MNfisher
03-31-2013, 07:22 PM
My wife was singing at all 3 services today at church and when she woke up at 5:45 to get ready, i also woke up and was not that tired, so I grabbed my waders and rods and headed to the lake to fish before I met her for the 3rd service.
It was an amazing day! I enjoyed the company of many woodducks, bluewinged teal buzzing my head, several mallards, and some shovelers. Also in the perfectly calm morning without even a ripple on the lake and a beautiful fog creeping in with slight mist in the air, I watched 2 loons doing their mating ritual dances across the bay for a good hour! Along with all the nature, i never saw a boat or another person. It was the perfect morning!
The first spot I walked in the water and made a cast i barely had my bail closed on the reel and the 2 lb test was screaming. A nice close to 13" crappie was in hand shortly. 45 minutes later and no more bites there. I noticed the water was VERY clear there. I walked a good half mile or better to the other side of the cove. There the water was very cloudy and the shad were flipping everywhere. Here is where the fun began! Over the next few hours I caught exactly 28 crappie, in which 26 of them were between 10 1/2" and 12 1/2". I missed lots and had just as many get off half way to me. All were VERY thick across the back and about 80% were females that looked like they all swallowed tennis balls! the other 2 were 7-8 inchers, the only 2 shorts i caught. I also had several yellow bass. Since there was so much shad flipping on the surface, I tossed several flukes/jerkbaits/swimbaits amongst them, but no takers. I never did see anything bust up the shad, but only a matter of time with all the bait there.
Since all the shad were in there, i knew it would happen sooner or later and sure enough, about 20 minutes before I left I set the hook and the Sahara 1000 was screaming at full speed! 5 minutes later I landed a nice 3lb hybrid. I also managed to get in about a 4-5 lb drum. It was an amazing morning that I will not forget anytime soon!
The peace and serenity was incredible! The fish were a bonus!
I am guessing the big fish will be showing themselves shallow very soon as it warms this week!
Still looking for that 15"+ crappie!
Happy Easter to all!
It was an amazing day! I enjoyed the company of many woodducks, bluewinged teal buzzing my head, several mallards, and some shovelers. Also in the perfectly calm morning without even a ripple on the lake and a beautiful fog creeping in with slight mist in the air, I watched 2 loons doing their mating ritual dances across the bay for a good hour! Along with all the nature, i never saw a boat or another person. It was the perfect morning!
The first spot I walked in the water and made a cast i barely had my bail closed on the reel and the 2 lb test was screaming. A nice close to 13" crappie was in hand shortly. 45 minutes later and no more bites there. I noticed the water was VERY clear there. I walked a good half mile or better to the other side of the cove. There the water was very cloudy and the shad were flipping everywhere. Here is where the fun began! Over the next few hours I caught exactly 28 crappie, in which 26 of them were between 10 1/2" and 12 1/2". I missed lots and had just as many get off half way to me. All were VERY thick across the back and about 80% were females that looked like they all swallowed tennis balls! the other 2 were 7-8 inchers, the only 2 shorts i caught. I also had several yellow bass. Since there was so much shad flipping on the surface, I tossed several flukes/jerkbaits/swimbaits amongst them, but no takers. I never did see anything bust up the shad, but only a matter of time with all the bait there.
Since all the shad were in there, i knew it would happen sooner or later and sure enough, about 20 minutes before I left I set the hook and the Sahara 1000 was screaming at full speed! 5 minutes later I landed a nice 3lb hybrid. I also managed to get in about a 4-5 lb drum. It was an amazing morning that I will not forget anytime soon!
The peace and serenity was incredible! The fish were a bonus!
I am guessing the big fish will be showing themselves shallow very soon as it warms this week!
Still looking for that 15"+ crappie!
Happy Easter to all!