Something strange has been happening this summer, something I haven't seen much of the last few summers I've been down here on Cedar Creek. We're actually catching good amounts of summer time crappie! Whether it's the cooler nights, or just the overall milder summer, I'm not sure. What I do know is that comparatively speaking, this summer has been treating us better than any before.

Right now we're finding most of our fish in 12-20ft of water. Saturday I found some fish as shallow as 7ft, but most we're deeper. Although I will say, the big fish were in that shallow water. We're hitting brush piles just like we always do, catching the aggressive fish then moving on down the line after a few minutes with no bites.

The fish right now are being caught on Thump Chubbys, in the White Hot and Iridium Flare. We're rigging these baits on 1/16th and 1/8th ounce unpainted jig heads, with #4 bronze sickle hooks. For these thicker bodied baits, I like to use a hook with a keeper by the jig head instead of the usual plain shank. I think small jigs in less aggressive colors are ideal right now (blue, white, purple, clear). Minnows are catching fish too, but I haven't noticed them working any better than artificial lures.

Thump Chubbys in Iridium Flare and White Hot (www.constantpursuitoutfitters.com, will be on the market soon)


As far as technique goes, I'm having customers drop to the bottom, and lift their bait 18-24" up off the lake floor. I prefer they hold the bait still for 5-7 seconds before easing it down to the bottom again. The other method we're using is to pitch the bait past the pile, and let it glide back towards the boat, ideally just a few inches above the pile as it swings through. The jigs we're fishing have a lot of wobble to them, making them quite tempting to the crappie below.

Fall will be here soon, along with cooler weather and even better fishing. Our lake is only four foot low right now, so I would be willing to bet we're going to have another great October and November. Weekends are filling up already, but with four full timers now, we can usually get you on a boat and on the water. With good hunting and huge black crappie coming into the boat, the upcoming months will be heaven on earth to me. I hope to see ya'll there!



Here are a couple of recent photos from the last few weeks. If we fish for 4-5 hours, we should catch somewhere between 25-35 keeper crappie, based on the last couple of weeks. As October gets here, the crappie should go bonkers.

right on!!! can't beat that. Nice job guys.

Great report Lane. Those Thump Chubbys look awesome.

Awesome post and looks like happy customers also! Great job Lane!

interesting baits there sir
and lots a BIG CRAPPIE on them there missions
KABOOM

Nice Lane! I'm looking forward to fishing the Chubby's more. AND, can't wait to get back to CC in October.

Like them Thump Chubby's

Looks great Lane!
Baits and happy clients!

WTG

Gonna head there on Thursday ....
Thanks for the report..

Cedar Creek will always be one of my favorite lakes for crappy fishing. Since moving to arkansas I really do miss dock shooting, do you guys still shoot docks, I haven't been on the forum for awhile and didn't know.

Those are some nice Fatties Lane

They kinda resemble your new Thump Chubby

cool beans...

Awesome Post! Good job.

Wow way to go! And those new baits look awesome!