Crappie Full Of Eggs Now?

[skiptomylu]

Talked to a friend in South Louisiana this afternoon and he caught some crappie a few days ago around a rig type structure in 7' of water and said they were full of eggs. Not just a little bit, but full and looked ready to lay them.

So anyone else catching any with eggs? He said bulging with eggs and wouldn't have kept them if he had know it was eggs and not just stuffed full from gorging!

Also talked to another guy Friday and Saturday several times and during one of our talks he said...would you believe I am catching crappie in 2 foot of water right now?

Skip

[Tracker123]

Are they starting to move shallow at Toledo Bend?

[Kman]

crappie in south lousiana start spawning (depending on temps) mid January to late january, february being best for bigguns, then another spawn in march, and final few in April. Certainly are NOT doing it NOW! They start buidling up with egg sacks in the fall but wont be ready to lay for months.

2fow is relative...to whatever else is around him and the overall depth of the body of water. They aint spawnin, i can tell you that.

[Blackhawk19]

I know sometimes they spawn twice a year but they only have small egg sacks here that will fill up for spring.

[skiptomylu]

Are they starting to move shallow at Toledo Bend?

Well I was hoping to find out today, but have been waiting of Directv guys that are finally here now. So maybe tomorrow morning I will find out. If they are I will tell all tomorrow.

Also need to call one of my customers here today as he haas some jigs ready so maybe he can add some info for me to share. Will see!

Skip

[NIMROD]

I've heard tales of more than one spawn a year but here it's only in spring. They maybe spread out some years in unstable weather and water levels over several weeks.

[STUMP HUNTER]

Skip, been catching crappie all summer in 6' or less. Been an odd year for crappie being shallow around here.

[crappielimits]

crappie in south lousiana start spawning (depending on temps) mid January to late january, february being best for bigguns, then another spawn in march, and final few in April. Certainly are NOT doing it NOW! They start buidling up with egg sacks in the fall but wont be ready to lay for months.

2fow is relative...to whatever else is around him and the overall depth of the body of water. They aint spawnin, i can tell you that.

I totally agree! The fish go shallow in summer and fall chasing shad. They will gorge on dying shad when the first front hits and then progressively move deeper as the thermocline drops. Eggs begin to form in the Fall and are not ready to be laid until they have red veins in surrounding them.

[6poundtest]

Skip, I was just reading about the twice a year spawn in some southern lakes at "In Fisherman" in an article titled "Crappie Science". Below is a cut and paste of a key paragraph:

"The 2- and 3-inch crappies they collected in December had hatched between the first and fourth week of October. No good explanation of this phenomenon has been forthcoming, though rising water levels in fall were considered a possible trigger."

As a beginner, I have no view or experience to offer.

[Locator79]

Its very common to catch fish full of eggs this time of year all the way to spring.