Hit or miss on the Chick?

[TnBulldog]

I have been hearing from friends that fish and just talking to other fishermen at the dock that it has been hit or miss and just a weird year on catching fish. Even in my own short experience the past few months it seems that one day you can load the boat and the next your lucky to catch a cold.Has it been difficult for anyone else to stay fish?

[Mstr Dan]

Because of circumstances beyond my control, I have only been able to get of a few times so far this year. As the water warms up I am seeing the catch improve. Now mind you I rarely catch more than a dozen or so on a good day, I am not one to chase from spot to spot. I like fishing the bridges and shooting docks. I also have heard people saying the bite is tough but here and there I run across someone who has been able to find a good spot or spots and bring in a limit. the warmer weather seems to be heating up the bite. It also is brings out the water lice and wake boaters. Just keep trying as often as you can. The spawn is upon us so things should be heating up.

[DockShootinJack]

I have certainly seen lots of fishing rods that look like they are rigged for crappie in vehicles on my way to and from work

[TnBulldog]

Because of circumstances beyond my control, I have only been able to get of a few times so far this year. As the water warms up I am seeing the catch improve. Now mind you I rarely catch more than a dozen or so on a good day, I am not one to chase from spot to spot. I like fishing the bridges and shooting docks. I also have heard people saying the bite is tough but here and there I run across someone who has been able to find a good spot or spots and bring in a limit. the warmer weather seems to be heating up the bite. It also is brings out the water lice and wake boaters. Just keep trying as often as you can. The spawn is upon us so things should be heating up.

Thanks for the reply, and the bite has been hit or miss for me. One day will be a limit on minnows then the next day maybe just a few. Today was the one day i went back to trolling and had 10 nice keepers and yet my buddy and his brother got there limit on minnows. Of coarse is was the one day i didnt bring them. Seems to be the story with me on catching crappie, a day late and a doller short. But yes continuing to go is always the best way to run into a good school of them. And yes Dock Shootin Jack, everyone and then some are trying to snag some. Some areas on the bank you have to take a number and wait in line!

[M GO BLUE]

...didn't get out this weekend but can tell you the past two weekends have been QUIRKY.

2 weeks ago, in a slough fishing 2-5 ft of water where they typically stack up in pre-spawn, drifted jigs under slip corks and temp was 58* Caught 4 fish with a best of 13". Fishing was atypically SLOW.

Then last weekend, same slough - same technique and water was 69* Fished for 4 hours without a bite. THIS MADE ABSOLUTELY NO SENSE TO ME. Decided to hit a main lake creek mouth before trailering and had 5 with a best of 15" before they completely shut down. These fish were sitting in about 4ft of water just off the main channel ledge. NONE OF THESE FISH SHOWED ANY SIGNS OF EGGS OR SPAWNING MARKS.

I have no clue. I can't wait till they go deep again

[TnBulldog]

...didn't get out this weekend but can tell you the past two weekends have been QUIRKY.

2 weeks ago, in a slough fishing 2-5 ft of water where they typically stack up in pre-spawn, drifted jigs under slip corks and temp was 58* Caught 4 fish with a best of 13". Fishing was atypically SLOW.

Then last weekend, same slough - same technique and water was 69* Fished for 4 hours without a bite. THIS MADE ABSOLUTELY NO SENSE TO ME. Decided to hit a main lake creek mouth before trailering and had 5 with a best of 15" before they completely shut down. These fish were sitting in about 4ft of water just off the main channel ledge. NONE OF THESE FISH SHOWED ANY SIGNS OF EGGS OR SPAWNING MARKS.

I have no clue. I can't wait till they go deep again

Yes, this is exactly the same kind of scenario i have been running into. Just no consistent pattern from day to day or week to week. Only solution is to keep fishing and learning.