Question for veteran anglers

[Eager Beaver]

Congrads New2Crappie on your first fish with a lure. I think the guys missed the part where you were in a row boat and your boyfriend was rowing you across the lake. It would be hard to find the trees in 25ft of water without electronics, and probably don't know what the thermocline even is. The suggestion about reading crappie articles is a good one tho. A bobber and minnow is hard to beat until you get some experience with catching fish. A lot of time on the water is the best experience for being consistent at catching fish. A bamboo pole is hard to beat for a beginner.

[New2crappie]

Thanks for all the help and encouragement!

Eager Beaver: We were actually fishing for bluegil, so I just had a plain old bee moth and bobber in the water, and just letting it trail behind the boat for giggles. When I went to pull the line in to me, it suddlenly didn't come back so easy. Imagine my surprise when I figured out I had a fish on the line! He'll say "put the line back in the water and do what you just did again.", but I don't have a clue what it is that I'm doin! Just dumb luck!

[New2crappie]

We have been fishing at the Scott County Conservation Club in Scottsburg, Indiana, but we actually live in Charlestown, IN. In the two years we have been fishing there, the lake has never been crowded, usually, we are the only ones on the water. Nice and quiet, and nobody there to hear Tom fuss when I get my line snagged on a tree limb!

[VietVet68]

We have been fishing at the Scott County Conservation Club in Scottsburg, Indiana, but we actually live in Charlestown, IN. In the two years we have been fishing there, the lake has never been crowded, usually, we are the only ones on the water. Nice and quiet, and nobody there to hear Tom fuss when I get my line snagged on a tree limb!

Hey! I've fished that lake!!!!!
Years ago when we were trying to build the Marble Hill nuke, I lived in Deputy Indiana, just a hop,skip, and a jump from Scottsburg. I fished Hardy mostly, but every now and then I'd get my little one man boat out and fish at Scottsburg. I could always catch a ton of dink Crappies but nothing over shirt pocket size. The one thing I do remember catching there was what the locals called "Grass Pike". Supposingly they do not get larger than 6-7". They look just like a minature Northern Pike. Fun to catch, a 4" long Grass Pike would take on a 6" Rapala in a New York second. It's strange that Scottsburg is the only place I ever found them.

Best of luck in out fishing your boy friend........best way is don't share your bait!

[CrappieLips]

Welcome New2crappie;; I guess these guys have just about got it covered to get you started so I'll just wave a big hello to ya. these guy's & Gals on here know there fishing.

[GABoy]

I think the guys missed the part where you were in a row boat and your boyfriend was rowing you across the lake. It would be hard to find the trees in 25ft of water without electronics,

Ooooppss.....well everything still applies....

[VietVet68]

Hey New2, I just had another thought.....

That place is/was loaded with small Crappie,Bass, and Bluegill and if you just want the fun of almost constant catching, get you a couple of 1/8 oz. white Beetle Spins. You can throw them almost any direction, let them sink for about three seconds (lake is not big or deep, has lots of grass) and then do a slow retrieve. I can almost guarantee plenty of action.

Somewhere around your 50th fish, make your boyfriend propose if he wants the second Beetle Spin!

[New2crappie]

I have gotten so much great and friendly advice here! I should have expected that though, fishin' folks are friendly folks! Tom doesn't know I registered here, so it will be nice to be able to at least act like I know what I'm doing next time we are out. He's gonna flip his lid when I ask to pick up minnows.

Moose1AM: I got him a lifetime fishing license for Christmas last year, as far a large purchase, that will have to do him for a while. He was, of course, thrilled! At his age, it's like getting to fish for free for 30 years.

[GABoy]

Another good gift for you or your boyfriend is a copy of the book "Crappie Wisdom" By the In-Fishermen Guys. This is an excellent book for any fishermen. It covers almost everthing there is to know about crappie fishing in any lake in the USA and at any time of the year.

I will second that....fantastic book!

[VietVet68]

Heya Moose, how about giving the little lady an essay in 10,000 words or less on how the "count-down" method works?