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Thread: Going shallow for master angler crappie

  1. #1
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    Default Going shallow for master angler crappie


    Jeff and I took a trip down to Delton today to fish Crooked Lake. We both had to work in the morning so we didn't get there until close to 11:00. We were the only trailer in the lot.

    Our first stop was a small cut that had flooded brush along one side. We worked the brush with Bobby Garland Baby Shad on 1/16 oz jigs set 12"-18" under a bobber. We saw a few and had a couple of hits but the wind made it difficult to stay out of the brush. We managed to land a few by easing through the brush and dipping jigs around cover using a 12' Bn'M BGJP.

    Next we tried around flooded docks in the same area we got them last year. We got a couple but the water was full of nasty, snotty algae and it made it almost impossible to fish.

    Next up was a small bay that had flooded trees along one side, trees that lined the cottages driveway, which is now flooded. I had switched to red worms and was getting a few sunfish. Jeff stuck with plastics and within minutes he had a hit that had crappie written all over it. First words out of his mouth were "big fish, get the net". I hot dogged it a little, talking trash and taking my time to get the net for what I figured would be a maybe 12" crappie. Man was I wrong. This big girl measured out at 15 3/4". MASTER ANGLER! We sat on that spot for an hour or so and put about a dozen crappie in the box including another master angler qualifying 15 1/2" monster for Jeff and some in the 12"-13" range. We were also catching big sunfish on the plastics. Many had the jig down their throats. Bluegrass and Monkey Milk were the hot colors.

    A couple more stops produced more of the same, nice crappie holding tight to the brush in a couple feet of water and big sunfish out from the brush. We ended up keeping 28 fish total which will be cleaned and frozen for spring camp. Water temp was 60 degrees and the crappie were mostly spawned out. The male sunfish were squirting so it won't be long for them to start bedding. Here's a few pictures, enjoy.Name:  IMG_20190515_141748642.jpg
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    The older I get the more I realize the therapeutic benefits of fishing
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    Thanks crp4570, Slab thanked you for this post

  2. #2
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    Wow, nice fish. I suspected that with sll the rain and high water, the temp warmed up quick and the fish did their business while we couldn't get on the water.
    Likes hdhntr LIKED above post

  3. #3
    Slabprowler is offline Crappie.com Legend * Crappie.com Supporter
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    Nice mixed bag! Congrats on a good day !

  4. #4
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    As Jeff would say

    WOW!


    Good job on the MA crappie Jeff as well as a tip of the hat on a fine net job Jerry.....be on the lookout for a letter from the DNR announcing your MANMA (Master Angler Net Man Award)


    Sent from my iPhone using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app
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    Likes hdhntr, OneidaEagle LIKED above post

  5. #5
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    Very nice and congrats!

  6. #6
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    I was there for a couple of hours, mostly just trying new spots, the wind made it difficult . I only ended up with a half dozen crappie , let them go for another day. main lake water temp was only 56 where I caught them last year, I think most have not spawned yet....but I could be wrong
    was wrong twice before
    fillet em n fry em
    john

  7. #7
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    good job finding those big ones!!!!!!
    I should add that a couple of the shallower bays I checked that the water temp hit 62
    I like crooked but have a LOT to learn about it
    although I HATE that boat launch!!!!!
    fillet em n fry em
    john

  8. #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by steelguy View Post

    I HATE that boat launch!!!!!
    That makes 2 of us.....just not a lot of room both for launching and parking.


    Sent from my iPhone using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app
    2017 MiCDC fall crappie guide of the year (FCGOTY)
    Member: “Michigan chapter of Team Overalls
    Haulin Ash Fishing Rocks-"D"
    Caution: If we fish together, you may be on YouTube

  9. #9
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    Congrats. Enjoyed the post and pics

  10. #10
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    those are some pigs. WTG in searching and changing methods till you found them.

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