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Guys I'm new to crappie fishing and taking my boat out for the first time this weekend. Supposed to be great weather for January. I fish on the Tombigbee river. What rigs/bait would you use this time of year considering it's going to be 70 Degrees this weekend. Any advice an Tips would be greatly appreciated.
I'm not familiar with that area or tactics but as a new crappie fisherman, you need to be much more concerned with water temps than ambient temps. One nice day after a cold snap will fire up fishermen but it take a few degrees warmer water to fire up wintertime crappie normally.Quote:
Originally Posted by gcrarms1904
Welcome to the site. My folks had some good friends from Tupelo who have passed on.
What Mrdux said. The outside temp does not matter as much as the water temps. I have never fished that water so maybe some of the other guys who do will chime in shortly.
Welcome to the addiction my friend!! I have always felt it was more important to 'hunt' crappie before you 'catch' crappie. That being said, I'd start shallow (3-5 fow) and work presentations slow to fast, not spending much time on either. If they aren't in the 3-5 fow range, go to 6-9 fow range and do the same. Main thing to remember is, "if they aren't there, they aren't there".....don't hang around in unproductive waters or you'll go nuts. Keep moving till you 'find' them. Look for balls of shad, or birds diving for shad, anything that says fish are feeding. This may sound stewpit, but as a beginner, I'd take a little note book along and make notes of water temps, air temps, cloudy or not, wind speeds and direction, methods tried, jigs used, depths fished, etc. After several trips and a review of notes taken, you'll find some patterns, some consistencies that'll help in this learning process. Main thing is be patient, and go with a plan....and HAVE FUN!!!
I fish the Tombigbee fairly regularly further south of your home town of Tupelo. The river is more stained here than it is at Bay Springs. Normally they can be caught during the winter in my area anywhere from 12-18' deep in water ranging from 15-25. The clearer waters of the Bay Springs area can cause the winter crappie to concentrate much deeper. I love winter fishing because once you do locate them, they are consistently caught on the same pattern until something disrupts the pattern.
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Guys I truly appreciate the advice.
This ole boy knows the Tenn Tom. Great advise is hard to get. I'd take his in a heart beat.Quote:
Originally Posted by feeshrman
Thanks Bill
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I fish Aliceville a lot, target deep drop offs with structure. I've been doing good on white jig or a combination white /??.
Soft bite for sure, nice weather but fish aren't real aggressive. I managed two (one yesterday afternoon & one this morning). Lost a 3lb crappie trying to get the net under him yesterday afternoon. They fattening up for sure. Missed dozens of light bites also. Three fish in the boat these two and one white bass.
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Just go and try them out, people on the water and at the ramps are often willing to share advice as well [emoji106]
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White bass are not fish, they are fertilizer!!!!!!
Ain't got nothing to fertilize this early in the year. I donated that one to those big ole fish pelicans seeing ain't no turtles either. The two big crappie going on the grill in just a few :yikesQuote:
Originally Posted by Rees Guide
Amen!!!Quote:
Originally Posted by Rees Guide
Well I went out Saturday and didn't get one bite. Carried a friend yesterday who knew of a few spots with brush piles. We caught 16 but all of which were 7-8 inches. We only caught one over the 9 inch mark.
I'm going to give you the best advice that you can get. Crappie are like woman just when you think you got them figured out it all changes these fish will humble you very quickly get you a journal write everything down even if you don't think it's important that piece of paper don't forget. Don't let Noone tell you the fish aren't biting they eat everyday and when you hear about a report your 2 weeks late that's why you go when you can. And if you find a Hotspot keep your mouth shut unless you want the whole lake in you back pocket now don't get me wrong it's ok to give out some info but be careful. You should look up the story of bo and joe that birddown wrote very good story
Well a couple good things I see from that report. 1. You got on the water and gave it a try which is a blessing in itself.. 2. You know where they were not that day but you know a few spots to try. Keep a journal and note even what didn't work. It just takes time and patience! Fish are still there, like my ole uncle would say, they didn't pack up and leave.