Pool 13 Crappies – September 18, 2005

I begin by saying that I have no pictures for this report because I left the camera sitting here by the computer before I left last week. I’ve spent the last four days on "13" chasing my favorite fish, the Slab. The Slab is of course a member of the crappie family, but bigger. I only caught two Slabs the past few days, but many crappies. The slabs were 14" and a monster 17" bruiser that swims yet today. I had many many crappies that were in the 9"-12" range. My technique is the same as always, look for submerged structure in a bit of current. I found fish in water as shallow as 1 ft. and deep as 8 ft. I found some fish in an area that had absolutely no current whatsoever as well. I always use my St. Croix Avid 6’6" light action fast (AS66LF or ASLF2). When you have the guys just sucking in your jig or minnow, the sensitivity of the St. Croix rods will put more fish in the livewell. I caught the vast majority of fish on 1/16th oz. or 1/32 oz char. Northland Gypsi jigs tipped with a minnow, or a Black/White tube on either a 1/32 oz. or 1/64 oz. Betts Krazy Krappie jighead. Some days, the Black/White tube produced more when it was naked. Other days, they wanted it dressed with a minnow.

I caught many fish, but I had to work hard at it. I never found one spot that produced fish after fish. I moved a lot and would usually pull one or two from a spot at a time. I did find a couple spots that produced consistently throughout my time on the water. Those spots that were consistent producers would get hit a few times each day. Each time I would stop, they always produced a few fish. Keep that tip in mind, next time out.

The big boys are still out deep, but with water temps creeping down, they’ll be moving shallow before you know it, and they’ll want to be with their buddies. Before you know it, when you find one, you’ll find many. If the good lord and/or the corp doesn’t have other plans, it’s shaping up to be a great year for Slabs and their little siblings, the crappie. Good luck!