Crappie.com - Went looking for bluegill

But they weren’t to be found like I thought they would be. Nothing but 2lb today and mostly a 1/64 hand tie jig. My first spot usually gives up a good bull Gill or two at least. I had one medium sized Gill on til he turned near the boat and said goodbye. Then I cast in closer to the bank and an instant hit, followed by a good fight and the first fish of the day.

He was nice and chunky and fought good, but that was all that spot would give. A couple of hits as I moved off but no solid takes. Cool at 62* when I left had me put a vest over a long sleeve Henley so I figured that the shade might be cooler water. I hit an area that I usually don’t get anything from along the way to spot two. A soft take had me lift the tip and game on, rod double up pretty good and drag slipping a bit. What a set of shoulders broke the surface, they surprised me and I thought it was another bass. Turned out to be the first Crappie of the day, and a nice one at that.

A little ways down the shore I connected again but not near the same size. My little jigs were doing well. I commented to myself that it hasn’t been this good for a while now. Small fish bumped and ran but didn’t get connected. I also lost a couple of good fish, easy keeper size, just cuz I’m rusty and tried to muscle em harder than I normally do. Kinda normal when you use a tiny 1/64 and a #8 hook. Made another move, the sun now up and the vest came off. Hadn’t cast much, cut loose a couple of 10’ crappie and finally a Gill or two, then another soft take and another fish that was hard to move. I backed off a couple of clicks on the drag and let him run, following him around. More big shoulders, bigger than the first good one, and I started digging for the net. This fish was thick and surely would have pulled free had I tried to boat lift it. I admired it a little bit, took the pic below and back in the pool he went. Probably my best crappie so far this year. And he wanted that little jig real bad!

Bumped a couple more and lost another good fish at boatside and by now the wind was up and the bite had slowed. It was just 10:00. Not a bad three hours. 62* when I left the truck and 75* when I got back to it. I know that’s heavenly temps for some of y’all but I was ready for some shorts and a T shirt. Having been a CPR day I just had to put up the rods and tackle box and plug in the charger to be done. I know I was sporting a smile and a spring in my step when I got to the ramp. This was the best day doing what I love and using my favorite tackle. When I got home I had to celebrate a little with some venison sausage with cheese, walnuts and cranberries and some Vermont sharp cheddar cheese. Extra Yummy!!