Thread: first trip of the new year

I got to the ramp a little bit earlier this time. It was not as bad as it was last year. I launched and set out to the lake.

It was a beautiful morning! Almost no wind , the lake was like glass. I shut down the motor and watched the sun come up.



I moved over to where I wanted to start my run this morning and had the spot almost to my self. I set out the rods with the floats, started the trolling motor and got me my cup of coffee.



It was a slow morning on the bite. I bent the rods a few times but they went back to grow up some more. I had a nice hit on one of my side rods and was working it in when one of the back rods go off. I bring a nice size crappie to the side of the boat, but instead of grabbing the net, I tried to lift the fish into the boat. Wrong move ! He shook his head and was gone. I put that rod down and grab the second rod and bring him in. This time I used the net. He was returned to grow some more.

I talked with some of the other boaters and it was the same story. Not much happening. By this time I had gone through Paula's muffins and my coffee so I headed in.



I did manage to boat a couple of keepers. They will make a nice dinner tonight.

So until next time:
tight lines and full nets

see you on the water

Jim

Originally Posted by yobuck

It’s 8.20 am as i type this while drinking my first cup of coffee.
I will be leaving by 10 for the ride out to the lake, and should be fishing by about 11.15.
I will quit fishing between 4 and 4.30 in order to get the boat on the trailer and everything secured for the trip back home.
Everything takes me a bit longer due to my advanced age and condition.
My first trip of this new year was on the 2nd, and i put 56 crappies of all different sizes in the boat.
Wed. the 4th was my second trip this new year and it netted 46 of all sizes in the boat.
If they take my jig and i get them into the boat i count them, regardless of size, and they all get released immediatly.
The ones that fall off before getting into the boat dont get counted.
After the spawn i will start keeping some for my freezer.
Ive had to change my tactics recently due to them spraying the grass heavily about a month ago. Prior to that i was single poling along the weed edges with a second rod in a holder on the opposite side.
So now i fish an 8’ rod on each side straight down, and a 6’ rod on each rear corner with a float about 20 to 25’ back.
I also hold a 10’ in my hand straight down on the left side, so im using 5 rods.
Water depth varies between 4’ and 10’ with an average of 5 or 6’.
Jig size is 1/16 and 1/24 with a split shot above.
Plastic is pretty much Bobby Garland baby shad or similar on the close rods and curly tails on the longer ones.
Favorite color varies, but a few are always pretty good, monkey milk for example.
If you dont have monkey milk curly tails, get some.
Key is the bait and fish activity, favorite spots are pretty much meaningless if theres no bait.
When you find bait and fish activity, stay in the area.
Dont drive away from fish in order to find other fish.
I have a Helix 5 unit on my 14’ jon boat, i only pay attention to the depth, and speed and nothing else other than watching for bait.
Lots of times they are busting on bait back under the over hanging brush along the shoreline, so you need to be looking for that and get as close as you can.
My first trip this fall was on Oct. 22, and ive had 22 trips total since then averaging 4 1/2 to 5 hours each and netting a total to date of 457 crappies, all released.

Nice details, thanks for sharing.