HaHa: 
Reply With QuoteSorry to hear the motor wasn’t cooperating, but it sounds like it was a good trip.
Bob
Crappie.com 2K Star General
Good day in 48 degree water
Thank God fish are cold blooded! Normally I post some examples of my catches with lures used. But today was mostly one of discovery. I'm relearning a lake I've fished for over 25 years and thought I knew like the back of my foot. Sonar provided answers such as the depth fish were caught and structure in the middle of the lake I never knew existed until today.
I found a few patterns: one where you pitch a jig & plastic into pad pockets in shallow water less than 5' deep. Too much trouble so I went to plan B: fish channels between pad groups in deeper water - in this case 6.5'. Crappie were very aggressive slamming a range of soft plastic designs rigged on 1/24 oz jigs. They ranged in size from 9-11" and most were 10". Y. perch as usual were small except one the measured 10" and a few bass. 40 fish in 48 degree water. Brrrrr!
I also wanted to see if fluorocarbon would do as well as braid for pitching and short casting very light lures. It did great.
As I was motoring back toward the launch over 1 mile away, I came upon three humps in the middle of nowhere. I put buoy markers on all three and will fish them tomorrow seeing as how nice the weather will be. Hopefully my new 2.5 hp 4-stroke motor will do as well as today. It stalled 70 yds from the launch and I had to row back after trying to restart 5x. (Didn't take the trolling motor seeing as how I would be fishing mostly in the weeds.)
After 4 days of bitter cold nights (mid 20's) and windy 48 degree days, today was pure pleasure. Calm and/or a light breeze and sunny made rowing much easier.
Crappie.com Legend
Sorry to hear the motor wasn’t cooperating, but it sounds like it was a good trip.
Bob
Crappie.com 2K Star General
Hey, at least it took me to the other end of the lake (1.5 mi.) and back 1.25 (mi.). Of course a LOT of rowing was needed in weedy areas where a t. motor would have done well. Now I have to figure what angle the motor should be to the transom and hopefully it will start and restart this am before going out again.
The day started out crap but turned into a winner. Guess every angler should keep in mind - you never know! - giving up is not an option.
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I do not enjoy motor problems. Glad you had a good day fishing
The love for fishing is one of the best gifts you can pass along
Crappie.com 2K Star General
Udate: today started out like crap and ended early. The only crazy thing that happened was this 3 lb + pickerel that snagged the outside of its lip with my lure:
Amazing it barely fit in my net and more amazing it didn't break my 8 # test fluorocarbon line the way it fought and the amount of time before I could even see what it was. BTW it was caught in 4'.
The day was nice - too nice - with zero clouds, a bright sun and breeze. At least the motor did fine.
Crappie.com Legend
I like that last part. Don’t give up!Originally Posted by Spoonminnow
Bob
PS Beautiful colors on that pickerel.
B
Spoonminnow thanked you for this post
Crappie.com 2K Star General
Probably the largest pick I ever caught! Good thing I always carry the jaw clamp so I can take pictures of toothy critters that do a number on thumbs.
Amazing that not one crappie was in the areas I caught them in yesterday evening in numbers.
Super Moderator
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That would have torn up a thumb for sure
The love for fishing is one of the best gifts you can pass along
Crappie.com Legend
Maybe when the crappies heard that guy was in the neighborhood they vamoosed.
Bob
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