While ole man winter still has his grip on us here in the Midwest, we dont let a little cold weather keep us from catching nice crappie.An unusually mild January has kept water temps around 42 degrees on the lakes in the Ozarks and the crappie are staging in the creeks and coves.
Anglers are coming out of winter hibernation and filling their live wells with better than average fish.
Having an exceptional spawn in the springs of 2003 & '04, has now produced some mature crappie that would rival any southern lake. Reports of 14-16 inch crappie are common now and (as you can see) my photo speaks for itself.
Some fishermen have been drifting minnows over flats and creek channels but I've been fishing pea gravel flats and pole timber in depths of 4-9 feet using soft plastic grubs and tubes.
Crappie arent schooled as well now as in the spring so you'll have to cover a little area in order to catch a limit but with a little patience most anyone can be successful.
The ideal boat for these conditions would be like the G3 1756 Deluxe. Light and easy to manuever, big livewell, and ample storage will make your day on the water a breeze.
So if you have cabin fever and tired of only having "honey do's" to keep you busy, then you really have a reason now to get to the lake. Bring home a mess of crappie for supper and you'll be a hit around your home...guarantee it!
Let me know how the fishin is on your home lake and watch for some hot crappie action later this year on the G3 Sportsman.
Sunday mornings at 8 on FSN Midwest. Photo by Steve Matt
