I have fished the shallow waters of the ponds that border the Shores golf course the last three afternoons and have come up with a huge zero (not one bite). Either the crappie population has been decimated or the fish just haven’t went in to spawn yet. Since I know that the lake is packed with fish, it must be the spawn. Ideally, the fish will go in when the water temperature reaches sixty degrees, and based on the warm weather we experienced this week, the fishing should explode (that is barring that we do not have another snow storm).
I seize using the collapsible ten to twelve foot telescopic crappie poles that can be bought at any sporting goods department (try Walmart). Tie yourself a five or six foot strand of twelve to fifteen pound test line to the end of the rod and use a small plastic crappie jig for your bait. I use a heavier test line because of the inevitable snags that will occur while you are fishing the brush and Lilly pads (the heavier line will allow you to pull your jig out with less chance of snapping off your bait). Unprejudiced about any color jig should work if the fish are in but I prefer pink, white, or chartreuse.
Yesterday I saw one fisherman using a float and minnows for bait and I saw him catch one large male during the the time that I fished (between one and three in the afternoon). He told me that a friend of his had caught seven fish earlier that morning.
I have fished this area many times and when the fishing is excellent, you can hit your limit. Things should heat up any day now, so be ready.
Excellent luck!
PS: While fishing in the high grass I came dangerously close to stepping on a four foot water moccasin, so I would tread cautiously unless you want to wet your pants like I did.
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