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Thread: Clearlake crappie

  1. #11
    Join Date
    Jul 2017
    Location
    California
    Posts
    111

    Default

    Fish are away from shore now. Closer to shore (spin cast distance, or fly rod) by mid-March. IMO late March-April is best; my club uses pontoon boats then. USE A FLAG to warn bass boats who like to fly by at 40 mph or more.
    Last edited by McFish; 01-21-2022 at 12:57 PM. Reason: spelling

  2. #12
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    Fair Oaks
    Posts
    277

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    Went again Thursday. The water was low vis but it seems that way every time I go. The water temp was 47 -49. Used my fish finder and never did see a school all day. The guide came by at one point and I asked him if he saw any schools, he said it was a tough morning so far. He was covering a lot of water with three clients. I pretty much stayed where I thought fish might eventually come by. I focused on staying around 13’ deep and fishing my indicator midge rig at 3 and 6 feet. Had another set up with a white balanced leech set at eight feet. I stripped the rig with slight pulls and pauses. I know my white balanced leech was the right color and size since the guide boat had a client throw over my line and while untangling the mess I saw his terminal set up. All in all it was a day of fits and starts but a beautiful winter day. I eventually did get 11 chunky crappie and got home in time to do some volunteer work in the evening.

  3. #13
    Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Location
    Petaluma Ca
    Posts
    686

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    We fished Sat and Sun afternoons getting double digit bags each day.
    The schools are REAL small, only generally producing a large speck on the sounder and hard to see on side view. We like to drift when not too crowded, but anchor when traffic dictates. We toss white sparkle buggers or colors of the hour...fishes' choice. One rod gets a sinking line set up (type ll this w/e) and one get a bobber (indicator) set up so that boredom can be alleviated somewhat.
    Most of your high scores are produced by users of "live scope" or such sonar allowing them to follow the extremely small schools. I'm sure you saw your guide (Ed?) and others wandering around and thru boats focusing on their "TV's" with the electric motors.
    All fishing beats the couch and crappie are fun to figure out....even when there are just a few.
    ....lee s.
    Last edited by lee s.; 02-07-2022 at 12:33 PM. Reason: ?

  4. #14
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    Fair Oaks
    Posts
    277

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by lee s. View Post
    We fished Sat and Sun afternoons getting double digit bags each day.
    The schools are REAL small, only generally producing a large speck on the sounder and hard to see on side view. We like to drift when not too crowded, but anchor when traffic dictates. We toss white sparkle buggers or colors of the hour...fishes' choice. One rod gets a sinking line set up (type ll this w/e) and one get a bobber (indicator) set up so that boredom can be alleviated somewhat.
    Most of your high scores are produced by users of "live scope" or such sonar allowing them to follow the extremely small schools. I'm sure you saw your guide (Ed?) and others wandering around and thru boats focusing on their "TV's" with the electric motors.
    All fishing beats the couch and crappie are fun to figure out....even when there are just a few
    .
    ....lee s.
    You’re right Lee, it was Ed. I don’t have live view so it’s a pick your likely spot anchor and hope they come by me. Your day sounds like a good one for the few numbers of fish in the schools.
    I think the herd was thinned out last year with so many meat eaters.

  5. #15
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Location
    Sebastian, FL, USA, Earth
    Posts
    23,810

    Default

    Some years ago when I worked at the bait shop in West Sacramento a Crappie Chaser told me that when they caught a fish, they would hook a bobber to it and turn it lose. It would go back to the school and they would follow the bobber.


    I think it might be illegal?
    Bill Kiene (Boca Grande)

    567 Barber Street
    Sebastian, Florida 32958

    Fly Fishing Travel Consultant
    Certified FFF Casting Instructor

    Email: billkiene63@gmail.com
    Cell: 530/753-5267
    Web: www.billkiene.com

    Contact me for any reason........
    ______________________________________

  6. #16
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    Fair Oaks
    Posts
    277

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Bill Kiene semi-retired View Post
    Some years ago when I worked at the bait shop in West Sacramento a Crappie Chaser told me that when they caught a fish, they would hook a bobber to it and turn it lose. It would go back to the school and they would follow the bobber.


    I think it might be illegal?
    So many ways to catch or find fish. It’s fun thinking out of the box. I love fishing!!!!!

  7. #17
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Grass Valley
    Posts
    90

    Default livescope

    Quote Originally Posted by lee s. View Post
    We fished Sat and Sun afternoons getting double digit bags each day.
    The schools are REAL small, only generally producing a large speck on the sounder and hard to see on side view. We like to drift when not too crowded, but anchor when traffic dictates. We toss white sparkle buggers or colors of the hour...fishes' choice. One rod gets a sinking line set up (type ll this w/e) and one get a bobber (indicator) set up so that boredom can be alleviated somewhat.
    Most of your high scores are produced by users of "live scope" or such sonar allowing them to follow the extremely small schools. I'm sure you saw your guide (Ed?) and others wandering around and thru boats focusing on their "TV's" with the electric motors.
    All fishing beats the couch and crappie are fun to figure out....even when there are just a few.
    ....lee s.
    Interested to see if anybody here uses livescope for crappie and bass? Pricey but if it works could be a real game changer.
    I fly fished clearlake with Ryan 2 years ago and he hadn't heard of it.
    "I never saw a fish I didn't want to catch"

  8. #18
    Join Date
    Sep 2011
    Location
    East Bay
    Posts
    679

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by dave earl View Post
    Interested to see if anybody here uses livescope for crappie and bass? Pricey but if it works could be a real game changer.
    I fly fished clearlake with Ryan 2 years ago and he hadn't heard of it.
    Now there’s the 360 instead of just side scan.

  9. #19
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Grass Valley
    Posts
    90

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Rossflyguy View Post
    Now there’s the 360 instead of just side scan.
    I figured something new is out since livescope is on sale
    "I never saw a fish I didn't want to catch"

  10. #20
    Join Date
    Feb 2019
    Location
    Stockton
    Posts
    267

    Default

    I installed Livescope on my boat a few months ago. Wouldn't want to fish without it. It's very popular with serious crappie fishermen and they are some of the best at using it. It is different tech than Hummingbird's 360. Livescope only shows you what the forward facing transducer is pointed at. The image is truly live and active fish will show up as a bright blob on your screen moving exactly as the fish does. You can even see the turbulence from an active fishes fins. I'm still learning it and there is a lot that goes into dialing it in.
    And of course, just because you can see them doesn't mean you can catch them. There's been plenty of times when they follow a bait to the bottom and just stare at it or swim off. Frustrating.

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