I've been off work starting the 23rd and have fished almost every day. Mostly short trips between spending time with family visiting for the holidays.

Water temps were 60 - 62 degrees, air temps in the 70s

The most consistent pattern were main lake brush piles in 20 - 22 ft, although I found a couple spots that were hot in 12 fow Other than a quick experiment, I only fished with a ghost minnow thump chubbie on a 1/8 oz pink jig head. Most fish were released, I think I kept 26 total.

16 - Dec 23rd for 2 hour morning trip
16 - Dec 24th 2 hour morning trip
15 - Dec 26th 12 in 3 hour morning trip, 3 in 2 hour afternoon trip while also looking for white bass
27 - Dec 28th 4 hours morning trip
32 - Dec 29th 18 in 3 hours morning, 14 in 1 hour afternoon
8 - Dec 30th, 2.5 hour morning trip
25 - Dec 31st, 3 hour morning trip
22 - Jan 1st, 2.5 hour afternoon trip

Total 161 crappie, a few white bass, 3 catfish and one 5 lb hybrid. 2 crappie were a little over 15" and just over 2 lbs. 2 or 3 more where 1.8/1.9 lbs.

Me with first 15", 2 lb crappie:


2nd 15", 2 lbs crappie on the scale


5 lb hybrid



Kept a few for a fish fry:

Solid post and solid fish. Good job.

Nice report! WTG.

Awesome

Nice post, nice details and nice fish!

Ken

have you tried any of the bridges ? also have you ever tried smoking a hybrid in mesquite wood? IT IS AMAZING. cut the blood lines out first, rinse the fillets in salt water. season with chile powder, garlic salt, lemon pepper. whatever u like,
then make a little pan with heavy aluminum foil, put a little real butter in the bottom of the pan, (kerry irish gold} is my favorite, then grill it.

I haven't tried the bridges but I've heard some of the guides say they have been productive. I tend to avoid the bridges just because of the noise.



I don't usually keep hybrids but that does sound like it would be amazing -- I'll give that a try sometime. We cook crappie once per week and once in a while we will blacken it in butter instead of frying it and it's really good. I've heard that in the coldest part of the winter you can target big hybrids with livescope suspended over creek channels. Might have to give that a try and keep one to try smoking it.

also have u tried making crappie crabby patties with Zattarains crab cake mix? if u havent its amazing!! put fillets in a food processor and finely chop, add some fresh finely chopped green onions,, "or chives" for the pros, and finely chopped white onions, then mix it all in a big bowl with the Zattarains mix...
make patties abt the size of burger patties make a depression in the center of the patty so the heat works to the edges.. . fry in 350 F oil till they float on top. you can make and freeze the patties for later use. I like to wrap a patty in a leaf of lettuce and eat it like that or on french bread with mayo and katsup. a side of fresh cole slaw goes well with this dish. were cooking some up for dinner today., a real treat!!

I do this too, great meal.

I bring a pot of water to boil with salt and liquid Zatarans crab boil. Turn heat off remove from heat and put my crappie filets in their for 30 minutes to absorb flavor. Then make crab cakes with them, they will crumble.

Nice job! I don't think I've ever caught a 2 pounder off CC Lake. It's sure a fun lake though!

I need to find those brush pills. Good fishing

Mike do u know how to fish ?

Ron have you considered doing some guiding? you seem to have alot figured out on that lake for a wintertime pattern. . I would sure hire you.