Barn Dog and Radio on the Rock

[Radioactive]

Went trolling with Barn Dog this morning near Cape Fair and we managed to put a few in the boat. I think the total was 4 keeper crappie, 4 Catfish, 2 White Bass and 5 or 6 Green Carp which we promptly and unceremoniously slipped back in the water hoping no one had spotted us :D

I had never trolled for Crappie before, especially with planer boards and clip weights, so thanks to Rick I picked up some valuable experience for future reference.

Odd thing was that when I cleaned the Crappie, none of them had any thing at all in their stomachs! We saw tons of baitfish balls on the locator, so can't figure out why they were empty. 2 of the cats also still had eggs, so guess the spawn isn't completely over for them

We had long stretches with no hits and it got HOT, but we had fun and got some fish slime in the boat:D

[Jigging15]

Congrats. Barndog can put them in the boat anywhere he go's. He also is not scared of catching multiple species. Hince the large "fish them all" down the side of the boat. Glad you got out and learned a new technique.

[pvchief1]

Did you guys catch very many shorts to go along with the 4 keepers? Or was the 4 all you caught crappie wise?

[Radioactive]

Only had a couple shorts, but the 4 were 11 to 13 inches. it's just really puzzling why their stomachs were empty. Most were in 20 to 30 fow and the crank baits were running at roughly 12 to 15. sure were a lot of Spoonbill jumping!

Did you guys catch very many shorts to go along with the 4 keepers? Or was the 4 all you caught crappie wise?

[pvchief1]

Yeah I just don't understand that whole situation. Were they skinny fish I assume?

[Radioactive]

Were they skinny fish I assume?

Not terribly skinny, just kind of thin. I haven't caught any so far on the Rock that were what you would call fat. Certainly not nearly as fat as the ones I've seen from Stockton! There are shad of all sizes in large numbers all over the James River arm, so it isn't a lack of food. Guess all of them are females and have joined Jenny Craig:D:D

[bugman]

Same things goin on where i'm fishin (loz) shad of all sizes everywhere but the fish are empty,like you said the fish aren't very skinny so that leads me to guess that their metabolism is so high in the hot water that they are digested in short order,hopefully our biologist will respond so we know for sure.

[Pole Bender]

Glad you guys got out and caught a few. Trolling is fun for a change in fishing methods.

[FROSTY]

Good job Guy's. Glad you found a few. That's what's fun about trolling....Never know what;s on the other end.

[Kit Papermouth]

Same things goin on where i'm fishin (loz) shad of all sizes everywhere but the fish are empty,like you said the fish aren't very skinny so that leads me to guess that their metabolism is so high in the hot water that they are digested in short order,hopefully our biologist will respond so we know for sure.

That's my theory too. Warm means the fish break down quickly.

G.