2012 Springtime Crappie - Dock fishing

Finally had a chance to get out and do some springtime Crappie fishing. Very warm temperatures this year have all the fish active and spawning earlier than usual. While I didn't get the boat out, I decided to try a reliable method of fishing from the docks.

Spent  a short time fishing off a dock at the Lake of The Ozarks. Some of the Ol' Timers have sunk brush piles between areas of the boat dock, which makes for some reliable fishing year round.

I've fished a number of docks over the years, but the last couple I started using my 24 - 26 inch Ice fishing combo, which is compact, super-sensitive, and a whole lot of fun when you hook a fish.

My favorite combo is the Frabill Panfish Popper, with a sensitive spring bobber on the tip. I tie a size #6 Wade's Blade directly to the line, add a small split-shot about 5 inches above the Blade, and tip it with a minnow.

Drop the bait over the side of the dock and let out enough line so that it is slightly above the brush. You can see the minnow get nervous by watching your spring bobber move. Then when the fish takes it, the spring bobber will take a deep bend down towards the water. That's when you get hooked-up.

Give this method a chance some time. I will have these combos available on the site soon. It's the most fun you can have fishing from the dock, and the compact rods do not take up any room. You don't know what you'll catch. Crappie, Bluegill, Stripers, Walleye, and Crappie. Oh yea, and hang on or watch your rod close.....lost two poles last year to big fish!


Good Luck. Till nest time........Tight Lines!

Greg

5/10/2011 Shellcracker Fishing and New Lake Record......High Water Levels That Is!

Hi everyone,

Just got back from a one day trip to Lake Barkley in Kentucky (5/10/2011). Despite record high water levels, the fishing was great. Both Kentucky and Barkley lakes are dropping pretty fast, so things should improve even more once levels begin to stabilize. And water clarity in the bays are currently very good, which always helps.

My son Tyler and I spent the day with Jim Doom from "Between The Rivers Guide Service". Jim is a very good guide and an all-around great guy. I would highly recommend him! If you want to get in on some great Shellcracker and Bluegill action contact jim at the following: e-mail -  jdoom26@yahoo.com or by phone: 270-703-7337 or 270-508-1251. 

Below are some Shellcracker pics from the trip. Tyler caught his personal best with a large 13 inch male. We did not weigh it, but as you will see in the pics it was a FATTY. We also caught a bunch of nice Bluegills on the trip.

1/32nd oz. Horizontal Minnow Jigs worked well with Dolphy or Puba Plastics, tipped with a redworm or waxworm. Wade's Blades also caught fish.

Since Shellcrackers/Redear fight so well, I used a medium-light rod. just cast the 1/32nd oz. jigs out by themselves and let them sink. Reel in slowly across the bottom and this is a great way to find bedding fish. Tyler used a lift-drop retrieve method which obviously worked well! 

If there are too many weeds or other debris in the water where you fish, try using a slip-float. They will keep your baits suspended off the bottom.

Tight Lines,

Greg

Spring Break 80 Degree Ice Fishing......well not quite

Hey Everyone!

Just got back from a 2 day trip to Lake of The Ozarks here in Missouri. Took My son Tyler out for a short "Spring Break" fishing trip.

Started out yesterday afternoon fishing below the dam using my jig and float technique, in an effort to catch some White Bass, but they have not showed up yet! Only managed one. But TY and I caught a couple nice Bass.

Spent the night at the cabin and fished the boat docks for Crappie. Water was pretty stained, but the bite was "on"!  My son actually suggested that we take the ice fishing rods with us! At first I thought he was crazy, but the more I thought about it ...it made sense!

A lot of people sink brush and other fish attractors directly below the docks. The short 24" rods with spring bobbers were great for fishing those "tight" places around the docks. The spring bobbers allowed us to drop my #6 Wade's Blades jigs down pretty deep and detected the slightest nibble. Once we saw the minnow getting nervous, it was just a matter of seconds before the rods had a deep bend in them, with a fish on the line.

They are also more sensitive when fishing with horizontal jigs and plastics, which also worked well. We are probably the only people to ever use ice rods on this massive 55,000 acre lake.

Taking the family to the lake? Want to fish but have no room for rods and tackle? Sure you can't fit a couple 24" rods somewhere? Might be onto something? 

Lesson here: Don't put your ice fishing tackle & equipment away after the ice melts. You might have your best spring ever using the lures and baits you already have!

Till next time.....Tight Lines,

Greg

Wade's Blades announces two NEW "Field Testers" for their lures

John and Sean McKean are a father and son team from Pennsylvania who are passionate about fishing & catch a variety of species. John is also a former writer for the original "Fishing Facts" magazine.

John has written articles for me which I have posted on our Facebook page and this website, telling us how he's used Wade's Blades to catch big Carp, Catfish, and other species.

This year he plans to spend a lot of time chasing down big Crappies. He always has good tips and suggestions for making the most of your time on the water, which I will share with you.

Below is a brief Biography of John and Sean.

Welcome aboard guys!

JOHN McKEAN

John is a retired school teacher and has lots of time to

put his Wade's Blades in front of a big variety of local fish!

When he's not competing in weightlifting competitions, writing on various interests, or target shooting a slingshot, he's found chasing his favorite crappie, perch, trout or bluegill with light tackle in small lakes and ponds. John is also a big fan of the large, hard fighting carp that he stalks with small jigs, and enjoys getting up to Lake Erie to walk the many stone piers for big varieties that include hefty smallmouth, channel cats, sheepshead, and steelhead.

John was a former writer for the original Fishing Facts

magazine and has been a hardcore angler for 60 years.

SEAN McKEAN

Sean has fished for virtually 

all 

his 29 years, learning from his 

dad the power of light jigs, having used them since he could first walk!

He's deadly on trout with Wade's new 

jighead series, tipped with small plastics, and 

enjoys night fishing for huge channel catfish.

Working as a chef, Sean can always be counted 

on to supply terrific platters of crappie,perch, 

and bluegills after a venture out to local waters!