Labman, Chickamauga, Crappie, 5/19/2010, Solo

[FishNews]

Hadn't chased any crappie for about a week, so thought I would scout around and see what was happening. I started out of CFP and hit a couple of deep water bluff areas. 1st crappie was 13", and good way to start the day. The water was up and moderate current. Some docks were not fishable due to the high water. It was lowering all day. After picking up several fish on the bluff areas I tried a couple of deep docks that I could fish. Caught a few nice fish on each one. I really didn't fish them hard as I wanted to try several different places to get a pattern established. Leaving the docks I tried a couple of open water structures and they also held fish. Common idea was deep water, 15-30 feet with the crappie suspended at different depths, but mostly an 8-12 count. Water temp was around 76 today.<br /><br /> Best bait today: can you say Blue Thunder BG Shad and a few on Bluegrass BG Shad. I even caught one on Gene's Cajun Crickett BG Shad, but it was small so retired the crickett. Caught fish at every place I tried, was going to try another bluff, but a boat was there when I went out this morning and same boat still there when I came in so I imagine they were on fish there. Ended the day with 46 Crappie with only 11-12 smalls, all the rest nice fish from 11-13.5". I need another lesson from Drumking or Hal on how to get those Tarp Crappie in the boat. I am stuck on 13 1/2, lol. All fish returned to the lake.<br /><br />Now my fish story, I was reeling in a decent crappie from a dock near the Nuke Plant and a very large fish (I think a striper) hit it and knocked the crappie in the air and made a huge splash. Scared me to death as it hit right at the boat and really surprised me. I have had that happen with muskie and northern pike, but not a striper. It was exciting anyway. Sorry I didn't get a pic of the big fish, lol.<br /><br />Regards, Labman