Need some advice

[onero22]

I am making my first trip to paint creek this saturday, and could use some advice on the best way to fish that lake. Thanks!!!!

[INTIMIDATOR]

Sorry, I haven't been there in many years...CJ is only 10 minutes from my house, so I haven't been going anywhere else....hopefully someone can help you out!

[jeepguyjames]

Have always done well long lining jigs or vert trolling minnows rigs when the waters warmer....... targeting suspended fish or off shore structure

[onero22]

Thank you for your time

[Nightprowler]

I'd be interested in how you did. Size and Quantity. We have our first ever trip planned for next weekend.
At CC the numbers are off the chart but the size are like a cookie cutter at 8-7/8. Anywhere from 6-14 feet works.
Herb

[onero22]

I am sorry to report I caught a total of 4 small crappie. I am quite the novice at crappie fishing and my knowledge on how to find them is limited at best.

[Tom 513]

1st off welcome to CDC. I'm curious to how you fished? give everyone more details and chance are You will get some help, Summer Crappie are a different animal then Spring spawners.

[onero22]

Thanks for the welcome. Yeah summer time is killing me for sure, I had a terrible time finding them at all. I would find small pockets in about 20' of water and I was vertical jiggy. Not sure if it was a bad day or I wasn't holding my mouth right. Like I said summer fishing is killing me

[Tom 513]

Thanks for the welcome. Yeah summer time is killing me for sure, I had a terrible time finding them at all. I would find small pockets in about 20' of water and I was vertical jiggy. Not sure if it was a bad day or I wasn't holding my mouth right. Like I said summer fishing is killing me

Try slow trolling, like .5-.8mph minnows with a 1 oz egg weight and watch for the tick, crappie arnt gonna slam your pole. Last 3 weeks Ive been finding them in 12ft+ of water and anywhere from 8 to 14ft down.

Nightprower just gave me a idea, I think there should be a Crappie tournment to see who can catch the most 8 3/4" fish, that way I may have a chance, maybe penalties for 9"+ fish too

[crappiemax]

Like Tom said "welcome to the site"
James, Tom & Herb are giving you excellent advice.
I mostly like to fish jigs but the last few times out minnows have been definitely providing most of the action but don't get set on fishing just one technique.
Last Wednesday I fished with a friend and when we started out we were killing them on double minnow rigs (like Tom told you). 2 hours later the bite died. I could still see the fish on my electronics so I switched to jigs. I was getting hits but not many hooks ups so I tipped the jig with a minnow. Bam...it was game on again for the next 4 hours when we gave up cause of the heat.
I fished Saturday morning for 4 or 5 hours and my best presentation was a plain 3/32 oz head tipped with a minnow (no jig body). Both days the fish were 10'-12' deep in 12-15 fow.
Whatever you do, don't give up on summer fish. Once you find a few spots and learn a few techniques you can really put them in the boat.

Tom, now that's a tourney I have a chance at.