Bay Springs Info needed

[CrappieAddict]

Hello, I'm new to the board and would like some information on the McDougal Branch area of Bay Springs Lake on the Tombigbee Waterway. I have a lake map and can see standing timber on it.Is this the best place to fish for Crappie on the lake? If it is what bait is best? Are the fish hitting at this time of the year?,Is vertical presentation best because of the timber? Or is it possible to troll in some areas? Like i said i am a new member but, i've been looking in for quite awhile and enjoy the site very much.Thank you.

[Papermouth62]

Hey Crappieaddict,
Welcome to the board, I fish Bay springs Alot but I haven't been down there lately. The McDougal branch arm is a verry good choice to fish this time of year
but be careful when running into the mouth of the hollow there is a hump there that is almost sticking out fo the water this time of year. There is plenty of room for trolling tn the area and that is the way I would suggest trying to catch fish right now. 1/8 to 1/4 oz. hair jigs is the best choice for bait.
Luck to ya, Papermouth62:D

[CrappieAddict]

Is this the submerged earthen dam that is shown on the lake map?

[Papermouth62]

Is this the submerged earthen dam that is shown on the lake map?

It is the end of the dam, but it makes a turn back toward the south just outside the hollow . I ran a flatbottom boat aground on it a few years ago.

[CrappieAddict]

Thanks,I fished the hollow a couple of times about 10 years ago. The water was at full pool however.I have a bass boat and i sure don't need to run it over anything that will cause damage.Guess i'll wait on deeper water.

[J White]

CrappieAddict - just don't try to cut between the buoys and the point -
stay South of them, way South, a couple hundred feet, and you'll be
fine. There are a couple of more spots in Riddle Creek, and only one of
them is marked... But all in all, a safe lake even at winter pool. Watch
out for loose floating logs, esp. after a storm, but that applies about
anywhere, right?

[CrappieAddict]

Thanks J.White,How about your take on the crappie at the lake.Any tips on spring fishing there? Thanks again.

[J White]

Well, it's the closest big water to me, so I fish it a good bit. My home lake.
I like it a lot. About McDougall, there is some real thick brush in the main
(right) fork, in 15-20' of water, about half-way up, out in the middle.
So thick I can't troll in it. It gets a lot of pressure, so I don't fish it much
anymore. Same for the deep brush off the end of point out from Ashcraft
hollow. Always several boats on it if anybody's fishing at all. I used to
catch a lot in the spring casting a 3" curly tail, but last few years, all I do
is crankbait trolling. Like 300 Bandits in the Spring (and Fall), in 10-15' of
water. I don't fish any shallower. Most of the time, you can see bottom in
5' of water or deeper, so I consider it too shallow and clear. Early in the
year, pre-spawn, look for the fish to still be following the shad in deep water-
at the peak of spawn, I'll be up in back of big coves in the 10-15' range.
Never done any good to speak of on standing timber there, though some
folks do. But there are brushpiles everywhere, lots of folks put 'em out.
Hope I was of some help! Jeff