Mobasser

My wife and I fish for crappie each spring. I'll fish for them after that, then we'll go together again in fall. 3 yrs ago we each bought Falcon original graphite spinning rods in 6ft length. We run Shimano 1000 size spin reels. I also use a couple of older 5ft spin rods, which work well for jigging directly over the boat.We usually use 4lb mono. Our rods are light , fast action with a slight tip flex, which works good for casting and more vertical jigging. If I'm casting in more shallow areas, we use a quarter size weighted float, made by Comal tackle. We use a mix of tube jigs, puddle jumpers, and Bobby Garland minnow shaped plastic baits. I also have begun using a sickle hook jig-made by Arkie, usually 1/32 up to 1/8 oz. We fish for them to stock the freezer with fillets. Lots of folks say that walleye is the best tasting fish, but I'm not so sure.Crappie fillets fried to a golden brown, with a small shot of hot sauce are very hard to beat. Good thread Toxic.

I agree. These stocked trout become conditioned to the brown pellets in the hatchery. That's the only food they know

Me too Mike

The Searchers

Bluebasser86 I agree. Stocked trout are fun to catch on light gear, but don't taste good to me either. I'll have to try some Cleo spoons. I too like to cast and move. I'm not a powerbait fisherman either

Catt, I havnt tried many craw baits in colder water. I've mostly stayed with straight tail worms, with lighter weight.It always seemed like the less action I had going, the better. I'll have to try some craws on a shakey head, or lighter Texas rig. One thing for sure, cold water fishing really takes some patience. If you lose your concentration, it's too easy to start moving the bait too fast. If I figure I'm in a good spot, almost deadsticking the bait seems to work the best, keeping as close to bottom as possible. If the weather has been up and down, I try to wait for 3-4 days of warming steady weather, then I'll go. Scaleface brought up some good points too. With a consistent warming, a deep crankbait may work well also, fished slowly. Either way it can be tough, as you know. Very different from spring, summer fishing, but good practice on light striking fish.

Rainbow

Dorado, the split shot about 15" above a Zoom or roboworm has done we'll on some days. A very slow crawl works best. As others have said, slow is the secret to this Looking good!

A friend who owned a hardware store years ago in our town had a big bass mounted. He caught this bass on a Creme Scoundrel 6" plastic worm, air temp was 35 degrees, and spitting snow. It used to be common in my area for guys to stop fishing plastic worms in later fall, and switch to jigs , or stop bass fishing for the year. Since a plastic worm is my favorite bass lure, I fish them through the cold season too. Jigs can be excellent too, as many know. I opt for a Zoom finesse worm, Texas rigged. It seems like darker colors have worked better in cold water, and of course a very slow retrieve, sometimes letting the bait sit for several seconds before dragging or slowly lifting from the bottom. Weeds are not usually much of a problem in cold water, but I still go with a Texas rig the most. Sometimes a lighter split shot rig can work well too. Fishing slowly is the key. For me, I'm sure it's 90% a confidence thing, as I've caught more bass through the years on plastic worms, of various sizes and brands than any other baits. They will definitely produce in colder water. Any others fish them in cold water, or do you go with something else? If so what's your favorite worm/rig?

If I were given a choice for alternate species besides bass, crappie would be my first choice. Their a great tasting fish, and fun to catch. For a few seasons now, I've been going after stocked trout too. Our conservation dept stocks several small lakes in November each year. Lots of folks use powerbait, and other dough baits or nightcrawlers, and do very well. Since I like to walk and cast, I use small marabou jigs. Cast out, let them hit bottom, and pop them up off bottom several inches. Like most jig fishing, strikes are light, and come on the fall 95% of the time. I use a 6'6 light spinning rod and 4lb mono. Most all the trout are 12" to 14" inches long, although some larger ones are planted too. Within the first week of stocking these trout will hit lots of small lures and baits. They become more wary over time, and are harder to catch.Its a fun way to spend an afternoon. What are your methods for stocked trout?

Lund is hard to beat, but nothing wrong at all with Tracker. They have improved them a lot over the years. Rangers are good boats- overpriced in my opinion. Lowe is good also. Most of these boats probably have very similar features. If the 2016 Lowe Stinger 175 is available that would be my choice

I agree Catt. Practice will keep you in tune. No practice, and you lose your feel for it. I practice when I can too. I know it helps

Yes. I can take a little pain much easier when fishing, instead of running saws, nailguns etc.

Catt, I agree. Casting accuracy is a big part of this sport. I'd like to get a group of guys together and do your casting practice test. It would be much harder than most would think, to hit those targets consistently. If you could do it daily- your very good at casting

YES! Always honor our veterans, and the sacrifices they have made, past and present??

I know you guys are talking mainly about the West Coast, but our drought in Missouri and the Midwest overall last year was horrible too. We're all praying for rain ourselves. Corn crop here in Missouri was lost in much of the state, and lake levels got dangerously low! Hope it improves for everyone next season

I've done construction type work for 30 yrs. Now at 61 I have my share of aches and pains. Some shoulder and knee issues, but really not too bad. Catt put it well.Improvise, Adapt and Overcome. I think we all have to do this to an extent when we het older. I'll still fish as much as I can.

I'll fish until our lakes freeze over. In Missouri, that can vary, but usually until December. I try and stay warm the best I can

We sometimes fish from ou 17ft Osagian canoe. Usually 3 rods. 2 casting , 1 med spinning, and a small tacklebox packed with lures, which we change depending on season. Love the small boat fishing

Smaller plastic worms, light Texas rig or slider head.

For 3/8 and heavier jigs, I'd go with a med/ ivy rod, regardless of brand. You need more power to set the hook with most jigs of this size. Mine is an older St. Croix, 3/8 to 1oz rated. Works well

I like shad colors. Fish them weightless mostly

I like jerkbaits too. Slider worm and small jig/ trailer. All fished slowly

Toxic, we've done good with the Bobby Garland line of jigs, and standard generic tube jigs also.And I agree with Catt. Best tastin fish that swims!

Love crappie fishing too. Catchem and eatin em both!