If you're still thinking about where you want to go for your first crappie fishing trip of the year.......you may be missing out on some of the hottest fishing you're gonna see this year. On Sunday 3/16, my friend Ernest Paty and I fished Cedar Creek expecting to dodge the rain all day. Instead, we had one of the more beautiful weather days on the water that you could ever hope for. And as for the crappie fishing.....one word........GREAT!!!! We were fishing jigs 12-18 INCHES deep. I know that depth is expected later in the season, but believe me folks, they're there. The key is warm water. Warmer is definately better at this time of year. I brought home 20 fish that averaged well over a pound, out of about 40 fish caught. And oh yes....for the bass fishermen; we caught about a dozen largemouth bass on crappie jigs, up to four pounds. Bottomline....if you're waiting for the crappie to start biting, you're missing out on some great fishing.

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Guy Skinner
"aguyintx"

NOTE FROM ERNEST:
WE WERE USING A SMALL FLOAT ABOUT 12" ABOVE THE JIG.
FOUND 72 DEGREE WATER IN AN ISOLATED CREEK AREA. FISH WERE TIGHT TO COVER. CATTAILS, WEEDS ETC.

[This message has been edited by ERNEST PATY (edited 03-17-2003).]

Gskinner,

Wow, I must have done something wrong. I was at Cedar Creek yesterday and did terrible!! Where were you fishing at? I tried most of the bridges off the highway but didn't do very well. Man, if I met you yesterday I would have swap something with you for a crappie or two. Oh well, I'll have to try again when I get a chance.

God bless and fish on!!

Hey Big Fish,
We were at the north end of the lake in a small creek area. Water was muddy with 65 degrees in the morning and 72 in the afternoon. Fish were "tight" to cover in about 18" of water. There were gar all over the place, and so were the crappie and bass. There were other people in the area, but they weren't catching anything. Guess it was the way we were 'holding our mouths', cause we got 'em good. The north end of the lake is a lot muddier than further down the lake, so I would stay up there if I were you. Better luck next time.

Gskinner,

Yeah, we were fishing Kings Creek and the bridges along the highway and didn't do any good. My buddies and I were doing alot of trash talk'n though about who's gonna catch the biggest fish and we end up missing a couple of bites. Oh well, I'm sure we'll do better next time.

Take care and fish on!!!

In January we made about a dozen crappie condos and put under the dock. Well it looks like it paid off.... Between last night and this morning have caught 22 nice slabs. Caught a lot of dinks also but they seem to be getting bigger. This dock in about six foot of water and the fish are holding tight to the bottom. Small minnows working better than jigs.

Just thought I would mention this because the docks I think should be heating up all over the lake by now. That is unless its just the crappie condos drawing them in.

Good luck to all and keep the Cedar Creek reports coming.....



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I fish..... Therefore I am!!!

BROTHAB, ARE YOU ON CEDAR CREEK? WAY TO GO WITH THE CONDOS.

ERNEST

way to go! outstanding

Yes we are on Cedar Creek in clear creek cove just a little past dry creek on scenic drive.

The weather changed a lot yesterday and we only caught 5 last night and Zilch this am. I love Texas but the weather will drive you nuts sometimes! I thought about going out and trying the bridge pilings but the wind is supposed to pick up so bad I probably wont attempt it.

Ernest have you been catching any the last few days? If so where?



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I fish..... Therefore I am!!!

Brothab i think i may be close to you. I am in the clear creek cove also. The weather did change a great deal as well water temp dropped at least 10 degrees. Not a good week for weather. But it will level out soon.(hopefully)
MattH

Cool MattH maybe we can go fish together sometime after this weather straightens up... At least I got to catch a few before it changed.

brothhab & MattH - I'm on Clear Creek also. Across from the ski school on the South side in Moonlight Bay. I'll be down this weekend.

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steve pine

I fish CC quite often for the hybrids and sandies and crappie only from the docks. I have never been North of the bridge by Big Chief. If I wanted to go North to the feeder creeks and coves, where is the best place to launch a center console? Are the creeks accessible with a center console (at least to get there and then walk)?

SUNDAY WAS GREAT.

SINCE THEN IT HAS BEEN VERY BAD. WATER TEMP IS DOWN 12 DEGREES AND FISH HAVE LOCKJAW.

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GOOD FISHING.


ERNEST
"I LIVE FOR THE THUMP"

Ill be there this weekend as well. I will be running juglines for cats. When the crappie turned off we set out juglines and caught 17 blues up to 18lbs :}

Spine if you are across from the ski school then we are really close. My parents place is I believe the fourth house to the left of the ski school. There is a flag flying at half mast on the dock and a ski boat covered up and a fiberglass party boat called a "Funship" hanging under the dock. We also have some friends right close to you on that side of the cove.. Johnnie and Debbie Precour, sound familiar? Anyways if your out on the water and see us give us a shout.

RD-- There are several places along 198 that you could launch from. Which is best I couldnt tell you. As far as getting into the creeks you should be able to go a pretty good ways up most of them. There is a spot in Clear Creek called Dry Creek that gets down to about 1 to 3' with lots of stickups and grass that I am planning on trying for the crappie as soon as the water warms back up. Last weekend that water back there was about ten degrees warmer than the rest of the lake. Yesterday is was only one degree warmer after that cold front. Good luck!

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I fish..... Therefore I am!!!

well fish are still there but they have moved a bit deeper ,deep in the weeds. wading has been the easiest way get your limit but the rocks has still produced a few. lacy creek is heating up if you have a boat and the same creek is also full of sandies and hybrids right now. work the areas fast once you find the location they are in fish it slow since i have found this week if you catch one in a spot you can catch several there, they seem to be bunched up in little areas so fish till you catch one then slow down, leave come back later and catch some more. good luck all


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[This message has been edited by marktx (edited 03-22-2003).]