Sunday Crappie Chickamauga 3/25/2007

[drumking]

The old saying that you had better strike while the iron is hot has provoked me to go again this morning. I fished alone. Overall, I had a good day, although it took longer to limit out than the past 2 days. Fish totals: 32 keeper crappie, 19 throwback crappie, 1 dink LM (green trash fish), a gazillion bluegill and yellow bass. About 70% of the fish came on the stinger with some better quality fish coming on the assassin.

I fished Island Cove initially and got 25 keepers in there before deciding to explore new water. I moved to an area that is conducive to catching white crappie and caught the rest of the keepers in that area. Fish were scattered in there, but they seemed to be roaming. Water depth was 3.7 - 5.0 feet over woody cover. I have never fished this particular area of water before and it is a huge area to fish, but I had it all to myself. Lots of fishermen in other areas, but none fishing the exact type of water and cover that I was. I'm gonna explore this some more tomorrow AM I guess and then take Fishin Fool on Tuesday. Hope he wants to crappie fish, but I will do whatever he wants to do.

 

[fisherpal2k]

Good job Drumking!  Looks like you had a good day and I like those jigs! thanks for the report and the pics..

 

[drumking]

fisherpal2k - 3/25/2007 6:33 PM

Good job Drumking!  Looks like you had a good day and I like those jigs! thanks for the report and the pics..

Hi there Fisherpal. I usually buy white or pearl color plastics and then color them up the way that I want to. I have the following spike-it colors. Blue, Red, Hot Pink, Chartreuse, Lime. I get hot orange by dipping in chartreuse and then hot pink. Lots of weird colors and things that you can do with these little plastics.emoGeezer

 

[fishinvol]

Dickey, how much longer can we expect the crappie bite to continue? I am hoping at least 1 or 2 more weeks.

 

[Guest]

Great report DK I am with you on the "strike while the iron is hot" if someone can't catch crappie right now they might want to take up golf.

Cheez

 

[polo-dog]

Fantastic to see that you are still in touch with the fish there DK! I'm glad that they finally have moved into the shallow water for you. Were you fishing with a float or without?

 

[Fishin Fool]

Sounds like a winner to me DK! I'm ready to go get some of them!

 

[Liveliner]

DK, you did great. It was very slow down river today. They just would not touch anything but minnows and very slow at that.

 

[koda4u]

Fished Chick. Sun. morn with neighbor, caught limit fish by 11:45am, fishing backwater by trolling jigs and twisters( char. early and blue later )... Caught 70% females with 12 over 1lb. and one that was 17" and 2.6lb. Depth was 4.5-6.8. Fished jigs at 4 ft. with 1/16 oz.

 

[drumking]

fishinvol - 3/25/2007 9:10 PM

Dickey, how much longer can we expect the crappie bite to continue? I am hoping at least 1 or 2 more weeks.

Chris, I think that they have already hit peak and are in a slight decline. However, the full moon is coming up on the 2nd of April and the fish that haven't spawned will probably do so by then. April 10th it will be like the dead sea unless some of those fish that Liveliner and Whistler are catching in the river and are still somewhat deep finally come up to spawn. I'm not really sure because I usually quit Crappie fishing along about now and start concentrating on shellcrackers. I just love to catch bluegills and crackers. I will start back Crappie fishing late May or June, the good Lord willing.

To answer another question from someone: I am tightlining the jigs right now, although when I get into stumps, wood, etc, I like to floater fish too.

 

[koda4u]

I don't know about the peak or not but the water temp is right, all of my female catches are still with eggs and most are not ready yet. Atleast up river from most of you guys...

 

[drumking]

koda4u - 3/26/2007 8:21 AM

I don't know about the peak or not but the water temp is right, all of my female catches are still with eggs and most are not ready yet. Atleast up river from most of you guys...

The eggs in the few females that I have kept the past 3 days are grainy and some appear to be about 1/2 spawned out. Males are in their blackest tuxedos which only means one thing. Honey, it's time to party. I fished up around Dayton about a month ago and their fish were definitely way behind the fish down here. If you consider the entire lake which is 50 miles long, the spawn will probably last 1 month or so, but most of my info concerns the lower end of the lake. Thanks for the report about those fish upstream from us. emoBigsmile emoGeezer

 

[koda4u]

drumking - 3/26/2007 8:31 AM

koda4u - 3/26/2007 8:21 AM

I don't know about the peak or not but the water temp is right, all of my female catches are still with eggs and most are not ready yet. Atleast up river from most of you guys...

The eggs in the few females that I have kept the past 3 days are grainy and some appear to be about 1/2 spawned out. Males are in their blackest tuxedos which only means one thing. Honey, it's time to party. I fished up around Dayton about a month ago and their fish were definitely way behind the fish down here. If you consider the entire lake which is 50 miles long, the spawn will probably last 1 month or so, but most of my info concerns the lower end of the lake. Thanks for the report about those fish upstream from us. emoBigsmile emoGeezer

Well put about the fish being a few weeks behind, also the Bar water temp. on Sun. according to my dad was around 53-54, so they are even further behind... I have been fishing mainly on the Hiwassee.

 

[drumking]

Good report, and emoWelcome to the forum. Looking for many more great reports from you. Good luck on the Hiwassie. I have never fished up there, but want to someday.

 

[koda4u]

I moved from the Wolf to old fishing areas that I fished in earlier years, it really gets busy down that way. I'll point you in the right direction up here one day if you are up.

 

[koda4u]

Drumking, where around can I find some blue stingers???

 

[beagan]

that is some good fish good eatin

 

[drumking]

koda4u - 3/26/2007 8:57 AM

Drumking, where around can I find some blue stingers???

Buy white stingers and dye the head blue. Buy a bottle of spike-it in blue. I also use chartreuse and pink a lot.

 

[koda4u]

Just got back from Walmart... Did just that... thanks