like the title says i have been searching for a boat i could afford and i finally got one, but now i dont know where to fish. im needing some guidance on where to go to catch some on either lake lavon or lewisville, my boat has a fish finder so im sure that will help, does anybody on TFF have any advice for a crappie beginner?

If you can swing it, hire a guide to show you around on one of the lakes that you intend to fish. Probably difficult to do since you just bought a boat. However, when you look at it in time vs money, you'll spend more money and time wandering around looking than you would if you hired a guide and took what he/she taught you and then went out on your own and was productive.

Lavon or Lewisville = Jerry Hancock http://www.NorthTexasGuideService.com

I believe Jerry is also running some afternoon specials right now.

Good luck.

I can point you in a direction on Lavon or Lewisville.
Find some timber in at least 15' water. I've been catching fish 10-18' deep suspended in deep timber. If you know or can find a brushpile in 15-30' water that will get you bit too. A black/chart or White/Chart jig is what I use.
Both lakes fish the same pretty much.

They will hold on horizontal limbs. Some trees have good limbs and some don't. You will usually only catch 1-3 per tree. Fish the tree good from 10' down to the bottom and once you catch a couple fish at a given depth. Remember that depth and fish lots of trees....

Bring your boat to Fork one weekend, we'll find some crappie, bass, cat spots.

awsome thanks for the tips guys, your right jeff i think i will spring for a quide when i get some more cash, seems to be the only way to go. in the mean time though i will try the timber as suggested and report back to let yall know how i did, thanks again

I am with you Jeff. It is a quick hit on the wallet to hire a guide, but what is gained in knowledge can be applied to future fishing trips.

AA,
A couple of trips in the new boat won't hurt anything. It'll give you a chance to adjust to it. It might be good to get that behind you first to help productivity for when you do hire a guide. As for guides, you can always split a trip with another TFFer to help save a little. I will also recommend Jerry (I've taken a trip on Lavon with him). He is very informative and really goes out of his way to help folks learn how to fish if you are open to input. That goes for guiding and online.

BTW, if you are new to Lavon, take it easy on windy days. I have a smaller boat and have to use a lot of caution.

Oldmerc

oldmerc - i agree with the caution on windy days my boat is a jon boat so its not the most stable in calm wind let alone windy days thanks for the warning and the advice when it comes time to hire a guide it will most likely be jerry, thanks alot

Though I don't own a boat (yet, and this is where you have the advantage this time of year), I think OM hit it on the head and will be what I do once I get my own boat.

Test run it a few times on a lake closest to you and get the feel of thing and how to maneuver. Then do the guide trip (done about 3 different guides on here and its very helpful), then go out on your own.

If you can afford it and it'll likely be something I invest in when the boat comes, is get a GPS, so you can mark any spots you find for future trips to save time looking.

Good luck to ya!

Eric

yea ive test run it a couple times now im wanting to night fish from it but im not sure where the best place to night fish would be from the boat, it would be hard to navigate through the timber and not hit anything with the motor, any one have suggestion of place good for crappie and safe to boat in at night?

My only advise would be - take me along and we'll limit. JJ I would love to go sometime but I am staying pretty busy w/ work right now. I like to fish the wind breakers out from the Texas Queen at night under the lights on Ray Hubbard.Right south of INT. 30. The pattern is always diffent but they are always there somewhere. 2-12 ft deep on gigs 1/32 or 1/16. I use a small crappie float but i'm sure you could tight line or minnow fish also. I fish at night out there and always catch some nice crappie. 2 Weeks ago we caught about 15 crappie kept half of them with one being about 1.5 lbs. Along with all the sandies and yellows we could catch. You will pick up some LMB too. Lavon and Lewisville this time of year my advise would not help!!Good luck! Ben

thanks crappiemagnet are you talkinng about the old texas queen cove at robertson park or the new place the moved it, and what do you mean by windbreakers?

Now go fish!

Sorry its been so long. Rgight south of 30. I think it is where they use to keep it. Windbreakers are basically floating cement walls with lights on them right outside the marina. Ben

thanks for the advice ben, i tried fishing the windbreakers at the marina tonight i caught one small crappie and alot of sandbass but i was only out there for about an hour and half, nice place to fish though ill try it again once the weather is more reliable, thanks again for the advice