Sunday, March 30, 2008

Spring Crappie Fishing

Well folks now that the winter is near over and the ice is off most of the lakes, ponds, rivers and streams all we need to do know is wait for the crappie spawn to catch some big slab spring crappie. Wrong! You are missing out on some of the most amazing spring crappie fishing. The fishing pressure will be light because of the still very cold weather. If you can tolerate some very inclement weather you will experience some of the most amazing spring crappie fishing.
After ice out it is time to go out and start your spring crappie fishing. The crappie are still in deep water but will start their move into holding areas close to their spawning beds. They will be hungry and will their feeding in Ernest. The water is extremely cold, so you will have to use a very slow bait presentation. The trick is being able to locate the fish, there are some fundamentals you need to be aware of to find the big slab pre-spawn spring crappie. Oh you won't have to be out on the lake at first light either. It has been my experience , afternoon is better this time of year because there is some sun warming and the crappie feed on the moving bait fish more in the afternoon.
A good place to start your spring crappie fishing is at the last places the ice fisherman were catching crappie. If you don't ice fish contact some ice fisherman and find out their last fishing locations. The fish will be holding at these locations right after ice out. If your lake is shallow, head to the deeper boat channels around your lake, the fish will be locate here. In deeper lakes head to narrowing creaks and channels feeding off the lake the spring crappie will be located there. I rivers head for channels that feed off the main river.
When fishing In cold water I prefer ultra light equipment. When your fishing for spring crappie the bite will most likely be very light. You need to be able to feel the bite to catch fish Use 2lb test and an open face reel and a graphite rod, with a good tip. If you are breaking line and snagging a lot move to 4lb fluorocarbon.. I recommend you use 1/32oz or 1/16oz jig heads that have eyes painted on them. The color of the jig head can very, but my preference is chartreuse or pink. with split tail plastic tubes. with some glitter color. My preference is to use clear color tubes with some glitter color in them for clear water. In murky water use white or yellow. If the water is real muddy use chartreuse.
If you use these tips you will be successful. When you catch a giant slab crappie in early spring there is no better feeling. Well good luck with your spring crappie fishing.
Mark Fleagle is the owner of eaglesnestmarketing.ws and oldfishinghole.com
Mark Is a dedicated fisherman with 30+ years of experience and has published numerous articles on fishing. He offers free fishing information and "how to articles at his websites. Visit his site at oldfishinghole.com and download a free copy of his "78 fishing discoveries unleashed" You can also contact him his e-mail address admin@oldfishinghole.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mark_Fleagle

Monday, March 10, 2008

Crappie Fishing Tips for the Toledo Bend Lake Area

By Daniel Eggertsen
When it comes to crappie fishing, Toledo Bend Lake, Crappie fishing requires only a little knowledge and a few tips to maximize your catch! This reservoir is well known for its great crappie fishing.
It is located on the Sabine River, which falls in Sabine, Newton, and Shelby counties, and falls on the Louisiana-Texas line. It does not matter if you are a resident of Texas or Louisiana, as long as you hold a valid fishing license from either state or are exempt because of age, you are allowed to fish legally on either side of the lake.
There are a few state specific regulations for crappie fishing in Lake Toledo Bend, though. In the Texas side of the lake, the daily fishing limit is fifty black or white crappie, or any combination of both. You can have no more than fifty crappie in your possession. There is a minimum length of ten inches each for crappie if you are fishing anywhere from March to November, but the months of December through February, there is no minimum length for crappie and all of them caught must be kept.
If, however, you are fishing for crappie on the lake with a Louisiana license, the regulations will differ. It is important to remember that if you are in possession of fish on the Texas side of the lake, no matter which state license you hold, your catch much conform to Texas regulations no matter on which side the fish were caught.
When fishing for crappie on Lake Toledo Bend, you will find the fishing good year round, but for peak times, are always during the spawn, which occurs during the spring. During this time of year, pay special attention to the shallows where there are plenty of brushy vegetated areas. Jigs and minnows will be great choices for bait during this time.
At other times of the year, before or after spawning, pay close attention to deeper water areas that offer lots of brushy areas in which the crappie can shelter and feed. Look also near creek channels.
As always, the time of year in which you are fishing will determine so much about how and where you fish. The following break down of seasonal differences in where you will be able to locate the prime crappie rich areas on Toledo Bend Lake will help you maximize your catch potential.
Dan Eggertsen is a fishing researcher and enthusiast who is committed to providing the best crappie fishing information possible. Get more information on
Toledo Bend crappie fishing here: http://www.askcrappiefishing.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Daniel_Eggertsen

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