Snow Days and Show Days
Happy 2025 ANGLERS!!! Let this year be the year where you set some goals and fish different structures, water columns, and bait options. Lake Shelbyville has had temporary ice at times earlier this year so be sure to check in with someone before you come. Call a friend, dress warm, use light weight jigs and come catch some SLABS on Lake Shelbyville. The structure bite is very good, and the open water is even better so play the weather and come catch some winter time and winter pattern crappie. Also, this is the start of the “fishing show season” and I will discuss a couple to consider attending.
First, I hope each and every one reading this takes a few minutes and try to come up with some goals to widen your fishing technique arsenal. I am going to mention a couple to consider and why/when to use that technique. Casting to crappie is something I do on each guide trip and clients fall in love with bite when crappie chases down that bait. Casting allows you to stay away from the schools and the structure without the fish knowing you are there. As the crappie begins to hold in massive schools on structure you can literally be fishing over a school of 250 or more crappie.
If the fish are holding above the structure and you can tie up a double rig you can really activate that school and many times catch two at a time. Next, while fishing the 6–10-foot water column I recommend everyone doing some set cork fishing. When fishing “pole timber” in that 6–10-foot water typically active fish will be holding around 3-4 feet below the surface. When you see some timber at the surface of the water, pitch your cork past it and work it back slowly and pause it close to the tree. Active fish in colder water take longer to commit at times and using that cork to keep your bait suspended in the strike zone is what it takes some days. “Strolling your bait” is the last technique I will recommend and why to use it.
When fishing a hot contour that has a good amount of either natural or artificial structure, leave your bait in the water between structures and catch those fish in that transition water. Many times, crappie holding away from structure are the more active and aggressive fish. Simply hold your rod tip to the degree that drags your line and be ready for a very bite. Also, by leaving your bait in the water you will catch fish that followed you pulled off of that structure. If you bring your bait out of the water between your structures many times you will have pulled it away from a crappie you could have had a good chance to catch.
Lastly, please consider changing up water columns, baits, and techniques faster each trip if the bite is not what you are happy with. Good luck out there to everyone with your goals for this season. I hope to reach mine!!!
Snow days are perfect for show days and the first one of the year, I hope everyone gets a chance to visit the ‘Let’s Go Fishing Show’ in Collinsville, Illinois on January 3,4 and 5. Along with a ton of vendors and exhibits I will be giving two seminars that weekend. The first will be on Friday afternoon at 4:00pm in the Mississippian Room and the second is at 5:30pm on Saturday in the Marquette Room. I will be discussing crappie fishing tips and tricks and fielding questions from the crowd again. The second show is the Grizzly Jig Show in Caruthersville, Missouri on January 31st. thru February 2nd. This show is the BIGGEST CRAPPIE SHOW of the YEAR!!!! From seminars to pros to meet with everything specific to crappie!!! Attendance is always around the 10,000 person mark so please check it out if you have the time.
I am booking trips for the year 2025 and have about 12 days left in April and May combined so please book your trips early and ensure your days. I would like to take this time and thank each and every client, reader, follower and those who gave referrals to my guide business, England Expeditions Inc. This next season I will be fishing from my 2024 Falcon F205. It has the Garmin 8616, Garmin 1243, 2 Helix Humminbirds with Power Poles and Crappie Brakes all to fit your needs for any type of crappie fishing. Please keep those young adults fishing because they are our next generation to keep this sport going!!! To book a trip please visit www.englandexpeditions.com or 217-520-3653.
