I started the morning leaving Sparta at 4:40am heading for Pool 8, in the La Crosse area.The temp was -1 degree with no wind, and the stars were out. I was set up and fishing by 5:45am with a good bite already on! The action was good up to 8:30am and coming to a stop by 9:00am. It was worth getting to the ice early am while the crappies were feeding shallow before slipping back into deeper water.
I started off dropping in a Purple/White Rock-A-Roo, the LX-5 loaded up with fish and I was slammed immediately. At first there was no finesse needed for a hook up. I just needed to drop the bait to within 2’ of the bottom, give it a jig, and I would be hit. This lasted a good hour before they became a little touchy. At this point I dropped a Purple Purest at them, with some coaxing I could get a hit. I would drop the bait looking for a fish to come from the bottom. If I did mark a fish, I dropped the Purest just above his face then lifted, if the fish followed, it was committed to bite.
From 8:30 till 9:00 I was marking fewer fish. They were leaving this shallow flat and heading to deeper water nearby. With 24 crappies, the average being 8 – 10.5 inches and another 24 caught and released there was no reason for me to chase them. With a fast and consistent bite, it was one of my better mornings for February.
Great report Bret You da’ man
That’s what I get for in this morning . Missed out on another great bite
Nice fish fry Great report, looked like a good day to be out on the ice.
Awesome report Bret That is a great bunch of fish for a late February outing. Hopefully we can get out to the other spot sometime in the evening this week
Nice catch Bret…do you think you could overnight some fresh fillets down my way??
Thanks for the report and pics Bret. And all caught before anyone else arrives.
Thanks, Bill