ChooChooSnakeMan, Nickajack, Crackers & Gills, 5/11/2011, Dad

[ChooChooSnakeMan]

I've somehow missed the shellcracker / bluegill bite on the Nick the last several years. When I was growing up it was a yearly spring ritual to make it down to Browns Lake and Mullins Cove to wear out the crackers and gills with crickets. My Dad loves that kind of fishing second only to catching big crappie. I've been watching the reports for signs that the bluegill were moving up and started to see some mention lately. With the storms and cooler weather predicted for this weekend I thought today may be my best chance to get Dad on some fish. We launced from Sullivans around 7:00 in the thick fog. We couldn't go far but with the help of the GPS we finally got to where we wanted to be in Browns Lake. Using crickets and P.A. on 1/32 jigs we caught a few but were really disappointed. The conditions were perfect the water was slick, no wind, water temp 71 but no big fish and especially no females stuffed with eggs. When the fog lifted we ran a ways down river and things picked up a lot. We started fishing around brush and trees in very shallow water and started picking up some decent size shellcrackers and bluegill. My Dad was wearing them out with crickets and I was catching them on P.A. We had a lot of fun. It made me feel especially good to hear my Dad say more than once, "Now this is more like it - this is like the old days!" He had the best time and that made my day. I don't know how many fish we caught, at least 70 or 80 and we stopped at 12:30. I kept 21 for the fillet knife and I've attached a picture of my Dad with two of the crackers. Most of what we caught were shellcrackers. One thing that I'd like opinions on is, Not one of the fish I filleted out of 21 had eggs. We could see the saucer shaped nests in one bed in particular and most of the fish were caught in 2' or shallower so they are spawning fish. Could it be that the spawn is just starting for crackers and gills and the fish we caught were some males that were fanning out the nests or do you think the females have already spawned and are gone? I feel so very lucky that my Dad at 77 years old still is in pretty good health and I am blessed to be able to spend time on the water with him. Today was a very good day!

 

[tnhooker]

I believe that the males are really coming in to do the bed prep. The big females will soon be up the closer we get to the full moon. I believe that is the 17 th. I don't keep any of the large females for obvious reasons. It's just my style. Big Bluegills will be up in numbers very soon. There is cooler weather on the way but I don't believe it will have a significant affect on the fish. It will have a significant affect on me. I will like it.

 

[the Wolftever Kid]

I haven't been down there in several years. Those mean shells are a blast to catch!
Glad to see your dad getting in on the action.

 

[cuonthelake]

This is an awesome report and story. My dad too, taught me to love fishing, use to take me all the time when I was a kid. I miss him dearly, and everytime I catch them I know he is smilin down on me! emoBigsmile

 

[MrWiskers]

Nice.

 

[Nauticman]

Nice informative report and I also like the father/son theme.

 

[SpurHunter]

Great job! There is little in fishing that is as fun as family fishing for bream when they are biting!

 

[drumking]

Great job, CCSM. emoThumbsup emoToast emoGeezer

 

[Muskrat]

emoThumbsup

 

[Labman]

Great report CCSM. Always nice to get a family member back out on the water and into some fish. Cherish the time together, it passes way too fast. Thanks for the report.

Regards, Labman

 

[polo-dog]

Fantastic job James. I'm glad that you gave your dad a great day.