Crappies on Fire!

Went to Lemon this morning and launched at 7 am, little wind, 2-4 mph, water surface temp 66, color of water was perfectly stained green/blue, slight ripple on surface, and before I could get 3 crankbaits in the water, had a double fishing in 10-16 ft of water keeping the baits approx. 2' off the bottom, running at 1.4 to 1.6 mph with trolling motor. By 10 am I was loading the boat on the trailer because I had caught over 80 fish and kept 25 all 10.5 to 14 inches. A half dozen were males the rest were females and eggs in most weren't near ready to spawn. Glad to see the issue with eggs as they will last at least a couple of weeks on fire. I couldn't even drink my coffee it was so fast action. Already cleaned the fish and mess up and its 2 pm posting this. If you get a chance..go fishing! This is what we have been waiting for. I called BillBob to see if he wanted to it the lake tomorrow and he called me back. He is at Truman in MO, and getting ready to travel to Arkansas to visit Nimrod,,and he left a message on phone where he was at,,it was on fire also. Colors I used, were PICO Crankbaits, www.picolures.com Smokie Shad and Mud Bug, I just didn't have time to switch colors, but I really think, any color would work as the fish hammered the cranks, and often swallowed them. I did loose 6 or more very nice fish in trying to get them in the boat also. Enjoy the fishing and pic.

Attachment 301061

Good mess and report chuck. Thanks

How do you get them all to pose like that?

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Originally Posted by cevans

Went to Lemon this morning and launched at 7 am, little wind, 2-4 mph, water surface temp 66, color of water was perfectly stained green/blue, slight ripple on surface, and before I could get 3 crankbaits in the water, had a double fishing in 10-16 ft of water keeping the baits approx. 2' off the bottom, running at 1.4 to 1.6 mph with trolling motor. By 10 am I was loading the boat on the trailer because I had caught over 80 fish and kept 25 all 10.5 to 14 inches. A half dozen were males the rest were females and eggs in most weren't near ready to spawn. Glad to see the issue with eggs as they will last at least a couple of weeks on fire. I couldn't even drink my coffee it was so fast action. Already cleaned the fish and mess up and its 2 pm posting this. If you get a chance..go fishing! This is what we have been waiting for. I called BillBob to see if he wanted to it the lake tomorrow and he called me back. He is at Truman in MO, and getting ready to travel to Arkansas to visit Nimrod,,and he left a message on phone where he was at,,it was on fire also. Colors I used, were PICO Crankbaits, www.picolures.com Smokie Shad and Mud Bug, I just didn't have time to switch colors, but I really think, any color would work as the fish hammered the cranks, and often swallowed them. I did loose 6 or more very nice fish in trying to get them in the boat also. Enjoy the fishing and pic.

Attachment 301061

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Great report I think you have inspired me to pull out my crankbaits and give them a try Monday.

On 4/21, I broke the crankbaits out and catch some in 51 degree water. It’s time to crank! Going to crank tomorrow again!

Id think they would be spawning if temps are 66 deg. going to give Raccoon a try tomorrow.

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Originally Posted by cevans

On 4/21, I broke the crankbaits out and catch some in 51 degree water. It’s time to crank! Going to crank tomorrow again!

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I’m new to pico cranks just curious to how much line you are letting out to get to those depths?


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Way to go Chuck!

Fish were suspended and along the edges of main Creek channel. Depending on the depth, and I constantly take in line to bring the crankbaits shallow as the bottom of the lake shallows up as well as let out line to increase the depth the crankbaits will run. But when zig zagging over Creek channel I leave them where they are set. Today, where I was cranking, I was, depending on the bottom depth, 24’ to 40’ of line on the line counter reels and you would have to subtract 5-6’ of line to use the Bandit crankbaits charts and add a foot for the PICO’s as they will run a foot deeper than the arkies and Bandits.

Attachment 301099

The 5-6 ft of line your subtracting, is from the tip of your rod to where it enter the water to estimate your depth the crankbaits will run using the 300 size of Bandits off the above chart. I try and keep my crankbaits off the bottom 1 to 3 ft as everybody that fishes the bank, will catch fish but also a ton of small fish. I find the larger crappies still deep and so that is where I concentrate on. I have, at Cataract, used just 5-6 ft of line out on my 12’ rods trolling the crankbaits 3-5 ft from the bank, shallow, baits running 1-2 ft. deep, using 300 bandits, and caught spawning crappie off shallow points straight out from the front of the boat. It can be done. I have also done it on Monroe against the brush lines in high water running crankbaits down the bank skirting the brushlines. I also adjust my rod holders so,that my rod tips are close,to,the surface of the water depending on the wave size. Today my rod tips were 18 inches from the surface and so you can decrease the amount of line out of the water adjusting your rod tips. I also use 10 lb power pro yellow slick braid and it is equiviliant to 4 lb test mono in size dia. Okuma DX 20s and 12’ Southern Pro Crappie rods on the outside of the front of the boat and a 7’ Roger Gant custom rod so as not to get the line in the motor on tight turns. Rods are your preference as all work fine. Rod holders are Hi Teks. Hope this answers your questions.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by cevans

Fish were suspended and along the edges of main Creek channel. Depending on the depth, and I constantly take in line to bring the crankbaits shallow as the bottom of the lake shallows up as well as let out line to increase the depth the crankbaits will run. But when zig zagging over Creek channel I leave them where they are set. Today, where I was cranking, I was, depending on the bottom depth, 24’ to 40’ of line on the line counter reels and you would have to subtract 5-6’ of line to use the Bandit crankbaits charts and add a foot for the PICO’s as they will run a foot deeper than the arkies and Bandits.

Attachment 301099

The 5-6 ft of line your subtracting, is from the tip of your rod to where it enter the water to estimate your depth the crankbaits will run using the 300 size of Bandits off the above chart. I try and keep my crankbaits off the bottom 1 to 3 ft as everybody that fishes the bank, will catch fish but also a ton of small fish. I find the larger crappies still deep and so that is where I concentrate on. I have, at Cataract, used just 5-6 ft of line out on my 12’ rods trolling the crankbaits 3-5 ft from the bank, shallow, baits running 1-2 ft. deep, using 300 bandits, and caught spawning crappie off shallow points straight out from the front of the boat. It can be done. I have also done it on Monroe against the brush lines in high water running crankbaits down the bank skirting the brushlines. I also adjust my rod holders so,that my rod tips are close,to,the surface of the water depending on the wave size. Today my rod tips were 18 inches from the surface and so you can decrease the amount of line out of the water adjusting your rod tips. I also use 10 lb power pro yellow slick braid and it is equiviliant to 4 lb test mono in size dia. Okuma DX 20s and 12’ Southern Pro Crappie rods on the outside of the front of the boat and a 7’ Roger Gant custom rod so as not to get the line in the motor on tight turns. Rods are your preference as all work fine. Rod holders are Hi Teks. Hope this answers your questions.

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Yes sir you a very knowledgeable cranker...lol thanks for the info I hope my mudbugs and zombies find the fish like you did.


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Nice fish

Quote:

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Originally Posted by cevans

Went to Lemon this morning and launched at 7 am, little wind, 2-4 mph, water surface temp 66, color of water was perfectly stained green/blue, slight ripple on surface, and before I could get 3 crankbaits in the water, had a double fishing in 10-16 ft of water keeping the baits approx. 2' off the bottom, running at 1.4 to 1.6 mph with trolling motor. By 10 am I was loading the boat on the trailer because I had caught over 80 fish and kept 25 all 10.5 to 14 inches. A half dozen were males the rest were females and eggs in most weren't near ready to spawn. Glad to see the issue with eggs as they will last at least a couple of weeks on fire. I couldn't even drink my coffee it was so fast action. Already cleaned the fish and mess up and its 2 pm posting this. If you get a chance..go fishing! This is what we have been waiting for. I called BillBob to see if he wanted to it the lake tomorrow and he called me back. He is at Truman in MO, and getting ready to travel to Arkansas to visit Nimrod,,and he left a message on phone where he was at,,it was on fire also. Colors I used, were PICO Crankbaits, www.picolures.com Smokie Shad and Mud Bug, I just didn't have time to switch colors, but I really think, any color would work as the fish hammered the cranks, and often swallowed them. I did loose 6 or more very nice fish in trying to get them in the boat also. Enjoy the fishing and pic.

Attachment 301061

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Great fish, report and info. I did the limit too but not the size you brought in. Pulled jigs marking spots that had bigger fish then went back later to swim jigs over and in weeds. Sat on one spot and caught and released dozens. Then suddenly it was over, no more on any marker. Others at cleaning shed reported the same.

Nice job catching.

Congratulations on a great day of fishing, always enjoy your reports.

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by cevans

Went to Lemon this morning and launched at 7 am, little wind, 2-4 mph, water surface temp 66, color of water was perfectly stained green/blue, slight ripple on surface, and before I could get 3 crankbaits in the water, had a double fishing in 10-16 ft of water keeping the baits approx. 2' off the bottom, running at 1.4 to 1.6 mph with trolling motor. By 10 am I was loading the boat on the trailer because I had caught over 80 fish and kept 25 all 10.5 to 14 inches. A half dozen were males the rest were females and eggs in most weren't near ready to spawn. Glad to see the issue with eggs as they will last at least a couple of weeks on fire. I couldn't even drink my coffee it was so fast action. Already cleaned the fish and mess up and its 2 pm posting this. If you get a chance..go fishing! This is what we have been waiting for. I called BillBob to see if he wanted to it the lake tomorrow and he called me back. He is at Truman in MO, and getting ready to travel to Arkansas to visit Nimrod,,and he left a message on phone where he was at,,it was on fire also. Colors I used, were PICO Crankbaits, www.picolures.com Smokie Shad and Mud Bug, I just didn't have time to switch colors, but I really think, any color would work as the fish hammered the cranks, and often swallowed them. I did loose 6 or more very nice fish in trying to get them in the boat also. Enjoy the fishing and pic.

Attachment 301061

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Thank you for sharing your technique. I went to Lemon today to try and replicate your success. Kept 9 that went from 10 1/2”-12 1/2”. Wind got up around noon and gave me fits since my TM is foot controlled. I’d post a picture but don’t know how.
I’m trying to get enough crappie fillets for a fish fry over Memorial Day at the campground in Brown County.


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When it’s windy, drift with the wind and use the trolling motor for stabilization. I keep a couple of drift socks in the boat. So does locator79 and I think he will also drag a chain if needed to slow the drift down to whatever speed is needed to troll. Glad you caught fish too.