Decent weather days are getting few and far between it seems, so when the forecast called for light winds and temps near 40 with no rain, I had to take a day off work and go fishing. I swung by and picked up my crappie mentor, Lee Dilly, and for a change of pace, we hit the road for parts unknown. Turned out to be the best quality crappie day we've ever had. Fishing deep structure in 39 degree water, we managed to bring 55 crappie to the boat. Out of that group, we had 16 fish that were over 12 inches. Eleven of those were over 13 inches, and seven were over 14 inches. The smallest of the seven weighed 1.25 pounds and they went up from there. Not certain of the total weight as we didn't weigh them all, but certainly over 9lbs. and likely pushing 10. Nearly every one of them had bulging bellies, and one even had the protruding tail of what we estimated was a 4"-5" gizzard shad stuck down it's throat. We took several pictures of the fish, which you can see below. However, I've done a little "editing" to help camouflage the specific lake. I know they're "just" crappies, but these fish are grouped up in very specific spots right now, and it would be easy for someone that recognized the lake, and especially the more specific locations on that lake, to do some damage. We released every fish today back to the water after quick pics and measurements, so they'll be there for others to enjoy, and to procreate next spring and spread their big fish genes.
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Wow. Cool backdrop! Wyoming? Or... the moon? :)
Posted by: Paul Roberts | December 03, 2014 at 10:27 PM
No offense, but when you catch on "your place " it's a secret, but when it's on someone else's lake like shafer, Geist , or raccoon you never hesitate to name the lake the lure and all the details.
Posted by: Dan guard | December 03, 2014 at 10:34 PM
None taken, Dan, but I'd politely disagree with you. I've mentioned Heritage Lake (the "home" lake) numerous times, and even shot and posted video to YouTube of me fishing there, so that's not a problem for me. If I don't mention it, it's usually because I don't want anyone getting in trouble by driving over and trying to fish it since it is private. Not everyone knows that. Other lakes, sometimes I mention and sometimes I don't. Go through old posts and see for yourself. For example, I never personally mentioned Shafer/Freeman by name because I was asked not to. When people send me pics (from there or other lakes) and ask me not to post them, I don't. If they say it's OK, and give me the lake name, I'll post it. Sometimes they don't want it listed. If they ask me to white out a background, I do. Lots of pics I've posted of me and others were either just cooler shots, or treed backgrounds that could be on any lake, or if I mentioned the lake, you still had no idea where on the lake we caught them. It all just depends, and usually doesn't matter much. In this case, given the quality of the fish, and the fact they are all in one small area, I'd rather not mention it. Knew it would upset some, but also know they'll be those who say they know anyway. As for "all the other details," creek channel edges in 20'-23' of water on jigs (crappie tubes), 1/16 and 1/8-oz. You can even see the colors used in some of the pics :)
Posted by: Brian | December 03, 2014 at 11:08 PM
SLABS !!
That 'good luck sock hat' is working for you.
Posted by: asshat | December 04, 2014 at 05:23 AM
Great job guys. Lee is one of the best crappie fisherman I have ever met and I know you can find them when no one else can! It's a shame so many want to know exactly where you were at. I am getting like you, just give water temp, size, color, and depth and that should be enough to help as patterns are usually the same from lake to lake.
Posted by: B Sturm | December 04, 2014 at 11:16 AM
Very nice fish!! Couldn't agree more with keeping the lake a secret and thumbs up for releasing to let somebody else enjoy them!! Always enjoy reading your posts and seeing the pics. Thanks for all you do!
Posted by: BA | December 05, 2014 at 08:05 AM