Thread: Lake Weiss 2012

terry, i have always heard about the good times when they get on the river ledges and behind the log jams, but havent ever got down there when they were red hot.

should be about time to start on the ledges now

White crappie was once the dominate species, but now the black crappie is by far the more common crappie in Weiss Lake, as in many other lakes. Black Crappie come in quicker and will visit shallow water sooner than white crappie. Habitat is constantly changing and this fact forces the crappie to move. If you have a few good brushpiles and/ or stake beds in the right locations, you will still catch limits of crappie. Weiss is still a great lake, but you have to hunt the fish; find them and you can catch them. I am aware of several guides and locals that did very well in December, and have really killed them in January 2012. The cold front coming in this weekend will give the fish a rest. With lows in the 20's few anglers will be on the lake.

Habitat has really changed, new electronics are a big help, faster boats allow us to cover more water, and new baits and tackle are helping too; and don't forget the cell phones. Weiss lake is still full of shad bait fish, and Weiss Lake is very fertile - a great crappie hatchery even today. I personally think the increase in cranes and other protected birds are really taking a toll on crappie numbers; as well as loss of habitat and fishing pressure. We might need to whittle us a flip and buy a bag of marbles, and do a little target practice on some of those feathered friends; when the crappie bite is slow ?

i personally think its still a beautiful place to fish

I have fish Weiss since 1991 and I done very well until the last 5 years. Reason: who knows for sure. Old Bob from riverside Camp said to me. Bad spawn, people double dipping on limits, taking short fish, ski dos stirring up beds and the STRIPPERS. I only go once a year so there economy is losing my money. 90's in nov. Bay Springs would be pack, not any more.

If any of you guys from E TN need or want another guy to go, let me know. Got everything but the locations and a place to stay. Have heard of Weiss for years, always wanted to try it. willing to pay my way, not a freeloader.

Terry,
Sorry I have been out of touch with you. Been way to busy flying around the world. Plan to come over and fish with you in April. Maybe we will hook another 3 pounder.
Got it mounted and it is hanging in Brians bedroom

I got a couple boys that would take care of the bird problem!Lol. Terry and Pop are correct! There are good numbers of crappie in Weiss but its not wide spread as it use to be. Right now there are only a couple spots that are producing big numbers of crappie but at the same time there are some bringing everything they catch home regardless of size. That after catching over a 100 crappie a day and then turning others on to the same place will wipe out those sanctuaries. We have got to do like terry was saying and toss the undersize back for the future of Weiss lake. Weiss is fed with three fertile rivers and has as good a habitat for crappie that there is but its going to take people like us practicing good management to keep Weiss a top crappie lake!