Crappie report. 3/28/06 Chickamauga lower end

[drumking]

I managed to get out today around 8:00 and fished until 4:00 pm. I caught 28 keepers, 1 drum, 1 huge bluegill, 3 bass, and a few throwback crappies. I found the Crappie on a spawning bank and the males have already turned black. The females were hanging out just a little deeper, but nearby as expected. The new moon is tomorrow and although the water temp was around 60 at 4:00 pm, the fish act like they want to spawn. With the warmer weather coming this week, the fish will go nuts by the weekend probably.

I used tubes under a floater some, but most of the fish I caught tight lining a grub and they hit nearly every color that I tried. Going again in the morning with the lady of the house and fish until noon.

 

[fisherpal2k]

Great report drumking! Sounds like a good day to me. Just wish I could go. The way the weather is looking and the temps in the 70's it should be about right by friday or Sat. Be sure and make sure "the lady of the house" catchs the most fish. emoLaugh Hope you have a great day. Let us know how it goes.

 

[JSV]

drumking,
About how deep were these males / females. You really found the water Temp. @60deg.? I would of bet the temp. may be back up around 54-55deg but never would I of thought it would be back to 60!!! Wish you and the LADY LUCK tomorrow. THANKS FOR THE REPORT!!

 

[drumking]

The water temp was 54-55 this morning at 8:00 am, but when I left at 4:00 it had warmed up to 60 degrees. Bright sun nearly all day, slightly stained water warms up pretty fast in shallow water.

I kept my boat in 8-9 feet and the fish were 3-6 feet deep mostly. Let you know how tomorrow goes.

 

[JerDog]

Where did you lauch from on the lower end of the Lake? Not many reports coming from there, where they right on the bank of the river, or were you back in a creek somewhere? Thanks for the report..look forward to see how you do again tomorrow.

 

[drumking]

I launched at Tyner Lane and fished in the bay. Tried docks at first, then moved to the shallows. I didn't see many fishermen in the morning, but there were several in the afternoon and I saw them catching fish as well. Wind was rough at times, but I kept looking for sheltered places and found a few places that held fish. Got to run and color up a few more grubs. Good luck to all.emoAngel

 

[Fishheadspin]

I think you need to calibrate your temp guage. it was 51- 53 about everywhere i went and 54 in harrison bay marina. HB is the warmest place on the lake this time of year.

 

[rsimms]

Fishheadspin - 3/29/2006 6:03 AM

I think you need to calibrate your temp guage. it was 51- 53 about everywhere i went and 54 in harrison bay marina. HB is the warmest place on the lake this time of year.

How do you do that (calibrate)? I have two depth finders with temp gauges, and they vary by 2 to 3 degrees (with transducers sitting inches apart). I want to know which one is accurate, if either? Please don't tell me I have to go buy something else to calibrate with. emoBang

 

[Fishheadspin]

what kind do you have? some newer models have a calibration menu. i have garmins, one has it the other does not. Mine both read the same so they are either both really wrong or both right. I have a built in flasher that reads 1 degree off.

 

[rsimms]

One Garmin, one Humminbird ... no temp calibration on menus. Guess I'll just have to find me a GOOD thermometer to cross check with.

 

[drumking]

I have two depth finders and they both read the same. I had the new Hummingbird calibrated with a hand held digital thermometer when it was first installed. This morning, the water had cooled down overnight to 53 and when I quit at 11:30 this morning, the surface had warmed up to 56 degrees. By 4:00 it should be nearing 60 again, although the wind today is from the opposite direction and felt cooler than yesterday. Yesterday morning at 7:30 the temp was 52-53 degrees like you are telling me. I can't help it if I found some warm water.

 

[flip1up]

I have no problem with that being accurate. 54 early in the morning and 60 at 4 after a nice warm day, sounds about right tro me.

 

[Fishheadspin]

may have been right. i found some 63 today. on all 3 graphs. Going looking friday for bedding bass.

 

[flip1up]

You recon some may be going on already? I guess the water temp. is about right.

 

[drumking]

flip1up - 3/29/2006 8:12 PM

You recon some may be going on already? I guess the water temp. is about right.

I think that it will be a few more days before they go on beds. They are just getting in the mood. Males that I have been catching have turned black, but the female eggs, although full, aren't quite ready yet. It won't be long. The next few days of 70 degree weather will speed things up I think. I think that the water temp is still just a little bit low. Certainly is in the mornings, but it warms up on the surface pretty quickly in the afternoons.

 

[Fishheadspin]

i think this weekend we will see a few on the beds. at least fanning. how many tournamenmts are on chickamauga this weekend? anyone know?