09-25-2019, 10:29 PM
[#0000FF]So far I have not seen any sonar that would show spots, stripes, scales, whiskers or other definitive ID on fish "marks". The best you can do is rely on your personal knowledge and experience...of the water and the species...to make semi informed guesses.[/#0000FF]
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[#0000FF]Crappies are generally considered to be a schooling fish. And they are, whenever their numbers are great enough that they can find enough others to hang with. But the ratio of water to crappies in Willard is such that many of that species show up as singles or a loose assortment of several random marks at mid depth within a generalized area. About the only times I have witnessed anything close to a school is during the spawn...late April into May.[/#0000FF]
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[#0000FF]The marks I am guessing to be crappies are about mid-size...compared to larger and smaller marks of other fish. And they are usually from about 5-8 feet deep over deeper water. However, I have caught them right near the bottom and also very near the top. Depends on what they are eating and how active they are.[/#0000FF]
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[#0000FF]I have been fishing crappies in Willard since the late 1970s. Before the advent of wipers and shad, crappies were the greatest biomass in Willard...with huge numbers of all sizes to be found almost anywhere in the lake. But you could ALWAYS catch them close to the dikes...almost all year.
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[#0000FF]One thing that has been true of Willard Crappies through all the changes is that they slow down and go for smaller offerings when water gets colder. And they also like stuff suspended...either by vertical jigging or under a bobber. So if you can find an area with crappies in it, put out a rod with a small jig...tipped with worm, gulp or other sweetener. Hang it about 3-4 feet under a bobber to start...and lower it about six inches at a time until you get bit. Remember, crappies look up to feed. If you are fishing below them you are not fishing...just wishing. But they will rise a couple of feet or more to take something above them if it looks good and smells right.[/#0000FF]
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[#0000FF]If you use a bobber, don't use the biggest old red and white one you can find. Small and sensitive is better. When crappies are picky they simply swim up to a jig, suck it in and then spit it out. No chomp and no pulling the bobber under. Sometimes there will just be some small rings spreading out from the bobber. Other times it will lean slightly to one side, or move two inches in one direction. If there is any change in the force, set the hook. Hooksets are free.[/#0000FF]
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[#0000FF]Right now you can do well with white or minnow colored offerings. As the water gets colder, change up to chartreuse...with hot red head or spots. And if you can find wax worms, they are wunnerful for late season crappies under a bobber. Just like ice fishing without the ice.[/#0000FF]
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[#0000FF]But, to lend credibility to your other statement, about some of the suspended fish maybe being cats, that is entirely possible. Some of the cats I filleted today had small shad in their innards. And I know that cats will come way up off the bottom to feed when there is food available. My biggest cat today...a skinny two foot long male...took a blue and silver flig...tipped with a small white gulp minnow. I had it riding about 3-4 feet above the bottom, hoping for a crappie. But NBC.[/#0000FF]
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[#0000FF]Crappies are generally considered to be a schooling fish. And they are, whenever their numbers are great enough that they can find enough others to hang with. But the ratio of water to crappies in Willard is such that many of that species show up as singles or a loose assortment of several random marks at mid depth within a generalized area. About the only times I have witnessed anything close to a school is during the spawn...late April into May.[/#0000FF]
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[#0000FF]The marks I am guessing to be crappies are about mid-size...compared to larger and smaller marks of other fish. And they are usually from about 5-8 feet deep over deeper water. However, I have caught them right near the bottom and also very near the top. Depends on what they are eating and how active they are.[/#0000FF]
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[#0000FF]I have been fishing crappies in Willard since the late 1970s. Before the advent of wipers and shad, crappies were the greatest biomass in Willard...with huge numbers of all sizes to be found almost anywhere in the lake. But you could ALWAYS catch them close to the dikes...almost all year.
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[#0000FF]One thing that has been true of Willard Crappies through all the changes is that they slow down and go for smaller offerings when water gets colder. And they also like stuff suspended...either by vertical jigging or under a bobber. So if you can find an area with crappies in it, put out a rod with a small jig...tipped with worm, gulp or other sweetener. Hang it about 3-4 feet under a bobber to start...and lower it about six inches at a time until you get bit. Remember, crappies look up to feed. If you are fishing below them you are not fishing...just wishing. But they will rise a couple of feet or more to take something above them if it looks good and smells right.[/#0000FF]
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[#0000FF]If you use a bobber, don't use the biggest old red and white one you can find. Small and sensitive is better. When crappies are picky they simply swim up to a jig, suck it in and then spit it out. No chomp and no pulling the bobber under. Sometimes there will just be some small rings spreading out from the bobber. Other times it will lean slightly to one side, or move two inches in one direction. If there is any change in the force, set the hook. Hooksets are free.[/#0000FF]
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[#0000FF]Right now you can do well with white or minnow colored offerings. As the water gets colder, change up to chartreuse...with hot red head or spots. And if you can find wax worms, they are wunnerful for late season crappies under a bobber. Just like ice fishing without the ice.[/#0000FF]
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[#0000FF]But, to lend credibility to your other statement, about some of the suspended fish maybe being cats, that is entirely possible. Some of the cats I filleted today had small shad in their innards. And I know that cats will come way up off the bottom to feed when there is food available. My biggest cat today...a skinny two foot long male...took a blue and silver flig...tipped with a small white gulp minnow. I had it riding about 3-4 feet above the bottom, hoping for a crappie. But NBC.[/#0000FF]
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