Fishing was excellant yesterday. The crappie have moved shallow in force. I fished Saline Bay. Caught a easy limit fast. I went ahead and tried more areas releasing my catch. The crappie were every where. All fish caught on a chartuse and blue tube. The crappie were in 1 to 2 feet of water. Going to try again Thursday but the winds are predicted at 20 to 25.
Aubrey

Had a decent week last week, but the majority were males. Has that changed? The pattern for me was grass. If you had grass and wood that was good. Blk/chart., pink/blue, white/red, jigs. Didn't seem to matter.

I had 11 nice females and 5 very large males..

Thanks, I'll be out as long as I can Thurs. to see if the females followed up those bucks. I've been used to 20-30 mph's. The slip bobber with a sail, covers more water and no action with the rod is required.

What ramp/launch site would you recommend for a first timer to the area? I usually chase the spawners at Rayburn but with the cost of gas now something closer to home is better.

With the many different launch places on Palestine, it depends where you live to get the closest one. Get you a lake map at Porters or WalMart and start fishing the big lake and you may not to back to Rayburn, like you said especially with the price of gas now. Aubrey will keep you posted what kind of water to fish.

Appreciate the information. I moved here to E. Texas (live on Palestine), and am really trying to get out and fish this year. Haven't found much time other than my own cove area - but will start venturing out to the other parts.

I live 'across the lake' from the Villages.

TT- If you're across from the Villages, you are really close to good fishing. Flat Creek can usually produce good numbers of crappie, as can the timber north of the Villages. On the eastern side, there are plenty of productive areas. Like Joe B. said, get a map. Palestine is a good lake of you take time to learn it.

On another note, I haven't been able to get out this week, but did well last week. Gonna give it a go all weekend, though. See you out there.

Managed a few yesterday. The wind was pretty bad even fishing the protected banks. All fish caught in grass, 1.5 - 2ft of water, pink/blue tail 1/8th. oz. jig, on a slip bobber rig..


outdoor-addict

Palestine campgrounds offers a little more protection from main lake winds and there is decent fishing in Highsaw and Ledbetter. Plus the hybrids and sandbass are active. My 2nd choice would be Flat Creek Ramp, great fishing in that area also. Our you can buy a map.

I use the Smith Co. ramp off 155 at Dogwood City. Good area to fish with a ok boat ramp.
Aubrey

thanks for the info, will find a map and try to place the names mentioned. I usually use Shirley Creek Marina on Rayburn, are the public ramps on Palestine safe to park. I don't mind paying to launch in exchange for peace of mind. Could ya'll point out unsafe areas to run from your suggestions? thanks again.

Smith 2 and Flat Creek are public ramps and free. I've always been a little apprehensive at Smith 2 and Flat. Never personally had things happen to me but I quit using them after I heard a few things. But this time of year there is lots of traffic and it is less likely to be bothered with as in the winter.

You can run anywhere from smith 2 to the main lake. You might be careful in County Line creek. From Flatcreek, if you go under the bridge I strongly suggest you idle everywhere. Palestine campgrounds, if you watch all the boats now, they are running through places you wouldn't dream of 5-10 years ago. Coming from under the bridge its best to travel on the left side going to the main lake. In Highsaw and Ledbetter behind the bridge there are plenty of stumps and it doesn't take long to get anywhere in there at idle. Takes longer with a 1/2 a motor.

Let me know where you decide then PM me and we won't bore everyone else.

Is there any decent bank fishing on Lake Palestine besides the bridge area?

A freind on mine was just telling me they were bass fishing and catching crappie left and right. I might have to make a trip if we get a nice day.

Not much. the upper neches river water authority doesn't care
too much about recreation on the lake and they own the land
upto elevation 355 around most of the lake. They did
build a little fishing dock at the deep end ramp. If they
really cared , they could open up the old campground for
bank fishermen. However if they did that , some one would trash it and ruin it for everyone else.
There is some good fishing downriver from the dam, but they
close those roads when it gets muddy . ( 4x4's tear up the
roads)

MO