Is the crappie bite on??

[hootowlbend]

Is the crappie bite on??

I will be going to the lake of the Ozarks next week. What is the story? I was there 10 days ago , and they weren't biting much then. I'll bet they are going good now. Mick

 

[TKE381]

Re: Is the crappie bite on??

Re: Is the crappie bite on??

In Oklahoma, typically ahead of the Ozarks by a week or two, the crappie are just now making their beds. I caught several nice males today. The females should be up in the coming days (weeks in some areas). I'd say, in the Ozarks, look for staging areas and fish those if the shallows are slow.

 

[hootowlbend]

Re: Is the crappie bite on??

Re: Is the crappie bite on??

Ok thanks tom. I'm going next week. I'll let you know when I get back. The bite should pick up soon.

 

[farginicehole]

Re: Is the crappie bite on??

Re: Is the crappie bite on??

At the risk of getting you all going with a bunch of jokes at my expense, how can you tell the sex of crappies? I mean, other than seeing that there are no eggs when you "take their sides" (with the filet knife, of course!).

 

[TKE381]

Re: Is the crappie bite on??

Re: Is the crappie bite on??

It's not fool proof, but the females during the spawn usually have a red underside to some extent. The males are usually a bit thinner and the females are fatter. This is all up to debate, but that is what I go by.<br /><br />Now my beagle Harley can tell. She doesn't like the males. If she sniffs out crappie, they will always be females.

 

[TwoWatt]

Re: Is the crappie bite on??

Re: Is the crappie bite on??

Uh oh. A crappie sniffing dog. I'll start the bidding at $1000...<br />Who needs a fish finder when ya have that. <br /><br />Does "Harley" leak oil ? <br /><br /><br />To stay on topic. I've had good luck so far here in Indiana. We aren't talking lot's of fish but enough to keep me happy. I haven't kept any yet... too lazy to clean 'em. <br />They've been in 7-10 feet outside the weedbeds that didn't die off over winter. Caught on fish-n-spin spinners & minnow/small red hook/bobber. <br />I've bought SO many 1/32 feather jigs over winter I need to start using them.... but the regular hook has been working....<br /><br /><br />Good luck everyone. <br /><br /><br />(and don't keep what you don't need)

 

[NathanY]

Re: Is the crappie bite on??

Re: Is the crappie bite on??

Male black crappie turn dark dark purple during the spawn females do not. I dont know about white crappie.

 

[farginicehole]

Re: Is the crappie bite on??

Re: Is the crappie bite on??

No takers on sexing crappies jokes??? ha ha ha<br />Now if you can just get Harley to jump in and go retrieve them for you. . . .

 

[TKE381]

Re: Is the crappie bite on??

Re: Is the crappie bite on??

I actually have to tie Harley in the boat. Sho tries to go in after them.

 

[hootowlbend]

Re: Is the crappie bite on??

Re: Is the crappie bite on??

Well I just got hame from the lake near osage beach. The crappie were biting good . I cought all I wanted in two or three days. I cleaned about 40 or so. They have a 9 in. limit. I didn't catch many under that, most 10 to 12 in. Then it got cold and rainey. so that was the end of my trip. I was there for the big flw outdoorworld terniment. The big boys cought some limits. I'm glad I wasn't trying to catch bass. there were over 200 boats in the first 2 days. Then they went to 10 boats in the last 2 days. quite a site. ps. I didn't think much about seeing if they were boy or girls.Most of the ones I cleaned didn't have any eggs in them. They may have alredy layed them.???????

 

[fireman57]

Re: Is the crappie bite on??

Re: Is the crappie bite on??

The females are the ones with their mouths open and the males are the ones aggravating her while she is trying to cook supper.