Hello All,

This will be the first time (I think) posting in the crappie forum. I have always love catching the ones here, and there during the white bass run in the near by rivers, but I have never been able to catch a consistent stringer. I contemplated buying me, and my son a guided trip with Mr. Tidwell over on Granger Lake, to get the feel of catching a real stringer, but time did not allow it this year.

I did however make it down 2 days to fish the river below the damn, coming out of Mathis Lake. A buddy gave me a tip, and decided to try it, and it produced crappie limits on both days we went down. I didnt understand how the crappie were so plentiful beneath the damn, if the river ends up connecting to the bay, but I just guessed they came out from the water released from the lake. I released all but 5 to eat, mainly because i wasnt sure how plentiful they were, and 5 was enough for me. I have always loved crappie, and being in South Texas, they are hard to come by, unless you know what your doing, and know where to go, so needless to say I was hooked.

I did some research, and came to find out that Mathis Lake, is actually a pretty reputable lake for crappie. I then started looking for rentals to maybe take a trip there, and came across a deal of a lifetime. I was able to purchase a significant amount of land, that is 2 blocks from the water, and has a private boat ramp. I want to setup a fish camp, with some rentals, but Im ok with just a fish camp for now, just to have a place I can go crappie fish, when I retire.

I took the boat out to explore, and didnt really attempt to find crappie, as it was just a spur of the moment trip. I am used to fishing for catfish in choke, so I decided to run a few jugs while I was there. Using cut buffalo, I did not catch a single fish, which amazed me, but we caught several softshell turtles, and I believe I watched a few gar clean the hooks.

Now that I am trying to make more time to go out there, I am looking for any advice on the crappie fishing. I have heard that there are several guys in the area really know what they are doing, but I have not ran across them yet. I am not asking for honey holes, Im just trying to save some time in learning how to go about locating them. Also was wondering if green lights work out there? I was thinking about hanging a few off the boat at night, in one of the coves, or something of that nature. Any and all help would be greatly appreciated, and my boat always has an open seat to anyone wanting to help dial them in. I will also be having a small building built out there soon, so that I will have a place to stay when Im down there, and am willing to have that open to anyone willing to help as well.

I have a Lowrance Hook 5 with CHIRP on my boat, and any help with dialing it in for crappie would be great as well.

Any and all information, and tips would be greatly appreciated. Thank you, and have a Happy New Year!!!

Go to falcon lake or choke

Would you say those lakes are better than Mathis? Ive caught a few out of choke, but I they were random, while I was fishing the white bass run. I have seen some big ones caught out of there as well, but not sure on how to locate them. I was going to put an ad out to ask people for their christmas trees, so that I can sink them, and make brush piles. Ive never fished falcon before. How is the crappie fishing there? Thank you for responding. I was already starting to think I wouldnt get any help on here. I appreciate it.

sent you a pm

What does one need to do, in order to get some help? Do I need to join some texas crappie cult, or something? If so, just point me in the direction of the sign up list. I am joking of course.

Crappie guys don’t talk much, because the internet ruins a lake pretty fast. If there’s a bait shop around there, they’d be more inclined to help you.

PM sent

Hello Brent's Dad,

I'm not sure, but I don't think your pm went through. I am not seeing anything in my inbox.

I sent you another PM with my phone number