When everyone is referring to the gravel pits are you talking about the little isolated spots below off of the main water?
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When everyone is referring to the gravel pits are you talking about the little isolated spots below off of the main water?
Attachment 387413
Yes sir.
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Ok, full disclosure as they say. I usually park at the old bridge and drag/float my kayak to the creek (blue line) during the winter since the gate is closed for closer access.
The red stars are deeper holes that I always fish if I have time and the yellow circles are the three main old gravel pits that I can paddle into off the creek, even during low water. Many of the other pits hold fish, but they can only come in and out during high water. Any area that has 18 to 24 inches of water and a lay down along the creek may hold a couple of fish, so I prospect them tossing a small spinner while moving.
Once the creek turns southwest entering into the bay, there's numerous old stumps on the bottom. This area seems empty of Crappie on many trips, but during low water and low flow you can find them stacked in this area, especially in the spring. I've anchored there many years and caught Crappie until I has tired of taking them off the hook.
I often put in and paddle to the bay, then work my way back to the bridge. That way if I run short on time I'm working back to my vehicle instead of away. The Crappie move around following the bait and often won't be in the same area. One trip they'll be in the deeper holes, next scattered in the pits. I've even found them during low water flow in the middle of the creek hitting shad on the surface in 18 inches of water.
someone should take a chainsaw to the southern most pit as the passages are blocked to the point of having to work to get in it by fighting thru deadfalls that may fall further and pin someone and make gator bait out of him...I couldnt get mine to start....LOLQuote:
Originally Posted by Ditch Basser
I can paddle in from the east, but the southern entry is blocked by a down tree. It's an easy drag from the pit to the north though. I kind of like it, keeps the big boats out when the lake is up, LOL.
LOL, we really do fish all the same spots. You probably have markers on all my trees in the lower end, and over at Indian Creek too.
Speaking of fishing your way back if it gets late, I was paddling/dragging my kayak to the bridge in the dark this evening with just my cell phone flashlight. I only caught 5 that measured, but one was over 14". I should have kept the bluegill I was catching, but I thought I'd have a bigger mess of crappie.
I've caught a ton of gills in Limestone this fall, but nothing over 7 inches. I usually get many around 9, not sure where they are? Maybe once the water drops another foot they'll start to concentrate. I'd sure like to get a few large gills before the water turns cold and the larger ones move deep.
with the water high, I was able to float carefully thru the deadfall you speak of but with it down my flatbottom is to heavy to float in mud (LOL) and the short drag for a kayak is a long way for 250-300 lbs of boat , gear and beer....I have been launching at the ramp across the bay too which is a 30 min comute with a 40lbs trolling motor...
I have always concentrated on the main creek, but will for sure try and check out those shallower pits next time I'm out there. With this rain over the next couple of days I doubt it will be anytime this week before I go out there. It seems to take forever for that place to go back to normal looking water after a rain.
I probably caught 10-12 gills Friday. Only brought 2 home. The rest were small. Caught my first red breast which was good size. But it was to pretty so I turned it back. Yeah I’m a softy about some things. Lol
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You need to float Limestone Creek upstream a couple miles from old Hwy 20 during late summer with low water, some of the prettiest Redbreast You'll see anywhere.
It's not looking good for Saturday. USGS Current Conditions for USGS 03576250 LIMESTONE CREEK NEAR ATHENS AL
I may have to go to Madison County Lake, LOL!
Yep. I was planning on going Friday. And was considering changing my plans for Saturday because I sure would love to go. But don’t think I will now. Lol
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And if I remember I’ll do that this summer. They are sure pretty fish.
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I've caught quite a few decent sized bluegill at limestone my last couple of trips over there. None of them were world records, but they were bigger than most of the crappie I've caught this month.
And I have to agree about Saturday. If I go this weekend I think I'm going to explore some new water near my new house.
If it’s not to bad I may try duck river Friday. DB will this make them leave or will it still be good when the water goes down and clears?
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The old rule is fish feed ahead of fronts and shut down with bluebird sky's after. I can still do ok in shallow water because there's no where for them to go. With no deep refuges they move to shade (bluebird sky's) and cover. You can't make them eat, but shallow water fish seem to always be eating if there's an opportunity. I'd be concerned that duck creek crappie might move deeper and with no thermocline to limit them that's a very deep lake.
At least at Madison County Lake they're limited to 30 feet and many should be near the brush piles. I might only get one or two off any brush pile, but at least I know where they'll be. Just my two cents.
Limestone may be ok also, depends on how much more rain we get and how fast the water drops and cleans up by Saturday. I'll probably decide Friday night, but if there's any chance I might still go to Limestone.
By the way, Crappie will stay in Limestone in good numbers until the water temperature drops into the upper 40's. More water for a few days will just bring more bait and Crappie into the area.
Makes a lot of sense sir. I’m bad about not taking the obvious into consideration. Was just thinking maybe it wouldn’t be as muddy as some places.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ditch Basser
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That's why Madison County Lake is my go to after heavy rain. It typically doesn't muddy much and has limited cover. The couple trips I've made to Duck River, there's cover everywhere from sticking out of the water all the way to the bottom.
And glad to hear that about limestone. I don’t like being around a bunch of boats and things. I like it there.
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What’s the safest path back there from the main river. 181/2 ft ranger bass boat is what I drive when I’m in that area. Always been afraid of stumps/shallow water and don’t venture out into the bay
theres no going back there in a bass boat during winter unless high water from rains....you would have to cross a mile of 1-3 ft water covering hundreds of stumps....some places the water is only 6 inches deep and the bottom is silted up 2-3 ft so if you have to hop out to push off a stump it can be like standing in quick sand and shoes or not your feet will be black on the bottom for weeks...dont know what causes that canoes, kayaks and small flatbottoms....it can be a struggle in a 12 ft flat bottom....Quote:
Originally Posted by Treeshaka
I don't have any experience in crossing the bay in a large boat.
I can bang my kayak off a stump or run into 2" of water in my kayak during the winter draw down in most of the bay once I'm out of the creek. There isn't a channel you can follow from the bay into the northern end where I like to fish, it just widens out into a large flat.
Looks like wind tomorrow is 5 to 10 with gust to 20 so Madison County Lake is out.
I guess I'll be going to Limestone and seeing if I can strain some Crappie out of the muddy water!
I was gonna go down there today. Then got an invite from a member on here and was going with him. But at last minute had to work.
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Work always interferes with fishing!!