@brennanbanks4611 All great questions. Answers: 1. 6-8 feet. 2. I'm in the river, not the main lake. 3. The fish are on brushpiles, so if you don't have a depth finder you are fishing "blind." Doesn't mean you won't get lucky, but a depth finder is a significant help.
@SmoothOpX Ha! You are too kind. I made the whole "healthy" bread" business as a joke for my wife; she loved it too - because the sandwich was tasty but anything but healthy! There's four of these early January "Float N Fly" crappie vids. I think you'll enjoy the last two; and I'm posting the 3d one of the "series" today. Best wishes.
@TheKiketag I understand completely. Part of the reason I went crappie fishing was the whole cabin fever thing, plus the weather was nice in early Jan. Thanks for watching!
@winkiedoodles don I have actually never fished specifically for crappie with anything but live minnows. I just started crappie fishing in the last 18 months or so. I love crappie fishing tho. I am going to try and video Sunday if I can get out. I am going to bass pro in a couple hours to look at things and get some supplies to fish more. How much video har you got from lake Springfield you are going thru?
@rollabulldog Don't worry about not knowing much. Every excursion is a learning experience anyway. I can't say for sure how much video (in terms of gigabites) I'm working with. There's a great deal more to producing a video than just pointing and shooting with a camera, but if you get into this "sport" you'll soon figure that out. Best wishes out there!
@winkiedoodles don have you tried not using the attractant? Are you keeping the crappie you catch? I think I'm going to go Sunday. Do you think I could get away with just using 4# test line but use the same lures? How long of a tippet are you using?
@rollabulldog Patrick, No, I just tried it and it seemed to work so I didn't stop. Yes, I'm keeping the 10"+. You'll see how I'm measuring in another video (still working on two more vids). Sure, 4 lb test & same lures should work fine. The water is fairly clear and crappie tend to be line-shy. The average leader length from cork to bait that I've been using is from 6 - 8 feet. Don't be afrait to try your own ideas. I have new ideas emerging, too.... Oh, and have fun! Don
@Winkiedoodles ....No, I know the two brothers who own it, The customer service is outstanding and thats not something you get at Big box sporting stores. Dont get me wrong I shop all around and will never turn down a sale..... But my go to place for bait and tackle is Bills, Gotta keep the local tackle shops open by supporting them, if not it will be our loss in the long run. :) I like to give em a plug every once and while.
@crappiekilla2796 Sounds great. You've probably noticed I do some "plugging" from time to time, also in the same spirit. Hope Bill's continues to do well. Don
@bloodknot101 I bet you chuckled at those teensy little flies; certainly not striper caliber! Sandwich would have been better with some pepperoni and another layer of sausage and cheese....... :)
@Winkiedoodles not at all Don - I've been skunked my last times out so I am delighted to see fish being caught on any size fly, lure etc... good work and agreed on the sandwich - could have used a thick layer of hog scrapple, some chunks of butter and more cheese - get it together next time... PUNK!
@bloodknot101 Hog scrapple, butter chunks and limburger cheese? Now that's an amazing coincidence and you must be psychic.....I've had those very ingredients thawing in the garage for a week or so just waiting the bread to get a nice mold bloom. Can't wait for the next trip to the lake! :) Don
@winkiedoodles don it looks like lake Springfield is the place to be for crappie in janurary. I'm hoping this snow they say we may get melts by Sunday. I was planning on getting the boat out and fishing. Do u recommend any other fish attractant that I can get at bass pro? I plan on getting the mega strike but it won't be here if I go out Sunday. Great job. Who would of thought of lake Springfield in janurary. Bet you had he lake to yourself.
@rollabulldog Well, Patrick, I'm thinking the winter crappie "season" probably starts when they disappear from the main lake and isn't confined to only January! I don't know what to say about attractants; I just brought mine as an experiment. With zillions of crappie; it would be interesting to drop at the railroad bridge..... You deserve credit for planting the winter fishing at L. Springfield "seed." The crop is coming in nicely!
@NWanglerz Adam, I guess crappie are pretty much everywhere. Surely there's somebody that fishes for them instead of trout or salmon up there, right?.......Bueller......Bueller.......Bueller........ :) Seriously,I'd say that if you have crappie around, there will be some larger ones in the school(s) if there's a good food source.
@BillGoudy Bill, as you know, fish are brain food. Having said that, isn't it obvious that I've never had a fish sandwich? :) Now, for the truth, Brenda and I both love crappie, and I give some to friends and family to enjoy, too. My favorite table fish are walleye, crappie, and green sunfish.
@Winkiedoodles Don ,I am with you. Only I would add to the list: catfish and carp and drum and smaller bass and..... I think you get the picture!!! I like it all!!! Not shad or mooneye. but they make good bait!!! Stay safe my friend!
@fishingforfood1 Thanks, FFF! There's zillions of crappie that migrate from the main lake (where I couldn't find them) to places upstream in the river like the one I'm fishing.
I love fishing for Crappie with a flyrod and those little yellow/white trout tubes. They are too light to cast with regular spinning gear, but are great fun on the flyrod until you get one hooked in the back of your ear! Good vid Don!
@ajlures Right on, John. I think the main reason for my excessive (impulse buyer syndrome) collection of tiny tubes is because I haven't used them much. They are very difficult to throw with "normal" gear. The Fishing Muse has apparently penetrated the aluminum foil on my head with inspirations like "why not use a tube with your Float-N-Fly rods?" With the weighted corks, the casting distance problem is no longer an issue! Ear hooking will always be, of course (ha). Don
@adamitshelanu Ha! Who said I was unbiased? I ordered some soft plastic Mega Bugs from MegaStrike last year, they worked great, and I've been "hooked" on MegaStrike ever since! Don't ask my why I was inspired to take their attractant with me on that Float-N-Fly excursion; it just seemed to logical to see if it would provide an edge in the winter. I'm trying to keep my sandwich ingredients and Fish Attractant separate...its getting harder to do...... :)
Man! You really got into 'em, Don! You're really makin' me hungry! It's great to see ya out on the water enjoyin' such a beautiful day! Happy fishin' to ya, my "Very Healthy" friend!
@OutdoorsmanByDesign Thanks, Matt! This was a fun day considering the mostly sunny weather; I think they bite better when overcast. I hope folks don't get too bored with the other 'Crappie Expo' videos I'm working on. It isn't easy to make basically boring crappie fishing interesting. The numbers don't matter since they are smallish fish anyway; I have one day's fishing footage with 40+ crappie in a few hours but will try to cram all that into around 3 to 5 minutes!
I never get bored watchin' your videos, Don, but I know just where you're comin' from. I'm sure folks got bored with my Young Buck Club vlog entry, but that was some of the best footage I've gotten of deer & I wanted to share it. I, too, like to keep the upload length at a minimum, but it really can be quite a chore to do so, at times.
Don you are the man! and a man after my own heart! haha same sammiche's...same jig's! where did you buy those though? and the scent? I usually use the el cheapo's from wally world, plus the powerbait tube jig's they're like 5 for 2 buck's & work great on bass,crappie and bluegill also(I know you don't have much but) they're great for ice fishing! what was the title of that vid. with the fat boy's? haha I could use a gut buster laugh right now! thanx for another gr8 video! see ya later agitator!
@gregoir Let me tell you, Greg, it has been a lot of fun since I found the location of those Crappie. Even with a few hours (normally) to fish they have been very cooperative. Well, the feather type fly/jigs came from Bass Pro and I think the manufacturer is Predator. The crappie squirts probably came from Wally; I just have a bunch of every squirt in existence. The fish attractant is made by MegaStrike and it is sold on-line or in tackle shops. More crappie stories will be coming!
@fishingmaster13 Thanks! It isn't a Shimano; rather a Quantum "Bill Dance" ultra lite. Works very good, casts smoothly and has no problem with those monster 1 lb or less fish (ha).
Okay thanks a bunch....
brennanbanks4611 1 week ago
How deep are you fishing the fly? And what part of the lake are you fishing? Do I need a fish finder to catch these fish?
brennanbanks4611 1 week ago
@brennanbanks4611 All great questions. Answers: 1. 6-8 feet. 2. I'm in the river, not the main lake. 3. The fish are on brushpiles, so if you don't have a depth finder you are fishing "blind." Doesn't mean you won't get lucky, but a depth finder is a significant help.
Winkiedoodles 1 week ago
Where is the James River located at? Haha! And i heard there's gonna be a fish fry over at your house!! hahah!
fl4v0rfu11 3 weeks ago
@fl4v0rfu11 It runs from E to W and passes just S of Springfield, MO. Don't believe everything you hear......!
Winkiedoodles 3 weeks ago
My wife and I laughed so hard when you fed the crappie!!! Great video!
SmoothOpX 1 month ago
@SmoothOpX Ha! You are too kind. I made the whole "healthy" bread" business as a joke for my wife; she loved it too - because the sandwich was tasty but anything but healthy! There's four of these early January "Float N Fly" crappie vids. I think you'll enjoy the last two; and I'm posting the 3d one of the "series" today. Best wishes.
Winkiedoodles 1 month ago
its been a while since i've gone fishing. dang i miss it but haven't have much time. but oh well
TheKiketag 1 month ago
@TheKiketag I understand completely. Part of the reason I went crappie fishing was the whole cabin fever thing, plus the weather was nice in early Jan. Thanks for watching!
Winkiedoodles 1 month ago
@Winkiedoodles yea it was pretty nice here in Arkansas too but school and work can make a day seem to last for a couple of hours only
TheKiketag 1 month ago
@winkiedoodles don I have actually never fished specifically for crappie with anything but live minnows. I just started crappie fishing in the last 18 months or so. I love crappie fishing tho. I am going to try and video Sunday if I can get out. I am going to bass pro in a couple hours to look at things and get some supplies to fish more. How much video har you got from lake Springfield you are going thru?
rollabulldog 1 month ago
@rollabulldog Don't worry about not knowing much. Every excursion is a learning experience anyway. I can't say for sure how much video (in terms of gigabites) I'm working with. There's a great deal more to producing a video than just pointing and shooting with a camera, but if you get into this "sport" you'll soon figure that out. Best wishes out there!
Winkiedoodles 1 month ago
@winkiedoodles don have you tried not using the attractant? Are you keeping the crappie you catch? I think I'm going to go Sunday. Do you think I could get away with just using 4# test line but use the same lures? How long of a tippet are you using?
rollabulldog 1 month ago
@rollabulldog Patrick, No, I just tried it and it seemed to work so I didn't stop. Yes, I'm keeping the 10"+. You'll see how I'm measuring in another video (still working on two more vids). Sure, 4 lb test & same lures should work fine. The water is fairly clear and crappie tend to be line-shy. The average leader length from cork to bait that I've been using is from 6 - 8 feet. Don't be afrait to try your own ideas. I have new ideas emerging, too.... Oh, and have fun! Don
Winkiedoodles 1 month ago
great vid
HamBrosOutdoors 1 month ago
@HamBrosOutdoors Thanks, guys. Always better when the fish cooperate, isn't it! Tight lines.
Winkiedoodles 1 month ago
Great vid....As always entertaining funny and chalked full of fish. Keep em comin.
crappiekilla2796 1 month ago
@crappiekilla2796 Thanks, much appreciated. Do you own Bill's bait shop there in Ontario?
Winkiedoodles 1 month ago
@Winkiedoodles ....No, I know the two brothers who own it, The customer service is outstanding and thats not something you get at Big box sporting stores. Dont get me wrong I shop all around and will never turn down a sale..... But my go to place for bait and tackle is Bills, Gotta keep the local tackle shops open by supporting them, if not it will be our loss in the long run. :) I like to give em a plug every once and while.
crappiekilla2796 1 month ago
@crappiekilla2796 Sounds great. You've probably noticed I do some "plugging" from time to time, also in the same spirit. Hope Bill's continues to do well. Don
Winkiedoodles 1 month ago
nice work Don - good looking sandwich too!
bloodknot101 1 month ago
@bloodknot101 I bet you chuckled at those teensy little flies; certainly not striper caliber! Sandwich would have been better with some pepperoni and another layer of sausage and cheese....... :)
Winkiedoodles 1 month ago
@Winkiedoodles not at all Don - I've been skunked my last times out so I am delighted to see fish being caught on any size fly, lure etc... good work and agreed on the sandwich - could have used a thick layer of hog scrapple, some chunks of butter and more cheese - get it together next time... PUNK!
bloodknot101 1 month ago
@bloodknot101 Hog scrapple, butter chunks and limburger cheese? Now that's an amazing coincidence and you must be psychic.....I've had those very ingredients thawing in the garage for a week or so just waiting the bread to get a nice mold bloom. Can't wait for the next trip to the lake! :) Don
Winkiedoodles 1 month ago
@bloodknot101 OK, Ok, ok. So, I forgot to mention the secret layer of goodness on this upcoming lunch special creation: raw shad.
Winkiedoodles 1 month ago
nice
RRMartain 1 month ago
@RRMartain Well, it is snowing right now, so the ability to fish and catch anything in the winter months is always nice.
Winkiedoodles 1 month ago
your getting into em
TheC4ranch 1 month ago
@TheC4ranch Thanks, Chris. Can you build me a "crappie trap"? :) Don
Winkiedoodles 1 month ago
@winkiedoodles don it looks like lake Springfield is the place to be for crappie in janurary. I'm hoping this snow they say we may get melts by Sunday. I was planning on getting the boat out and fishing. Do u recommend any other fish attractant that I can get at bass pro? I plan on getting the mega strike but it won't be here if I go out Sunday. Great job. Who would of thought of lake Springfield in janurary. Bet you had he lake to yourself.
rollabulldog 1 month ago
@rollabulldog Well, Patrick, I'm thinking the winter crappie "season" probably starts when they disappear from the main lake and isn't confined to only January! I don't know what to say about attractants; I just brought mine as an experiment. With zillions of crappie; it would be interesting to drop at the railroad bridge..... You deserve credit for planting the winter fishing at L. Springfield "seed." The crop is coming in nicely!
Winkiedoodles 1 month ago
oh how I wish we had crappie that size here! i'm sure we do, but not common.
NWanglerz 1 month ago
@NWanglerz Adam, I guess crappie are pretty much everywhere. Surely there's somebody that fishes for them instead of trout or salmon up there, right?.......Bueller......Bueller.......Bueller........ :) Seriously,I'd say that if you have crappie around, there will be some larger ones in the school(s) if there's a good food source.
Winkiedoodles 1 month ago
Don, I think you should’ve had a fish sandwich! That was some fine fish'n there Don!!
BillGoudy 1 month ago
@BillGoudy Bill, as you know, fish are brain food. Having said that, isn't it obvious that I've never had a fish sandwich? :) Now, for the truth, Brenda and I both love crappie, and I give some to friends and family to enjoy, too. My favorite table fish are walleye, crappie, and green sunfish.
Winkiedoodles 1 month ago
@Winkiedoodles Don ,I am with you. Only I would add to the list: catfish and carp and drum and smaller bass and..... I think you get the picture!!! I like it all!!! Not shad or mooneye. but they make good bait!!! Stay safe my friend!
BillGoudy 1 month ago
@BillGoudy Oh, Bill! Your comment reminded me of a "secret" ingredient for my next sandwich (see discussion with bloodknot101).....I forgot the shad!
Winkiedoodles 1 month ago
@Winkiedoodles YUM!!
BillGoudy 1 month ago
lol..i love it!..if ya catch em,ya catch em
KillAsrt13 1 month ago
@KillAsrt13 Thanks for the nice comment! It's been a lot of fun catching those rascals on light line and those limber rods.
Winkiedoodles 1 month ago
great job once again!
pelletgun12 1 month ago
@pelletgun12 Thanks, Mike! This is the 2d video in the January "Crappie Quadrilogy" so far. I think you'll like the next one up, too!
Winkiedoodles 1 month ago
nice crappies
fishingforfood1 1 month ago
@fishingforfood1 Thanks, FFF! There's zillions of crappie that migrate from the main lake (where I couldn't find them) to places upstream in the river like the one I'm fishing.
Winkiedoodles 1 month ago
I love fishing for Crappie with a flyrod and those little yellow/white trout tubes. They are too light to cast with regular spinning gear, but are great fun on the flyrod until you get one hooked in the back of your ear! Good vid Don!
ajlures 1 month ago
@ajlures Right on, John. I think the main reason for my excessive (impulse buyer syndrome) collection of tiny tubes is because I haven't used them much. They are very difficult to throw with "normal" gear. The Fishing Muse has apparently penetrated the aluminum foil on my head with inspirations like "why not use a tube with your Float-N-Fly rods?" With the weighted corks, the casting distance problem is no longer an issue! Ear hooking will always be, of course (ha). Don
Winkiedoodles 1 month ago
You used everything except the sandwich ingredients! What's up with that? We needed an unbiased comparison attractant. :^)
adamitshelanu 1 month ago
@adamitshelanu Ha! Who said I was unbiased? I ordered some soft plastic Mega Bugs from MegaStrike last year, they worked great, and I've been "hooked" on MegaStrike ever since! Don't ask my why I was inspired to take their attractant with me on that Float-N-Fly excursion; it just seemed to logical to see if it would provide an edge in the winter. I'm trying to keep my sandwich ingredients and Fish Attractant separate...its getting harder to do...... :)
Winkiedoodles 1 month ago
Man! You really got into 'em, Don! You're really makin' me hungry! It's great to see ya out on the water enjoyin' such a beautiful day! Happy fishin' to ya, my "Very Healthy" friend!
OutdoorsmanByDesign 1 month ago
@OutdoorsmanByDesign Thanks, Matt! This was a fun day considering the mostly sunny weather; I think they bite better when overcast. I hope folks don't get too bored with the other 'Crappie Expo' videos I'm working on. It isn't easy to make basically boring crappie fishing interesting. The numbers don't matter since they are smallish fish anyway; I have one day's fishing footage with 40+ crappie in a few hours but will try to cram all that into around 3 to 5 minutes!
Winkiedoodles 1 month ago
@Winkiedoodles
I never get bored watchin' your videos, Don, but I know just where you're comin' from. I'm sure folks got bored with my Young Buck Club vlog entry, but that was some of the best footage I've gotten of deer & I wanted to share it. I, too, like to keep the upload length at a minimum, but it really can be quite a chore to do so, at times.
OutdoorsmanByDesign 1 month ago
Don you are the man! and a man after my own heart! haha same sammiche's...same jig's! where did you buy those though? and the scent? I usually use the el cheapo's from wally world, plus the powerbait tube jig's they're like 5 for 2 buck's & work great on bass,crappie and bluegill also(I know you don't have much but) they're great for ice fishing! what was the title of that vid. with the fat boy's? haha I could use a gut buster laugh right now! thanx for another gr8 video! see ya later agitator!
gregoir 1 month ago
@gregoir Let me tell you, Greg, it has been a lot of fun since I found the location of those Crappie. Even with a few hours (normally) to fish they have been very cooperative. Well, the feather type fly/jigs came from Bass Pro and I think the manufacturer is Predator. The crappie squirts probably came from Wally; I just have a bunch of every squirt in existence. The fish attractant is made by MegaStrike and it is sold on-line or in tackle shops. More crappie stories will be coming!
Winkiedoodles 1 month ago
Nice winter crappie Don. I was just wondering what reel that is cause I have a shimano sedona which look a lot like it.
fishingmaster13 1 month ago
@fishingmaster13 Thanks! It isn't a Shimano; rather a Quantum "Bill Dance" ultra lite. Works very good, casts smoothly and has no problem with those monster 1 lb or less fish (ha).
Winkiedoodles 1 month ago