[RonG]

I decided to get out just before sunset and maybe try for some bass. I found Golden Roach pond completely free of ice. Just 2 days ago, it was 95% covered with ice. :shock: I've never fished for crappies this close to ice out, wasn't expecting anything other than the skunk, but soon started popping crappies. The first one was about 10". It flopped off in the brush and flopped back in before I could grab it. Here's the first 2014 open water fish I got to touch.

Crappies of all many shapes and sizes came out to say they were sick of the ice too. Some were dandies.

My best early crappie go-to bait is a 1.5" white or pearl sassy shad. Hands down it will blow away twister tails and tubes which are great in about a month. I also found out today they love the sassy shads even as soon as within 48 hours of ice out. It also shows you down have to waste $$ on minnows if they will hit plastics this early.

I fished 45 minutes until I lost my only jig to the brush. It was about dark anyhow. 8 crappies were landed, getting one about every 5th cast. I'd have to say they were aggressive because every one that hit, made it out of the water. No missed fish.

Pretty much every place I saw has opened up. Pond of a Million crappies was ice free and another one that I even walked out onto the ice 2 days ago was completely open water. It's a great time to target crappies. I figure I have all summer to catch those big ugly green things when the crappies are scarce.

 

[Skifish1]

Get the crappies while you can (ie holding close to shore)....anything that mimics minnows. Light gear and line and have fun with it.

 

[George W]

Crappie are a cold water Fish if any! 8) When I use to ice fish I personally caught a few, inches from under the ice. Great stuff making the most of the opportunity! And beautiful Fish

Do you, or are you going to take a shot at inland trout?

 

[catchafew]

Impressive collection of crappie, nice work.

 

[red_mucilin]

Hush you know they only bite in May. I hate crowds while filling freezer....

 

[RonG]

Well, I went back this morning. The wind was unbearable. Honestly, you wouldn't be able to tell if a swordfish struck or if it was just the wind yanking your rod out of your hands. I did catch a couple...neither photoworthy. I understand a little breeze to give you some surface ripples to improve fishing, but I never did see much purpose in all the wind except to take our foul, toxic city air and carry it off to those who deserve it more than us.

Impressive collection of crappie, nice work.

Thanks! It was a bit of a surprise. 1) I headed out to target bass 2) This wasn't the place I was headed for 3) I've never caught open water crappies here 4) I left home with zero expectations fishing so close to ice out

Do you, or are you going to take a shot at inland trout?

Not me. I've pretty much hung that up. I used to go cause it was usually an easy limit of something to eat. I stopped because I got sick of the obnoxious ones in the hordes of line crossers. Plus they stopped stocking my lake (Deep Quarry) I think the last straw was when some jerk squeezed in between me and my young son who was right next to me. I said "Hey! I came here to fish with my son, not for YOU to fish with my son! Now scram!" He beat it, but it was unclear if he understood English.