With the ice season upon us, and deer hunting over, it is time to see what is going on in and around the area. Sunday I ventured down to North Lake with my son Ben, Step son Adam McNamara, and Brother-in-law Scott Olson of Farmington. We have heard the reports of some large crappie being caught in the early moring hours. Sizes typically running in the half to pound and a half range. Not much for quantity yet, and that proved to be true.
We headed out to the east fo the landing a a couple hundred yards, and set up two Otter Lodges in about 30 seconds. (Otter has changed their inner support frames to square aluminum ones, making set-up even faster!) We popped in about 8 holes, and got busy. Had a lot of lookers, but only one fish for the four of us. It was slow going! You could see them come up off the bottom on the Vexilar’s, look, and swim away.
My favorite setup for these large crappies is a copepod looking jig which is nothing more than a #6 Gamakatzu hook, and a sponge bobber. I tip them with fatheads and crappie minnows. I put on on each rod to see which one they want. We tried waxies too with no success. The week between Christmas and New Years is usually the best, so better times are to come I am sure! I will be posting as often as I make it down there.
Tuck
Hey Eye-Guide,
I remember back in 97, we slaughtered big slabs that winter because of the high water that year.
Good report. I’m going to have to give it a try again!!!
Are the snowmobilers running wild again??? I remember last year they were drag-racing within 100 ft of me at times.
Yeah, I remember those days! Big slabs, and good numbers! No suicide jockeys down there now. I think they are getting their fill on the trails. It is nice and quiet right now. I just wish the bite would pick up. I got down there last night, and managed 1 right about a pound, and a white bass.
Thanks for the report. A buddy of mine has been doing alright down there right away in the morning. I’ll get down there over the holidays.
Gator Hunter