Crappies, Pool 8 1/2/11

  • bret_clark
    Sparta, WI
    Posts: 9362
    January 2, 2011 at 7:22 pm #1302078

    After spending New Years day hunkered down out of the wind, on the couch in front of the boob tube, eatin’ and enjoy barley pops, my butt needed to get moving come next AM and work off a few extra add ons

    I made an early start headed for a La Crosse community hole not step on by me yet this year and knew where the set up should be. There were good signs once the destination was reached…no one around and a lot of OLD holes.

    The set up was off a sand bar 2 feet below that breaks current, the back side drops into 8fow and this is where the baits were dropped looking for the nomads of the sand. The spot holds bait fish just out of current and the paper mouths cruise in packs looking for stranded food

    The bite was ever so light. After 3 stolen baits, a count of 4 was givin’ just keeping a bend to the spring before sweeping into a soft hook set. The first hook up had that ever sweet sound of drag coming from the Pflueger spooled with 2lb From there more marks kept being pulled 6 feet below, all chasers but not all biters. Patience and often changing up the presentation did however fool some large pie holes into slowly inhaling the baits.

    Down sizing to a number #14 bumblebee Diamond jig tipped with a waxie was the most productive set up but, the Slender Spoon with Gulp Alive did stick the nicest fish of the day just shy of 12 or…12 if I pinch the tail

    Best bite was from set up (7ish) tell 11:30. Took some pictures, kept enough for grilled crappie melted cheese sandwiches, gave lessons to a few others and sent them back on there way before calling it a day just past noon.

    The fix felt good….Good luck fishing Iceheads


    Pat Howard
    Sparta Wi
    Posts: 1523
    January 2, 2011 at 7:27 pm #921815

    Good stuff Bret

    Mudshark
    LaCrosse WI
    Posts: 2973
    January 2, 2011 at 7:34 pm #921816

    HEY…..I know that spot

    As usual Good fish Bret……

    Richard V.
    Somewhere over the rainbow
    Posts: 2596
    January 2, 2011 at 7:40 pm #921820

    You got enough for a few good sized crappie cheese sammies there. :drool:

    Dave Koonce
    Moderator
    Prairie du Chien Wi.
    Posts: 6946
    January 2, 2011 at 7:45 pm #921821

    That is sum good stuff right there buba !!

    abe
    La Crosse
    Posts: 155
    January 2, 2011 at 7:47 pm #921823

    Thanks for that report Bret, nice work!

    bret_clark
    Sparta, WI
    Posts: 9362
    January 2, 2011 at 7:49 pm #921824

    Quote:

    You got enough for a few good sized crappie cheese sammies there. :drool:

    I like to make it worth my wild

    The brakes had to be put on and selective harvest had to be brought into play, the season has been treating me well so far My equipment sees too much time on the hard stuff to become a meat hog….well that’s what Blue would tell me

    jeff_jensen
    cassville ,wis
    Posts: 3053
    January 2, 2011 at 8:02 pm #921828

    Nice job buddy!

    bosman
    DeSoto, WI
    Posts: 914
    January 2, 2011 at 8:32 pm #921834

    Boy them are some dark colored specs for Mississippi January crappie. Nice work Mr. Clark

    jig-fan
    Port Byron IL
    Posts: 413
    January 2, 2011 at 9:07 pm #921839

    Nice fish, and as always a good story. Thanks for the report.

    Jesse Krook
    Y.M.H.
    Posts: 6403
    January 2, 2011 at 9:57 pm #921844

    nice pies Bret….yum!!!!!

    icepromk
    sw wi
    Posts: 108
    January 2, 2011 at 10:47 pm #921858

    which community hole??

    bret_clark
    Sparta, WI
    Posts: 9362
    January 2, 2011 at 10:59 pm #921861

    40 some years and the same question comes up…..which community hole?

    Is it fare just to give away a spot or……should it be shared by those that know when to hit it? Please…..I hope no one takes me a wise arse but….I believe the information that was provided gave many Iceheads in the La Crosse area a great clue of the spot. Not only that, there are more than another dozen like it on Pool 8 that more than likely had the same bite

    I’m not one to take away from homework

    kyle_seubert
    La Crosse, WI
    Posts: 44
    January 2, 2011 at 11:07 pm #921865

    Quote:

    40 some years and the same question comes up…..which community hole?

    Is it fare just to give away a spot or……should it be shared by those that know when to hit it? Please…..I hope no one takes me a wise arse but….I believe the information that was provided gave many Iceheads in the La Crosse area a great clue of the spot. Not only that, there are more than another dozen like it on Pool 8 that more than likely had the same bite

    I’m not one to take away from homework

    well said Bret

    Richard V.
    Somewhere over the rainbow
    Posts: 2596
    January 3, 2011 at 12:44 am #921904

    Quote:

    I’m not one to take away from homework

    Homework, did you say homework. I supose tomorrow you will also have a pop quiz…

    cpetey
    Onalaska, Wi
    Posts: 1193
    January 3, 2011 at 12:50 am #921910

    11:30 the fish did seem to shut down. I should’ve left as I only caught one keeper after that. But, like gambling, I just knew I was going to hit it big. Next time, I guess…

    We found fish in 15 feet of water. There were more sniffers than biters, but as Bret said, with switching things up a little, coaxing the Mache’ Mouths to bite could be had. Most ran in the 8-9 inch range, but I did manage to keep a few over 10 for the Crisco and cast iron.

    sootie
    arcadia wi,
    Posts: 213
    January 3, 2011 at 1:08 am #921919

    wwayn720
    West central Wi
    Posts: 46
    January 3, 2011 at 1:33 am #921928

    Quote:

    kept enough for grilled crappie melted cheese sandwiches

    Good job and those sandwiches sound interesting care to share the recipe?

    targaman
    Inactive
    Wilton, WI
    Posts: 2759
    January 3, 2011 at 2:11 am #921942

    Good job Bret. I also noticed the crappie bite was a little light the last couple day but if you mix it up you will catch fish.

    luke_haugland
    Iowa City, Iowa
    Posts: 3037
    January 3, 2011 at 2:39 am #921951

    Crappie cheese sand whiches?!?!? Gotta try that!

    Joel Ballweg
    Sauk City, Wisconsin
    Posts: 3295
    January 3, 2011 at 12:52 pm #922015

    Nice report and fish Bret.
    Thanks for practicing selective harvest.
    It shows you care about the future of fishing, not just how many you can pile up on the ice.

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