Cebskimo's HOT Day in the Swamp

Well, I guess that I was the only Arky Eskimo who decided to brave the elements yesterday on Conway. Went to the cove, thanks to Don's (DP) guidance and tips. Got there around 12:30 and immediately caught one under the bridge. Picked up a couple more in the inlet, but the bigger fish came from about 10' deep at the mouth and in the middle of the cove, right on the bottom. Saw lots of fish on the finder sittin' on the bottom. Almost all of the crappie hit large shiners or a jig tipped with medium shiners. The yellow bass had a preference for the rosies yesterday. It's been a long, long time since the shiners outdid the rosies. The important thing was that they were wanting a large profile moving very slow.

I ended up with 15 crappie, 3 of which weighed in at 1lb 13oz. Also had a 1lb yellow bass! It was a great day to be on the water, and it won't be too long before I head back to the cove for some more of that hot action.

The catch...
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j1...c/DCFC0060.jpg

Two of the three big 'uns...
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j1...c/DCFC0063.jpg

Ceb; Fine catch!! It's good to know that I wasn't the only one out yesterday in that fine weather!! At 7:30 when I put in, the lake was whitecapping from the wind. It started sleeting at 11 and turned to rain at 12. I guess me and you were hard up for a crappie fix!! I leave on the 11th to spend the rest of the month in NC, so yesterday was my last day to fish until March.

Nice mess of fish Chris! When you go out in those conditions, it is always nice when you can catch something so you can show the others that you AREN'T CRAZY!! :D

Those pictures make me feel like I am going to be ill....NICE catch man. I have to admit, being out in TERRIBLE weather conditions are my luckiest moments EVER fishing...were they lethargic? Thanks for the pics, gives me hope that somewhere fish are being caught =).

Nice looking catch man. Cant belive you got Eunice to came out in these horrible conditions to even snap that photo.

I bet you could walk from boat to boat up there this weekend when all those that sit on the sidelines and never sign up and post see your catch.

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Originally Posted by Mo'nBack

Ceb; Fine catch!! It's good to know that I wasn't the only one out yesterday in that fine weather!! At 7:30 when I put in, the lake was whitecapping from the wind. It started sleeting at 11 and turned to rain at 12. I guess me and you were hard up for a crappie fix!! I leave on the 11th to spend the rest of the month in NC, so yesterday was my last day to fish until March.

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I was definitely hard up for a crappie fix! It's nice to load up the cooler in a couple of hours, but I would've been just as happy sittin' out there all day without a fish. Winter is without a doubt my favorite time to be on the water.

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Originally Posted by shadow

Nice mess of fish Chris! When you go out in those conditions, it is always nice when you can catch something so you can show the others that you AREN'T CRAZY!! :D

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I've been told that I'm crazy so many times for going fishing on days such as today and yesterday, that I'm starting to believe it. But, I'll tell you one thing, you won't ever find a happier crazy guy around here...:D

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Originally Posted by minnowman

Those pictures make me feel like I am going to be ill....NICE catch man. I have to admit, being out in TERRIBLE weather conditions are my luckiest moments EVER fishing...were they lethargic? Thanks for the pics, gives me hope that somewhere fish are being caught =).

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Sorry, MM. I didn't intend to make you sick!:D Given that you are on the right type of lake, the nastiest of winter days can be some of the hottest crappie fishing around. They were very, very lethargic. Water temp was a balmy 38 degrees. They would hit pretty good, but they weren't doing much kicking in the livewell...

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Originally Posted by gooch

Nice looking catch man. Cant belive you got Eunice to came out in these horrible conditions to even snap that photo.

I bet you could walk from boat to boat up there this weekend when all those that sit on the sidelines and never sign up and post see your catch.

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You didn't know that I taught the dog how to take pics? Only problem is that he gets some slober on the lens every now and then...but, he does a pretty good job wouldn't you say?:D

I don't believe that I have any desire to be out there with another 20 or so boats. And you're right, it seems that there's a lot more take than give with the majority. Maybe one day they will buck up and register. Everyone has at least one piece of knowledge to share, and just one tip could help a lot of other fisherman increase their enjoyment and catch rates...

Hey Chris, that's a great catch. I'm really itching to get out there. I'll probably try Morgan Point this weekend. With the surface temp at 38, that means the the bottom temp is 39.2, that's some cold water, no wonder they are lethargic. Thanks for posting your catch, it's keeping me enthused.

Thats a darn good catch there , Chris. Maybe you should give Dale some. :rolleyes:

Chris,
That's making me envious, and wanting to go fishing. :(
I still can't figure out how I got so much to do after the first of the year EVERY year. :mad:
I guess that Arkansas water is draining down to us, and when it's gone from here, maybe we can catch when we go.
Right now it don't matter, cause you got a fine mess of fish right there for sure. :)
Hang in there and don't slow down like I did, cause somebody will put you to work! :mad:

You did good Man!

Randy

So those are yellow bass I've been catching at Conway, been calling them stripers? Whatever they are the lake's full of 'em.

You're the 3rd person I've heard say large shiners were the ticket recently.

Good catch Chris. I am going "somewhere" this Sunday come hell or high water. Duck season is over (I actually went a whole 2 times) and getting my boat back rigged to slay some Crappie.

Nice catch Chris, and you don't have to go fishin in bad weather to be crazy...lol.. And I agree, some of the best times are when the weather is the worse. Best trip I had was when we got caught in a heavy rain storm.....Congrats again............Johnny

There ain't no doubt that boy likes to fish!! Way to go CEB!

Nice catch CEB. The biggest problem I've had back in the cove is that at certain times it is so popular you can't get in there. Glad to see you're doing well. Still waiting to ge the go ahead to get back out there.

Keep posting. It makes me feel good to see all those fish.

Hey J, I think that you're right about the over-crowding problem. I can't imagine being out there with anymore than 10 boats in the area. That cove will probably always be a weekday spot for me. I can't wait till you get back out on the water, J. The Little Maumelle is gonna be bumpin' by that time with all of the cover that's gonna soon be sinkin'.

The greatest thing about the trip yesterday was coming back to the launch and seeing "Rodeo - America's #1 Sport" spray-painted on the railroad trussel. Yep, I got a pretty good chuckle out of that...

Hey Randy, I sure hope that we don't send anymore water your way. I know that y'all have had about all you want of that stuff. It looks like the northern LA waters are producing quite well, though. I would love to get back across the state line in the near future.

Hey LazyJ, you can't mis-id those pesky yellow bass. The photo doesn't really show it well, but they will all have a yellow tint to them on the bottom half (which you will never see on a striper, hybrid, or white). Most are too small to fool with, but once they get a little size to them, they're just right for the frying pan. You're right about the large shiners, and it's weird because most of the time I have to downsize in the winter. I guess they are just wanting an easy, filling meal. Lord knows I don't want to sit down to a spoonful of chili on a cold day; it better be a pot full...:D

Man oh Man!!
While you were out doing that I was listening to every story you can imagine as to why we need to bug out due to the weather.

I was wondering how you would do with all of the brush that has been placed in there. I see some riggers get into a terrible fix sometimes. I got into trouble for fishing out there while I was gettiong sick last weekend. I doubt I will be allowed to go this weekend. I might cut those crepe myrtles.

I am glad you got some fish. They restocked with the refill; so it will only get better in the coming years.
BTY Those yellow bass just got big enough to keep this year.
DP

HEY! What's so funny CEB? Ain't rodeo America's number one sport?

All kidding aside. That area around Gold Creek is an strange area in a way, full of many and varried types of fisherman. I've met some very colorful people back in there...all of them catching a hell of a lot more fish than I am. But it does get crowded on a weekend, particularly in spring.

So, what's this "brush sinkin'" going on at the Little Maumelle? You and Gooch got your chainsaws fired up? You all let me know when you're down there sometime. I'd like to help as much as I can.

Keep catchin' 'em.

J

I intended to mention that I ordered some Crappie.Com stickers just to support the sight a little (along with my calender). I will put these on both of my boats along with my handel so I will be reconized. I wondered how many of my .Com buddies were out there that I have not met face to face.

I recomend at least a couple of weekend trips just to watch what all goes on. I have observed so many techniques that my mind goes fuzzy trying to remember them all. Funny how sometimes one boat out of the 20 or 30 boats is the only one catching fish (sometimes it is me; most of the time it ain't).

Ceb
When those Red Ears get on the flats, you may want to learn how to cast a jig under cork again. It shouldn't be long now.
DP

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Originally Posted by jhook

HEY! What's so funny CEB? Ain't rodeo America's number one sport?

All kidding aside. That area around Gold Creek is an strange area in a way, full of many and varried types of fisherman. I've met some very colorful people back in there...all of them catching a hell of a lot more fish than I am. But it does get crowded on a weekend, particularly in spring.

So, what's this "brush sinkin'" going on at the Little Maumelle? You and Gooch got your chainsaws fired up? You all let me know when you're down there sometime. I'd like to help as much as I can.

Keep catchin' 'em.

J

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Hey J, I don't really know why it was so funny. I guess it just caught me off guard. My ol' lady's dad had a license plate on the front of his truck that said the same thing. He caught a lot of slack over that plate, and his own daughter wouldn't even ride in the truck with him...:D

I'm sure that you already know about the brush sinkin'. We are gonna all sink some out on the Little Maumelle when we have our little meet-n-greet/nightstalk out there.

BTW...I'm gonna be headin' somewhere this weekend. Probably either the lil Maumelle or Conway. You're more than welcome to just come sit in the boat for a little while. It might help you to get out and get some fresh air without having to go through all the work of loadin' your boat up and such...

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Originally Posted by DRPEPPER

I intended to mention that I ordered some Crappie.Com stickers just to support the sight a little (along with my calender). I will put these on both of my boats along with my handel so I will be reconized. I wondered how many of my .Com buddies were out there that I have not met face to face.

I recomend at least a couple of weekend trips just to watch what all goes on. I have observed so many techniques that my mind goes fuzzy trying to remember them all. Funny how sometimes one boat out of the 20 or 30 boats is the only one catching fish (sometimes it is me; most of the time it ain't).

Ceb
When those Red Ears get on the flats, you may want to learn how to cast a jig under cork again. It shouldn't be long now.
DP

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Hey Don, in reference to the post you made on the other thread...You know I wouldn't tease you about goin' out there (when I actually didn't). Well maybe a little bit...I can see now, you can't call my bluff...you better watch out...:D

You better settle down with all that redear talk. You're gonna get my blood pressure up before it's time to get out there and haul in some of those pigs. In the meantime, I'll get the old float n' fly rod ready and start practicing...

So you don't think that you'll make it out this weekend? A little crappie slime will help out that cold you're fightin'.:cool: If I do decide to venture out to the cove this weekend, what time should I be prepared to launch?

I forgot to mention that the brush out there in the cove didn't give me a minutes trouble. I crawled all through it with my rigs and only had 2 hang-ups that actually occured in the same exact spot. One interesting note about getting hung-up out there...When I got hung-up the first time, I did my little trick to get it out and in the clear. Laid the pole back down in the holder and it started bending back down. I was sittin' there thinkin', this can't be possible. Gettin' hung-up on the same pole back to back? Come to find out, a pound and half crappie was tuggin' on the other end. He hit the same pole that was just hung-up in the same exact spot. I must say that was a first for me...:eek:

Oh yeah, Joe...Don't miss the reply I made to your post at the bottom of page 2 of this thread...

CEB -- I really appreciate the invite. Had my last follow up appt today and the doc says hold off on the fishing until the weather gets a little warmer. That's fine. Can't say I feel 100 percent up to it. But, I do thank you very much.

I need to read the meet and geet post. Haven't been paying enough attention.

I'll be starting back to work (half day) Monday and hopefully full time week after next.

Good looking fish and caught in my kind of weather-COLD! Stay at em and show us some more!:) STEVE

Hey Steve, glad to know that your one of the few people that would join me in the boat on a day like that. I sure do enjoy those cold water crappie! When are you gonna make it up this way, Steve?

Between Honey do's, work, and the things I want to do, I just can't answer that.:o I think we all have the best intentions it's just following through with them. I can guarantee you when I come up that way on a bike ride I will give you a call! STEVE

I know Steve. If only we could all spend a couple of weeks free from the slaves of daily life without answering to nobody, well, I guess we'd be called bums then...:D

But seriously, all you have to do is let me know. I'd be happy to host you for a weekend and direct you to some fine backroading travels for you and your machine.