drumking, chickamauga, crappie, 07/20/2017, Dr Phillip Gawthrop

[drumking]

Dr Phillip Gawthrop and I got out at daylight and fished until 8:50 in order to beat the heat. Fortunately for us the crappie were on at daybreak today as opposed to yesterday when they were a no-show. We caught a 15 fish limit with a couple of short fish, one largemouth bass (14") and 2 white bass.

The hot lures today were Bobby Garland Black Night Baby Shads and Minnow Mind'Rs in the Cicada and Glacier colors. Also caught one on a Blue Green 2" Baby Shad. Phil fished with 3/32 oz jigs and I fished with 1/16 oz jigs. TVA only running 6,000 CFS so I opted for a slower fall. It worked for me as I had some good keepers. Phil did really good too on his go to bait which is the Black Night at daybreak. Grin.

We fished main river off shore drop offs with stumps and one 18' deep flat near the main river channel where we caught 3 keepers. We did take a pulse on a nearby bluff and caught 3 keepers and one short on it. The fish were deep and the water temp this morning was 85.3 degrees, the only time that I looked. Home for a couple of honey do's before nap time. Grin.

I know that people wonder why I quit posting on CFF. It is because you have to downsize photos and I'm not going to do that. I post on crappie.com and Facebook and the CFF on FB. If you want to read my posts, then you can check out those web sites.

A friend sent me a post from this site that seemed to think that because I quit posting in here, then all the crappie guys quit posting on here. That isn't the case, in my opinion. Crappie guys used to post on here until the crappie club began having tournaments and then suddenly, everyone stopped posting. You can draw your own conclusions as to why they stopped posting, but it wasn't because Drumking quit posting.

I am including this last post on this site just to let you guys know that I haven't had any hard feelings with anyone. I encourage all to post their fishing reports. It is the life blood of a site like this. Crappie.com is a great website for crappie fishermen and it is a free site as well. I will continue to share info on CDC and FB as I know that this kind of info is appreciated by those who really want to learn what is going on with the crappie.

 

[SethColeman]

Im gonna respectfully disagree on your assessment of "crappie guys used to post on here until the crappie club began having tournaments and everyone suddenly stopped posting". This site is like a high school clique. Bass guys post on bass guys reports, crappie guys post on crappie reports, catfish guys post on catfish reports. It's been that way since I joined this site. The same people post reports because they want to or have time. I used to make reports with water temp, time of day, pictures of lures, exact locations, and the same people would comment or most went with a thumbs up or a generic thank you. It became a waist of my time to post reports, because no one cared. It's up to each individual
If they want to post a report or not. It's not a contest of who does it the most or how often. I rarely read reports, rarely post anything, because I personally don't have time. Most of the people in the crappie club have jobs and families. I don't even get to fish "the crappie club" tournaments hardly anymore. I didn't post reports before and I still don't. The Crappie Club absolutely has no affect on someone posting a report or not. Which Crappie Club members used to post all the time that don't post now? Or crappie guys? Just curious

 

[Rob Lee]

congrats on a good day and thanks for the info on the lures. I routinely read your posts on crappie.com and appreciate them also.

 

[BassERT]

"Thumbs up" means I read that and I acknowledge that you took the time to post, thank you emoThumbsup
I can understand what DK emoGeezer is saying
I used to post a lot but then I couldn't get to fish where my reports led others to fish.
I still teach the "system" to whoever wants to learn, but only on "community Holes"
emoThumbsup emoGeezer

emoCool

 

[Tenncrapie]

I'm not getting into a urinating contest but the Crappie posts
have really dropped off since DK stopped posting. Don't remember the names who used to post but there were several. Don't know the cause but I do know the traffic is way down. Glad DK has posted again and shared his knowledge and what is hot in regards to baits, Colors, water temps and such it is very helpful to those who work a 5 day a week job and don't have the time to prefish and hunt for whats biting. Hope more will post in the crappie community.

 

[rsimms]

Actually it is my impression that posts regarding ALL "off species" are way down. By "off species" I mean anything other than bass.

It doesn't surprise me and I don't fault anyone for it. We all know that bass is King, and with good reason. There is simply an overwhelming amount of participation and interest regarding bass fishing. It is simply sort of the natural evolution of many fishing forums I've seen. And in some respects I think maybe "off species" reports may not have dropped as much as we think. They just get overwhelmed by the large number of bass posts, and drop off the CFF radar more quickly.

That said, I am to blame for reduced posts regarding the off species, at least in part. Most know I'm a catfish guy (and guide). I crappie fish heavily Feb. thru early April, but after that I am catfish, catfish, catfish. My number of reports slowed dramatically when I started guiding full time. I'm on the water so much that reports were becoming overly frequent and HIGHLY redundant. I just "lost the fire" to share. I also agree with DK that it is aggravating being forced to downsize all photos to meet CFF parameters as well.

For me, Facebook is simply too easy and for my marketing purposes, reaches a FAR larger audience.

I will close with this observation.... when Jmax moves away, we will see a significant drop in bass posts as well. #justsayin' emoBigsmile

 

[Randall53]

It sounds like the site needs a crappie sub forum, or at least a "not trashy green fish" forum. (borrowing the term from Drumking emoGeezer emoThumbsup)

 

[porthos33]

<div> Hey, if anything I think I lit a fire to get a post out of Dickey on the forum! Haha j/k. I joined this site I think in 2012 and it literally taught me SOO much coming from a family that no one fished at all! Drumking, Jmax,Rsimms,Strato-G,Ty,Benhayes,Labman,Nauticman, and MANY others have really been a blessing in helping me understand a big body of water. Also the Hall of fame is amazing for learning too. I've probably learned more off the posts in the Hall of fame than anywhere. First time I ever took my boat out I remember being So overwhelmed with places to fish. All I wanted to do was catch the biggest bass, catfish, crappie, and anything else that swam and still do!</div><div></div><div> Dickey I totally agree with you about the picture downsizing! It is Such a pain in the rear to have to resize just to post a pic to go with the reports. I have never understood why it can't be easier to post a picture. I bet we would have a lot more reports if it was an easier process. I for one don't post much at all b/c I hate going through the whole ordeal to post a photo. And if I am going to post, I would definitely rather include photos in my reports.</div><div>
</div><div> At this point in my life I mainly chase Bass, but still many times a year I go after all the other species. One of the main reasons I like to understand the crappie, catfish, strippers, and other species is b/c bass can be really hard to catch sometimes and one of my favorite things about fishing is taking kids and others who have only thrown a bobber off the bank and never really caught anything but a few bluegill, and maybe a catfish with a nightcrawler. There is nothing in the world better than seeing someones face after they have hooked up on 6 lb test,to who knows what below the dam on a shiner while drag screams off the reel!</div><div>
</div><div> If anything has really dropped off over the years, it has been the cats. Those were always some of my favorite reports b/c there are some absolute monsters down there.(even though they didn't get as many comments as bass) Everyday I sit here and wait for Eric Mauer to post a report that he has set the 2 lb world line class record with a 100lb blue cat by the Nukes or some crazy story about falling out of the boat. Then he comes up with a report of 120 bass!!! Go figure! And again another reason the hall of fame is beneficial is b/c there were a lot of cat guys in here posting reports and photos back then.</div><div></div><div> If I've learned anything in my 33 years of life, it is that things will Always change. Dhaun started this site back in 2004-2005. Reading his reports back then you would have thought he would have always been around but he moved to florida. If you read reports from then till now, which I do (yes I have to much time on my hands) you will see people always come and go on this site. I personally try to stay out of the urinating matches on here as it always gets people way to stirred up and causes people to never post b/c they don't want that negativity.</div><div></div><div> Rsimms is right about Jmax. He was always brave enough to post detailed reports on bass with photos, keep an entertaining story line, and still fished TX's. Not many people can do that. </div><div> </div><div> Lastly, thanks for the post Dickey! I didn't mean anything negative bringing up your name. Just seemed like there were less reports once you were gone. I never thought about the crappie tx's affecting things, but as competitive as a lot of us are I wouldn't doubt it. Good thing is that you have given us more reports than anyone and they are all archived! I know from reading comments in the past that a lot of people looked up to you and really enjoyed your transparency in your reports. I respect anyone who is not afraid to help others learn to fish and take care of fish. At least now, guys that may not have known where you were, know you are still doing what you love! And you can know you are missed as I'm sure Jmax will be too!</div><div></div><div> P.S.- I would actually post a report, but I had a trailer bearing go out on me at the 58/60 split 6 weeks ago. Limped over to a place to get it fixed and they did a couple other little things on the motor. Got the boat back a day later and it has been overheating ever since!

</div><div></div>

 

[puddle jumper]

Thanks for your post DK,
Like always you are killing them " and releasing a few, LOL"
PJ.

 

[Gator]

I hate that DK doesn't post on CFF!


Crappie guys post but don't get much attention. I've posted many times w/o a single reply. It's like DK is a "Bill Dance" post so who isn't interested in his info but most of the rest of us are "Goober Pyle" and not a lot of interest. Lol

 

[SlabDog]

Gator - 7/22/2017 8:02 AM Crappie guys post but don't get much attention. I've posted many times w/o a single reply. It's like DK is a "Bill Dance" post so who isn't interested in his info but most of the rest of us are "Goober Pyle" and not a lot of interest. Lol

</p>

LOL...yep. that's about it for sure. I don't post hardly at all, but me and my friends eat a lot of crappie year round. It's the best fish in the water to me. To those that eat a lot of fish and like it with a touch of spice, this stuff is great. I get a gallon for just under 10 bucks at Academy: <span style="color: #333333; font-family: mallory-microplus, sans-serif; font-size: 1.5em"></span></p>

Louisiana Fish Fry Products 1-Gallon Seasoned Fish Fry $9.99</p>

I would post a pic, but it such a PITA!</p>

</p>

 

[Mr. S]

I can honestly say, after being absent from fishing for close to 25 years. That if it weren't for your posts and personal instruction DK, I would probably still not have a crappie fillet in my freezer to this day... I work night shift and that makes it doubly difficult to find the ambition to even go fishing. I don't go often, when I do I try to impart what little bit of information I can. I too enjoy and miss all those that posted on a regular basis. And as we all know hot water and temperatures makes us a little more lazy, aka "dog days of summer". And the crappie get a little more difficult to locate for some. I peruse the other sites as well just for entertainment and information, while I'm supposed to be working... so when I get out on the water I have a clue as to where to start.

 

[Blue76]

I pretty much never read a crappie post unless it is by drumking. I just love the idea that one day I could retire and enjoy living life as much as he appears to do. He writes a good, fun report that always makes me smile.

Seems like a great guy. Only met him once when he pulled a buddy of mine and I in when his boat died.

Good guy...

Greg