Posted on Apr 17, 2010 under ice fishing walleye, walleye bait, walleye fishing, walleye fishing tips, walleye lures |
There are quite a few walleye lures in the market and it is important to know the basics of each of them so you can choose the specific lure according to your specific situation.
Jigs: By far the most popular of the walleye lures. Simply put, jigs is more popular than the other walleye lures because of the simple fact that walleyes have a tendency to spend most of their time towards the bottom of lakes and rivers, so this is where you should be. Now, after deciding on the type of jig, the next thing to do is to choose the right size. Generally speaking, small to medium size is considered ideal, as it is easier for the walleye to catch a smaller size as they eat by inhaling the water around the bait/food. But you should also make sure it is not too small either, otherwise it will be lighter in weight and hence will become less effective. An ideal jig would be one which is small but carries a bit of weight.
Crankbaits: Amongst the various Walleye Lures, crankbaits been steadily gaining in popularity as you can catch a lot of fish with them. But, in order for crankbaits to be effective, it is important to understand and learn how to use them properly. Crankbaits can be broadly classified under two major categories: Rollers and Wobblers. The main difference between these two is the location of the ‘line attaching eye’ on them and the depth in which they run:
A crankbait with the ‘line attaching eye’ in the nose part is called a ‘Roller’. They normally run shallow, and, to be effective, they need to be at a higher speed, as they move in a ‘side to side’ rolling motion.
A crankbait with the ‘line attaching eye’ in the lip part is called a ‘Wobbler’. They normally run deep, and can be at a slower speed than the ‘Roller’, as they move in a ‘zig zag’ motion.
Crankbaits with rattles: This is the newer type of crankbaits, which works on the basis of sound, and has been proven to be highly successful for catching walleyes, even in low-visibility conditions.
Spinners: These are particular types which have rotating blades which move through water, which in turn, develops a kind of vibration which is easily sensed by the walleye. In addition, the flashing feature on the spinners, makes it more attractive to the walleye. The most common blade associated with this is the ‘Colorado blade’. This lure is considered quite effective for catching walleye.
Stickbaits: These types of walleye lures are normally used on larger lakes and stationary reservoirs, as opposed to rivers, where ‘shad style’ walleye lures should be more effective.
Bonus Tip #1: ‘Bottom Bouncers’: This is an add-on to walleye lures, which is, thought somewhat mysterious because of lack of proper information, is actually a good and effective add-on to different lures like Spinners, jigs, crankbaits, etc. and with live bait. It has a track record of catching good many walleye hence it deserves to be mentioned here. It normally comes in two different shapes: straight or bent. It is an accepted fact that the bent bottom bouncers(bent in either ‘L’ or ‘R’ shapes) seem to be more effective, especially so in waters where there are potential obstructions. On a general note, you will have the best results with bottom bouncing with practice and experience, but the information mentioned above will definitely give you an informed & head start.
Bonus Tip #2: ‘Lead Core’: walleye fishing involves fishing in different waters with different depths, from a few feet up to 30 or 40 feet, and it is important to differentiate and understand which walleye lures are most effective at which depths. Now, that can be quite a bit of a task, and a time consuming one. Fortunately there is one technique to add on to your walleye lures which will solve this problem: Lead Core. It is a simply a fishing line with a color-coded, lead-based inner core. Since it has a lead based core, it is heavier and hence sinks in the water. The color coding is to make it easy for you to judge how much of the line is out of the water and how much is inside. That gives you more control of the walleye lures depth, since it allows for an easy depth calculation, based on the visible color of the line. This, in turn, gives you more control of the lure.
Posted on Apr 02, 2010 under Uncategorized |
These spoons are ideal for large predator fish like northern pike, largemouth bass, salmon, lake trout, rainbow trout, brown trout,striped bass, and muskie. These Walleye Lures are our own private brand label, are brand new, and are individually packaged.** 5 ridged spoons, 5 spoons with side spoons, 5 trolling spoons, and 4 bent spoons
** Works best with monofilament fishing line and a moderately fast retrieve
** These spoons have an extra reflective finish and are a sure thing to catch the attention of lots of fish
** AAll spoons are 3″ in length
** Ridged spoons weigh .88 Oz, the spoons with the side spoons weigh .88 Oz, the trolling spoons weigh .125 Oz, and the bent spoons weigh .6 Oz
Posted on Aug 12, 2010 under walleye lures |
The Largemouth Bass is a cold blooded creature. Like all cold blooded creatures its metabolism slows down as the surrounding temperature becomes colder. When this occurs the Largemouth Bass has a greatly decreased energy level. As an angler you must take this change in behavior into account as you plot your fishing strategies. The key things to always remember is keep things slow.
The first thing to consider is just how cold the water temperatures are. Remember the important factor is the water temperature, not the air temperature. If the water temperature is less than 40 degrees I would not even consider targeting Largemouth Bass. This only occurs in the Northern United States. If you want to fish when the water is this cold target another species such as Walleye or Northern Pike. At 45 degrees Largemouth Bas become a little bit active, I still do not recommend fishing for this species under these conditions but at this point you have a fighting chance. It is not until the temperature reaches fifty degrees until Largemouth Bass become a fishable species in my opinion.
When approaching a fishing strategy for Largemouth Bass at this time of year you need to slow things down dramatically. If you are fishing an area that you know holds fish and are not catching any the key things is to always slow down. It is almost impossible to fish too slowly for cold water Largemouth Bass. In fact you need to rethink everything you do during the hot summer months and make a 180 degree change.
You have no need for spinnerbaits, buzzbaits or any topwater lures during periods of cold water. Crankbaits and any other fast moving lures should also be left in the tackle box for warmer times. The two best artificials you can tie on your line are jigs and plastic worms. You should also think big in the cold water months. Again these bass are not very active. They do not have the energy to chase down several small meals. Their objective is to expend very little energy and get a big meal and then forget about eating for awhile.
I recommend the following setup for cold water bass fishing. First you need an ultra sensitive rod. You are much more concerned with feeling a pickup than fighting a fish at this time of year. If you use a heavy action rod you will not even feel the pickups and drops by Largemouth bass that have sampled your offering and declined. You need a high degree of sensitivity to feel pickups and set the hook before the bass drops your bait. They will not slam your offerings aggressively.
Daniel Eggertsen
http://www.articlesbase.com/sports-and-fitness-articles/best-strategies-for-cold-water-bass-fishing-375904.html
Posted on Aug 12, 2010 under walleye bait |
Virginia offers several top-quality lakes and rivers to fish for walleye. Spawning season occurs in early springtime. Walleye leave the comforts of deep water and head towards the shallower depths often found in feeder streams. Bottom surface conditions are clear and clean. Deeper waters are never far away.
Spawning females require a few days of rest following a spawning period. After this, they are looking for that first meal and the bite will be fierce. Spawn and immediate post-spawn periods are ideal for anglers to fish walleye. Outside of spawning season, walleye are particular about where they hang out.
Water temperatures normally fall between 38 and 60 degrees. Water conditions are slightly murky with little or no current movement. Bottom surface conditions are comprised of gravel, sand or rocks. Menu choices cover small fish, crustaceans, worms and insects. Ideal fishing time is during warm weather months from sundown to midnight.
Virginia lakes cover a solid portion of the state and each is good size in nature. The largest lake in the state is Smith Mountain Lake. This massive lake stands at 20,000-acres in size and makes home in the south-central portion of the state in Penhook, Virginia.
Next is the 10,000-acre South Holston Lake creating the southern border of Virginia in Abingdon. Traveling north, there is Lake Anna, which is a bit smaller at 9,600-acres. This lake makes a home in Bumpass, Virginia. The remaining four Virginia lakes suited for walleye fishing are by no means small.
Claytor Lake stands 4,500-acres in the south-west area of the state at Radford, Virginia. Following this is Leesville Reservoir. This 3,400-acre lake falls in south-central Pittsville, Virginia. Philpott Lake, 2,900-acres, also resides in this area at Bassett, Virginia.
Finally, there is Lake Chesdin, at 3,100-acres in Petersburg, Virginia. The record walleye caught in Virginia is 15 lbs. 15 ozs. Virginia lakes and reservoirs maintain a healthy level of pre-stocked walleye fish. Rivers are a different matter. In West Virginia, biologists have recently identified a new breed of walleye, the Ohio River drainage walleye. Fishing officials are working to stock rivers with this new breed of walleye.
Currently, the Kanawha, Ohio and New Rivers are greatly benefiting from this new program. The Kanawha River in West Virginia is the notable place to seek out large sized walleye. Each year, walleye pulled from these waters weigh in between eight and fourteen pounds. Even the best walleye anglers rarely see a walleye of this size. The Virginia record weighing walleye at 17.85 pounds back in 2003 came from this very river. The key to finding these big boys begins with where to start.
Look to the inlets. As spawning season draws near, walleye start seeking out shallower water levels. To do this, they virtually pass by any available inlet along the way. The area below dams, commonly referred to as the tailrace, is another walleye hotspot location. When spawning seasons begins to end, turn attention towards deeper water. Pools and channels along the river course is where walleye lurk. Ideal times are between late evening and dark once water temperatures are on the rise.
The recent walleye stocking program has done wonders for the Ohio River. This program is steadily increasing the quantities and sizes of walleyes. The walleye reside in fast-paced water conditions of dams and upper pool areas. The best fishing technique for the Ohio River is jigs containing minnows or live bait. Pair these selections with slip bobber rigs. These two will function together to keep bait in contact with bottom surfaces.
In the Monongahela River, walleye frequent slack water pools and channels. Anywhere along the river course is relatively decent place to fish for walleye. Other key areas in this river are weed beds. Pay specific attention to bottom structures such as tree stumps or rocks. Navigate these structures in as many ways as possible. There is no way to tell which direction walleye are facing on any given day. Key times to seek out walleye are during low light, warm water conditions.
Daniel Eggertsen
http://www.articlesbase.com/sports-and-fitness-articles/virginia-walleye-fishing-secret-techniques-312328.html
Posted on Aug 12, 2010 under walleye bait |
When fishing for walleye in Illinois you will find that a number of lakes, rivers and reservoirs are available where you can find this particular species of fish. The Kankakee River is one of the most well-known for catching walleyes. There are several lakes where you can go to fish for walleye in Illinois such as Lake Clinton, Lake Shelbyville and Lake Michigan to name a few. The Carlyle Lake and Kinkaid Lake are also popular choices where many anglers like to try their hand at catching this elusive fish. Walleyes prefer the cold deep waters that these areas have to offer.
Since the opening of the Jake Wolf Hatchery, walleyes have become more abundant than ever in the history of Illinois. There are plenty of walleyes being found in areas where they use to be uncommon. This is great for the anglers that live in this area making it easier for them to go after this exciting and subtle species. It is also great for visitors that love to come to Illinois and fish.
The Fox Chain-O-Lakes is designed by a natural chain of fifteen lakes that are located in the northeast part of Illinois. You will find that the walleye swim in every one of these lakes, although you will have better luck fishing in some of them than with others
You can check with the Department of Natural Resources to get a better idea of where the most walleyes are located in this area.
Although you can find a lot more walleye in the lakes of Illinois today than in the past, you still need to know which techniques work the best if you want to catch your limit of walleyes. Below are some techniques for catching walleyes in Illinois that can help you have a great adventure that you can talk about for many years.
Techniques for Catching Walleyes in Illinois
Now that it is easier than ever to find locations in Illinois that are filled with the walleye, you need to know the best techniques for catching them in this area. It is recommended that you use live bait, crawfish, spoons, small spinner bait, crankbaits and plastic worms to fish for walleye in Illinois. These will help you get the best results for your time and effort.
How you catch walleyes in Illinois will partly depend on the time of year you are fishing. From about May to the middle of summer it’s pretty simple. This is the time that the walleyes are feeding and all you really need to do is locate the area where they are spanning. Normally, when there is little light shining on the water you will find the walleye about six feet deep in the water. In bright sunny areas they tend to go deeper and can be found around twelve feet.
The best places to find them will be around inlets and around the breaklines near the banks. They also tend to stay around the shoreline, in grass, around trees or branches, large rocks and any other type of natural formed covering. In the spring you will need to use small jigs, crankbait and plastic worms to get the best results. The same is true for the summer months but you can also get some really good results with lures that resembles crawfish. This time of year the walleye are in search of food and this makes it easier to catch them than normally.
Daniel Eggertsen
http://www.articlesbase.com/sports-and-fitness-articles/great-tips-for-illinois-walleye-fishing-308377.html
Posted on Aug 12, 2010 under walleye bait |
Summer walleye, this is the time for the most popular game fish in Canada. Tens of thousands of anglers consider this their favourite fish to catch for the sport and mostly for the fact that it is one of the greatest fish to eat.
This walleye fishing tip comes from an experience while fishing walleye in Northern Ontario, on Manitoulin Island, I went out early in the morning hoping to pick up a few walleye early.
I headed for a shoal that I fish frequently; it is about 20 to 25 feet of water, and drops off to about 70 feet deep. After about and hour or so, I had 2 small walleyes to show for my effort. Guessing that the cool front that moved through over night had affected the fish, I started to fish the drop off and along the length of the shoal, and still no fish. With the help of technology (fish finder, sonar) I found that there were groups of fish suspended at 20 to 25 feed in 75 feet of water. I finally surmised that the fish holding at this level would be very hard to get to, and when suspended like this they are usually not in a feeding mood.
The next problem was that to reach these fish with my jigs and no bottom structure to follow was near impossible, although down rigging or trolling would preset my bait at a better level, if they were not actively feeding it was again a tuff sell for these walleyes. What is needed in a situation like this is a slow presentation of the lure or live bait. What I needed was a bait delivery system that would consistently put me at the right depth and slow enough to keep the bait in the strike zone for a long time, so as to tease them into action. I also wanted to be able to make long casts to allow long drifts through these suspended walleye schools.
I decided to give a slip-bobber a try; it’s simple and deadly when used right. Most anglers don’t use this walleye technique enough it works. The slip bobber, slips up and down the line from your hook to a bobber stop you set for the desired depth. I needed to get the bait down 25 feet; with the slip bobber the stopper you use to set your depth is so small that it will pass through the rod guides and onto the reel without no problems at all. And if you find your depth is not quite right you simply move the stop up or down.
Now with the slip bobber controlling my depth accurately, I was able to drift my bait (live bait, jigs, and plastics work well) right through these schools of walleye at nose level, also able fish very slow giving these finicky walleyes lots of time to make up their minds about having a snack. It was a large school of walleyes and the result was a couple of hours of super walleye fishing.
If you think about it slip bobbers can be used with your favourite live bait for walleye fishing. Either a plain hook or jig tipped with a minnow, worm or leach can be fished in the same way for precise depth control. Plus slip bobbers are not restricted to walleye fishing. They are great for all sorts of fishing, when conditions call for depth control, long distance casting or a really slow presentation. I have used them for trout and salmon in rivers, and even on bass in small clear pools where a long cast and slow movement is needed. I have taken a lot of nice bass from under and alongside the numerous swimming rafts and docks around different lakes I have fished and used this method quite successfully. These tactics also work great around bridge pillars, piers and supports, and weed lines, and dams. By casting so easily and smoothly they are great for kids, they love to see the bobber twitch and disappear.
Once you start walleye fishing and any other species, you will likely find all sorts of situations where they will be the answer to speed and depth control. Pick up a couple and try these tips, you will not regret it. Just go fishing!
Jack Phillips
http://www.articlesbase.com/sports-and-fitness-articles/walleye-fishing-finicky-suspended-fish-54959.html
Posted on Aug 12, 2010 under walleye bait |
Old School Walleye Fishing Family Secrets
Walleye fishing reels – Walleye Fishing Tackle For Success!
You will be selecting your walleye fishing reels based on what your walleye fishing technique. Anglers who regularly use several fishing techniques during a day of fishing often include in their walleye fishing tackle, three or four combo rod & reel outfits, each set up different with lures or live bait setups.
The following recommendations will help you chose the correct walleye fishing reel to go with your selected walleye fishing rod.
For good sensitivity and casting performance , your reel must balance with your rod. Make sure you match your walleye fishing lure, walleye fishing jig, and walleye fishing live bait weights with the correct line recommendation walleye fishing reel, and walleye fishing rod combination when setting up your walleye fishing rigs. For example, if you attempt to use a reel intended for 12 – to- 20 pound line with a rod designed for 4 to 8 pound test the outfit will be butt-heavy.If to much weight is present on the butt of the rod,casting becomes extremely difficult, and your wrist snap (which propels your lures and bait rigs when casting)will be severely limited. Also being over weight in the butt of your walleye fishing rod will dull the rods sensation when getting a bite. You need to have a great deal of sensation in your rod if you want to catch anything. One of the most important part of your walleye fishing tackle should be a matching rod and reel combinations for all your different walleye fishing techniques.
When selecting a Spinning reel, look for the following features:
#1 A rear Mounted drag.
#2 Make sure the reel has a skirted spool of adequate size to hold at least 100yards of line.
#3 A bail with strong spring tension. If the bail does not close all the way, the line will ride on the bail itself rather than on the roller. When you attempt to set the hook, the bail will open up enough to line come off of the spool. Some of the best spinning reels have a spring on each side of the bail.
#4 A free-turning bail roller. The roller must must turn when the line passes over, If it does not, heat and abrasion will damage the line and may wear a grove in the roller.
#5 Interchangeable spools. These spools snap into the reel, enabling you to quickly change to a different weight of line or type of line, or to replace a half empty spool with afull one.
If you are looking to add more options to your walleye fishing tackle, make sure when you pick a walleye fishing baiting casting reel you take a very close look at the backlash mechanism. The Backlash resistance is the most important feature of a bait casting reel. Bait casting reels are sometimes used as a walleye fishing reel for some fishing techniques, for example when trolling for walleye. The backlash mechanism should be made of a magnetic or centrifugal brake system to make sure you have a good backlash resistance. A high gear ratio is not a requirement for walleye fishing because fast retrieves are seldom needed. A gear ratio of 4:1 is usually adequate. Some bait bait casting reels also come with interchangeable spools.
Although most experienced walleye fisherman frown on spin casting gear, it remains a favorite among many anglers. If you purchase a spin casting reel make sure it has a smooth drag and a reliable line pickup mechanism. Unless the line is taut, the mechanism on a cheap spin cast reel often fails to pick up the line when you turn the handle.
mark fleagle
Posted on Aug 12, 2010 under ice fishing walleye |
Located in New York’s north country, the Adirondacks is an area where natural beauty abounds and countless recreational pursuits await to entertain visitors of this pristine and majestic region. Whether you want to soak in the splendor of a stunning mountain range or explore all of the Olympic-sized adventures that Lake Placid has to offer, the Adirondacks have everything you need for a memorable and enjoyable vacation getaway.
Situated in the Adirondack Mountains and overflowing with attractions relating to the Olympics, Lake Placid is the perfect place to enjoy the great outdoors and soak in a little history. While the Olympic Center, home of the 1980 “Miracle on Ice,” is the training center for world-class hockey players, ice skaters, and speed skaters, visitors have the opportunity to lace up their own skates for an evening on the ice or tour the 1932 & 1980 Lake Placid Winter Olympic Museum to see exhibits and equipment used by champion athletes.
Those who want a more interactive experience around Lake Placid can venture to the Olympic Ski Jump Complex and watch daring ski-divers glide through air while the truly adventurous ride the elevator up to the platform for a first-hand look at the jump’s extreme height. Other possibilities for excitement await at the Olympic Sports Complex where thrilling bobsled rides, complete with an experienced driver and brakeman, and cross-country skiing on world class trails are available for those who are up for a challenge.
With more than 3,000 lakes and ponds and 2,000 miles of hiking trails, the Adirondacks region is the perfect place for an all-season getaway. Head out on a hiking expedition where unparalleled views of the forest, lakes, and mountains is a common occurrence; set your compass for a kayaking expedition through whitewater chutes or over serene ponds where wildlife is typically within sight; or journey to Lake George or Lake Champlain for a fishing adventure in search of walleye, trout, northern pike, and numerous other species. No matter what kind of warm weather activity you have on your itinerary, the Adirondacks are always an accommodating host.
When snow falls on this picturesque region, a day of exciting adventures is waiting at the expansive and visually stunning Adirondack Park. Snowmobiling across the Moose River Plain or over the challenging Tug Hill Plateau is a favorite attraction while cross-country skiing on the scenic trails is the perfect way to soak in the breathtaking winter landscape on remote and demanding hills. With such easy access to a beautiful mountain range, however, skiing is always the most popular winter activity and visitors can head to the Gore and Whiteface Mountains for the downhill thrill of a lifetime.
Also located within the Adirondacks and renowned for its healing mineral springs, Saratoga Springs is the perfect jumping off point for a visit to the Saratoga Spa State Park. A National Historic Landmark, the park boasts cultural venues such as the Saratoga Performing Arts Center, the National Museum of Dance, the Gideon Putnam Hotel, and the Spa Little Theater in addition to traditional recreational opportunities. Whether you want to snowshoe or hike on its stream-side trails or view its many informative and interesting attractions, this park is the perfect cap to an invigorating and relaxing vacation.
To realize the perfect retreat no matter what time of year you plan to visit, consider Adirondacks cabin rentals for your accommodations needs. Surround yourself with the breathtaking beauty of the lakes and mountains of the region all while making it easy to head out for an exhilarating hiking, fishing, bobsledding, or skiing adventure whenever the call of the outdoors becomes too much to ignore. Begin your search for the perfect Adirondacks vacation rental today and experience a soothing mountain getaway with all of the comforts of home at your fingertips.
Jen W.
http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/adirondacks-vacation-retreat-80665.html
Posted on Aug 12, 2010 under ice fishing walleye |
Can you believe it? March is just around the corner, and in about a month the hearty Lake Erie fishermen among us will be venturing out for a little walleye action. Their bait of choice: a large, colorful hairy jig tipped with a fat emerald shiner.
The spring jigging season on the big lake is getting enormously popular. Just five years ago only a daring few could be spotted on the just-thawed water. Nowdays, it seems that everyone wants to give it a try. And why not? It’s easy fishing. Just tie on a jig, add a minnow and drop it to the bottom and give it a little twitch every now and then. A limit of winter-sluggish walleye generally is only about an hour away on most days.
Really, the only tough part of this fishing trip is the wind-chill. So it is imperative not to underestimate it. When I urge fishermen to dress warmly, that’s exactly what I mean. Dress as though you are going ice fishing with insulated boots, bibs and a goose down , windproof outer layer. You can always take a layer off if the sun shines. Nothing will spoil a trip of this type quicker than a bone-deep chill. And even if you don’t like coffee, take it anyway.
Ice-out walleye fishing on Lake Erie has gained a lot of attention in the last few years. So much so that anglers from all over the upper-Midwest are flocking to the Port Clinton area starting in late March and early April. Especially visible are anglers from Minnesota, south Dakota , Iowa and Wisconsin.
Their lakes at home are still ice covered but here in Northern Ohio, spring arrives weeks earlier. For them, it’s a nice jumpstart on the fishing season and most are just a day’s drive away even while pulling a boat.
All of the Lake Erie jigging action takes place in the shallow Western Basin from Port Clinton to Toledo and up and around into Michigan waters. Even if you only have a small boat don’t despair because the jigging usually takes place in water depths of 8-15 feet. We’re talking less than a mile from shore. But some of the action takes place around the reefs.
Because we have a lot of unsettled weather this time of year, the actual number of fishing days available is always the big question. Obviously, the best days come with a light, southerly wind and plenty of sunshine,. Clean water is a definite plus but it doesn’t always happen as windy conditions keep the water stirred up and off-color.
There really are no techniques to learn for this type of fishing. Many fishermen will either drift through the fish or they will anchor once they find a productive spot. I suppose if there is
one recommendation to make it’s this: keep plenty of jigs handy. These areas are rocky and can eat up a dozen lures quickly.
Also, keep the lure and minnow moving, but jig slowly. The water temperatures will still be hovering around 38-42 degrees and the walleyes will be sluggish from the long winter under ice. The best areas are from the Davis-Besse power plant to the Maumee River at Toledo. There are many launching areas along Rt. 2 and small marinas where you can tie up the boat for a few days.
The bait shops have been pretty good about offering fishing reports. My advice is to check some of them out and get phone numbers to call before making the trip either on a charter or your own boat. Here are a few:
Bill’s Lake Erie Bait, Curtice, OH 419-836-7117 ; Butch and Denny’s, Curtice, OH, 419- 836-7351 ; Edgewater Bait & Tackle, Toledo, OH 419-727-8380 . Go here for a complete listing of shops and launch ramp facilities: http://www.thenaturalresource.com
Capt. Tony Denslow
http://www.articlesbase.com/fishing-articles/iceout-jigging-for-lake-erie-walleyes-738279.html
Posted on Aug 12, 2010 under ice fishing walleye |
Some of the best crappie fishing lakes still manage to remain a bit of a secret to the majority of anglers, mostly because those who have discovered these fine locations for finding an abundance of large crappie do not wish to share their good fortune. However, guides and scouts have dug up some of the dirt on these excellent locations for crappie and other panfish.
Santee-Cooper in South Carolina is one of these crappie fishing lakes that does have a rather large claim to fame the world record panfish weighing 5 pounds 7.5 ounces was caught here. Check out the creek arms and their miles of brushpiles, where two-pounders are fairly common. The lake doesn’t freeze, and the relative warmth of the lake year round makes crappie in this lake grow quickly.
There are eight great crappie fishing lakes in the Valentine Refuge in Nebraska, if you don’t mind the shallows many of these are only about five feet deep. This area is great for ice fishing, where you can find green weeds poking up through the ice and simply drill around them, coming up with some two-pound specimens even in the dead of winter. In fact, because these waters are riddled with weeds, crappie find excellent cover here.
Lake St. Clair is actually fed by St. Clair River which connects Lake Huron to Lake Erie and the Detroit River. However, because most anglers focus on the muskie and walleye in this shallow, unrecognized Great Lake, the fact that it is one of the best crappie fishing lakes in the country goes unnoticed. Of course, despite the excellent opportunities on the American side, there are even greater prospects in the bays on the Canadian side of the lake, where shallow basins and weedy bays abound. Winter ice fishing should concentrate on the shallow green weedy areas.
John Kerr Reservoir, or Buggs Island Lake, on the borders of Virginia and North Carolina, produces trophies for size and number of crappie. It’s not unheard of to find black crappie over four pounds and white crappie over five pounds in this 49,000-acre lake. Obviously one of the best crappie fishing lakes based on statistics, you’ll find large 2- and 3-pound slabs during prespawn spring months and shallow bites starting in mid-March.
If you like having your space, make a trip to the 114,000-acre Sam Rayburn Lake in Texas. Crappie here average between 1 and 2 pounds, with lots of larger specimens swimming around. Look for big rolling flats around 12-14 feet that are covered with hydrilla; this will be your best bet for finding a large school of crappie. As one of the largest crappie fishing lakes in the nation, there is plenty of opportunity for catching your fill here.
Daniel Eggertsen
http://www.articlesbase.com/sports-and-fitness-articles/locating-the-best-crappie-fishing-lakes-99832.html
