Friday, April 19, 2024
Michael Acosta
HOOD OUTDOORS
As a licensed professional fishing guide, Michael Acosta shows you how to find them. A Granbury resident of more than 35 years, he has been fishing all of his life, and has been a licensed guide since 1998.
Water temperatures in North Texas are rising slowly this year and the crappie will be making a late transition to the shallows for their spawning effort. Many crappie are still being caught in deeper water, but that is sure to change. Granbury boasts of a decent population of crappie as well as many other local lakes like Benbrook, Bridgeport and Proctor (just to name a few). Knowing their patterns will help you locate active fish.
In our area waters we have two species of crappie, namely the black and white crappie. Black crappie can get a bit larger than the white counterparts, but all are great eating. I believe the world record black crappie is around 6 pounds and the white crappie is around 5 pounds. If you catch crappie in the 2-pound range, you are on some big crappie. Crappie limits in Texas are 25 per person, per day and they have to be a minimum of 10 inches in length.
Crappies tend to relate to shade and structure and they prefer little or no current. In the spring these fish will move into real shallow water to spawn. When I say shallow, they can be in less than a foot of water. Locations in the backs of creeks with a lot of reeds can be a good choice. In the winter, these fish are best located near deeper structure.
Probably the best-known bait for spring crappie in the shallows is a small minnow fished under a cork. A 10-foot or longer pole is used by many to place their bait offering in the shallow structure. The best-known artificial bait for crappie is a multitude of small jigs. There are so many variations. White, green, and bubble gum are a few of the popular colors. You’ll just have to try a few different colors to see what they will bite.
Springtime crappie can be spooked in the shallows. I would be careful approaching the area you are going to fish and let your bait sit for a while especially if you think you may have spooked some fish. Crappie bites can be hard to detect at times depending on the size of the fish. It is recommended that you use a small float, which will sense even the smallest of movement. I have had days fishing for crappie that the only way that I could sense a bite was when the float would stop momentarily moving in the wind. The point here is to be alert for anything that looks different.
As many of our lakes are not full, spawning locations can be different. Look for shallow flats with some structure (weeds, stick ups, rip-rap, etc.) and you will likely find these tasty devils. Shaded areas under docks may be a great choice as well.
HOOD COUNTY FISHING REPORT
Water temperatures are in the upper 50s to low 60s due to the recent cool snaps. Temperatures will rebound quickly. Golden alga is still present in some areas, but many areas of the lake have improved. Hopefully this dreaded alga is ending. Crappies are moving up and can be caught in the shallows on jigs and minnows, some are still in deeper water. Largemouth bass are moving toward their spawning beds and are good on soft plastics and crank baits. Sandies are good on jigs, slabs and minnow fished in the river near Tin Top. Striped bass are being caught on live shad and Bass Assassins near Indian Harbor and near Sandy Point. Catfish action is good in the river above Hunter Park and near DeCordova.
Comanche Creek black bass action continues to be good on soft plastics worked near spawning beds. Power plant channel catfish catches are phenomenal on cut and prepared baits. Comanche Creek reservoir closes March 31 for the summer and will reopen in October.
Lake Whitney striped bass limits are good on live bait and Alabama Rigs fished from the state park north to Bear Creek. Sand bass catches are good upstream on the Nolan and up above Hamm’s creek. Possum Kingdom striped bass to 15 pounds are possible mid-lake on live bait.
michael.acosta@att.net | 254-396-4855
