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i have seen crappie in feb when the water temps were 46 degrees in a foot of water and then in march when the water temps were 58 degrees they would be in 14 ft of water.the most thing i look for in the spring pre-spawn and spawn is water color,clear water will be cooler than stan water and clay banks and rock points will be warmer faster than sand and gray stone banks,there are alot of things in the spring that can make the temp 1 or 2 degrees warmer.
Everything I have ever read from fisheries biologists, etc., has said 55-56 to be the magic number. And I'm sure that varies from author to author. I fished the same ares hard last spring and was catching fish at 46 but all dinks the better ones started coming at 50 and my best day numbers and size including a few brutes was 53 degrees. I have the gut feeling that that may have been completely different in other coves, creeks, sun exposure, bottom strata, etc.. on the same body of water. I think it is all relative-I was shore fishing in 0-2-1/2' of water and feel like I have a feeling for the spawn in that
particular cove but have had several boats and know that the creek channel and mouth of that cove had a whole different agenda going on before, during, and after the fish came to shore. I am talking about Diascund Res. I just know that when the water gets in the mid 40s I have a little jonboat now and will start looking at the likely staging locations. And when that cove reads 53 I will be there standing on shore with the same clothes I wore there last time and trying to duplicate everything to a T!!!!!!!!
Jeff
In general I just try to get out a lot and fish as much area as I can. Any day on the water good or bad is better than sitting home wondering what could have been. I like being out more than almost anything and with a general shallow-deep aproach if God graces me with a few fish to catch It's all worth it.
I got the information below from the B'n'M website (http://www.bnmpoles.com/newsletter/121205/121205.html) today:
"Locate the Thermocline:
During the cold months, many lakes turn over, which means the coldest water will flip to the top with the warmest water on the bottom. Because crappie seek a comfort zone, often they will search for that warmer, deeper water. But usually the slabs prefer some type of cover to hide in and hold on so they can attack baitfish. To pattern wintertime crappie, B'n'M anglers must look for cover along the thermocline where crappie can hole-up. In many lakes and rivers, you may locate this cover on the edges of old creek and river channels and along stump rows where you find warmer water close to the bottom."
Sounds good. A lot of imput.:rolleyes: Let's see, 53 degrees catch the big ones. ;) 58 degrees catch a whole lot. 63 degrees bring plenty of ice both big ones and plenty of them. :eek: I guess the old "Shallow to Deep" search pattern is the way to go. I would thing a little "Lady Luck" being at the right place at the right time when they are "Hungry" is the best bet. Be there in Feburary.:eek:
AC
i think the only part luck plays in fishin is when you get to go!!!after that it requires skill and knowledge to be consistently sucessful...to be at the rite place, at the rite time, fishin the rite way...
I have always heard you should have been here yesterday - or - you are about a week to early
Story of my life.Quote:
Originally Posted by crap-king
I like what JD says just get out and fish. Don't care what gets on my line just as long as its a fish. Beats a good day at work hands down.
dave
in currituck
Well that's one person that likes what I say. :D ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by tahoe 50