Thread: Cold day on the water but I got a 14"er.

I've got a company Christmas party tomorrow night in Natural Bridge so I fished today. Hit my normal honey hole. Russell (UNDERTHERADAR) met me there around 9:00. We've had decent luck teaming up together at Western Branch so we were hoping for a good day. Unfortunately, once Russell showed up the bite was over for me. I had caught 5, of which 3 were caught on sliding bobbers with minnows 10'-12' deep, one was caught casting, and my 14"er was caught vertical jigging a black/pink wasshoppah 5' off the bottom in around 26' of water. It weighed in at 1lb 7.75oz. Geez, that's the second time I've been a quarter of an ounce shy of 1.5lbs.



I had to get going since it's my youngest daughters 18th birthday today so I left the honey hole to Russell. He called me up and said that he had caught 7 but his last one was 14.5"-14.75" and fat. He thought it was 2lbs but did not have a scale. He said he took some pics so hopefully he'll post them.

My 14"er was a female and her stomach was huuuuge. Inside it were 4 minnows. I had never seen a crappie's stomach so full before.

Water temp was 51 and the air temp was cold! Dang wind was a real pain, wouldn't let me fish certain areas without getting frost bite.

Originally Posted by TapOut64

frost bite

Very nice fish! I know exactly what you were fighting today.

Man it was cold out there today. I fished from 0900 to 1300 and said the heck with this. Everything was caught on a BG baby shad. I caught 6 in the first hour and a half. Tap left and it took another hour and a half to catch the 7th. The last fish was the biggest speckle I have ever landed. It went 14.5" - 14.75" depending on how I moved its mouth. Regardless I couldnt strech him into what would've been my first citation. I have caught several 14"+ speckles in my life, but this one was heavy. I'd a bet money it went 2lbs or darn close but I dont have a scale. I'm not big on taking pictures on the water but he deserved one and the pics do NOT do it justice. Against my growling stomach I turned him loose. Oh well, I didnt start killing big bucks until I started letting the decent ones walk. Maybe my time is coming soon.

For the skeptics out there the "0" line is not at the edge of my ruler, its right on the fishes tail.

nice fish, but to cold and windy for me.

belly full >>>>> winter feeding pattern ....get in there it's on!!!! I have noticed with the river fish they are moving and feeding just off the bottom on shelfs just outside of structure where bait will take shelter !!!!

Good input guys .....I dont know bout the gloves though!!!

Originally Posted by slabenomics

I dont know bout the gloves though!!!

As cold as my hands were today, I'da worn pink ones with lace if that's all I could find!

very nice

Nice fish Tap looks like you had a good day!!! Congrats!
Blake

Congrats on your biggest crappie undertheradar!!! you should have taken her to be weighed you never know... she may have been your first citation!!!
Blake

Very nice fish indeed for both of ya. Amazes me Tapp that you can find big crappie all year round. Nice report