Crappie feeding shallow

[Illinoisgiller]

I joined my older brother on Sat. for some Crappie fishing at his "pet spot" . I wish I could narrow it down a little more ,but it is his spot, not mine. It is a section of Mississippi backwaters, well hidden in plain sight. ;) We had a great day in the unseasonable 70+ degree sun. We were fishing about a foot deep in 2' max of water. We took home 41 nice crappie after a lot of sorting. These were not pigs by any means, but nice ones. The largest were about 13" but nice, healthy fish. I tried a lot of different baits. Minnows on a Mr. Crappie Cam Hook"2 seemed to be the best. Squirmin Squirts red & white also produced well. The brisk wind got to be a hassle at times, but the beautifull day made up for it .We were fishing from bank. Hope all had a great weekend. :D Mike

[Schoe]

Mike, sometime after the first of May I will take you to my Crappie hotspot on the Mississippi and you can show me how the minnow looking flys you make will work on them. Schoe

[Illinoisgiller]

Schoe, Yesterday, I left my test fly out to show my brother, and left it in the Jeep.:mad: I'll be returning with it and more for the grand test. I want to tie a few on a larger gap hook anyway. I have the proper materials now and looking forward to tying up some different color patterns.:D
Sounds like a plan to me. Mike

[gofish]

illinoisgiller seems crappie were hitting pretty good for you too. glad you got on a mess.

[Screen]

Ya! it was 70 here yeaterday and I here the crappies were hitting but I had to work like today (overcast about 40) but got to get out soon!
Illinoisgiller could you post a pic of your new designs or is top secret yet!

[Illinoisgiller]

Colbyjack- No fish dinner today for me.;) I left all the fillets at my brother's place. I had gills twice this week already.:D I Would eat them every other day If the wife would let me. ;)
Screen, there is a pic. of the type of fly I'm working with on the fly and jig tying forum . (Fly Tying sub forum.)
I would imagine that it would be much simpler to use other proven baits, but I do enjoy working at the tying vise sometimes. Mike

[wewamohawk]

i wish i knew how to tie flys ilike to fly fish i only been doing it for two years i get some real nice fish with a fly rod the mohawk

[gofish]

wewamohawk you can get started fairly cheap and books with pictures are available. when i started years ago i had one that had a picture for every step.helped me a lot.illinoisgiller is better than i ever was though.have a hard time with small things.broke all my fingers at least once and they dont bend like they used to.

[Illinoisgiller]

wewamohawk, Find a fly tyer in your area and have him show you how to start a thread(simple) , and most important, how to whip finish.
Now, Do not get caught up in buying a lot of supplies you MAY need someday. lol Been there done that!!!! I've got a feather supply that would envy many and seldom use. (groan) Buy the flies you want to use and only get supplies you need.
Example- When I started looking for supplies to tie the "Crappie Candy" I beat the web to death to find fly tying floresant wool body material. I found it and when it came it was no more than embrodery thread- With something like 10 per cent wool. lol
If there is a fly tying group in your area ,by all means go to a tying session and you will meet a great group of tiers. Most all are very, very, understanding of newcomers and very anxious to do the -here I'll show you how I do it - thing lol
There is a saying that when you start tying keep a coffee can handy. When a fly just doesn't come out right, throw it in the can. When you finally get the flies to come out as perfect as you think you can, leave your fly box at home and go fishin. Take the can, they are the ones that will catch fish. lol
All to often we try to tie jigs and flies that catch people, not fish. BUT, hey it's all in fun. !! I talked to a jig tier that ties 1,000s of jigs. His tying vise is a small 3" bench vise. He said it is handy surface to set his hand on while tying. :D Mike

[bryophyte]

Mike, I sure would love to see the "minnow looking flies" referenced by Schoe. can you please post one o r more pics of those flies. I would just love to catch a crappie on a fly that I made. bryophyte

[Schoe]

If the Giller don't have any pictures I will have my daughter take some of the ones I have and post them. Schoe

[Rainman4u2]

So, you often sell many of those flies???? :D Looking to get the old fly rod out here in a week or two and start hitting the crappie and gills.

Ray