobucket.com/albums/...1/shot12-1.png
http://i1187.photobucket.com/albums/...pse66b2504.png
http://i1187.photobucket.com/albums/...psdd4fd13b.png

look good

nice pic's Justin

Thanks guys! I am now better prepared thanks to y'all. Anyone with first-hand knowledge of the crappie move up the river channel on Rayburn?

Very easy to catch when like this. <*)}}}><Attachment 180153Attachment 180154

Thank you so much. That is what they look like on a drop-off, huh? I hope I can find the same.

WERE U ZIG ZAG THE DROP OFF,PIC LOOK GOOD

Nice shot CC...boy they are stacked in there good!

Tony,

Picked up a few off brushpiles near San Augustine park. 14' -16' deep in 20' water on minnows. really slow.... going to try 147 bridge tomorrow.

this is the only pic of fish I got. Sorry...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by fishfried

Kind of in same boat as you.... This is my second year to call myself a crappie fisherman and first year to try any winter fishing. Have been using FF to located brush piles and structure only. Went out a few weekends ago in central Tx trying to find suspended fish, but no luck.

I will be dragging boat to E Texas Saturday for the week and plan on doing same as you and fish Rayburn. Will be launching from/near San Augustine park and head up creek from there. Will be only second time on lake. If I see any thing interesting will let you know.

Would be nice to get a report from you as well. In the main crappie forum, there is a sticky full of pics. check it out.

danny

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Cool!

Attachment 181198 Here's some in thirty ft of water