Crappie fished Fork for the first time ever on Labor Day. Got out just after the lightning subsided around 8:30 AM. Actually we didn't start crappie fishing until about 9:45 or so - started out fishing for bass in the first cove on the south side of Birch Creek. Threw a lot of buzz baits, Pop-R's, square billed cranks, spinners, rattle traps, etc but not even a hint of a bite from Bigmouth. We got poured on by the rain but it was a welcome site and cooled us off for the rest of the day. I thought it would have the bass biting (esp on top waters) with the overcast conditions but apparently not for me.

We went further up Birch Creek and fished that first bridge for crappie but struck out there. We went from pillar to pillar and soaked minnows at different depths but could not get bit. There was even a guy in a flat bottom (like mine) scooter type saltwater boat catching crappie 20 yards from us and we still couldn't catch em'. Even after he left we creeped up on his spot and still nada. We moved out to some standing timber on near the bridge (that I thought might be in the creek bed) and no luck. The depth here was 15 fow so I figured maybe they were suspending somewhere else in deeper water. I hit a couple of large clumps of timber out on the main lake in 30+ fow and tried fishing with minnows from 25 to 20 to 15 to 12 fow and no such luck. We tried one last time at the bridge between Axton's Bass city and Collins Landing (or whatever it's called) and had no luck there either.

In summary, 8:30 AM to 2 PM of hard fishing for crappie and bass and all we caught all day was one miserable little 12 inch bass while crappie fishing.

I think I might take up golf...

don't give up, they will pick up real good soon

Fork has been tough lately. Most places have been tough lately. By all means, golf, but don't give up on the crappie.

Just about everywhere has been tough... don't give up... give it about a month or so

But you weren't working, right? Stay after them!

seems lots of the lakes a tough this summer for lots of folks
don't let it git ya down ....
the fall bite is near
things should pick rite up ....
good report ...

If your going to fish Fork you will do much better if you locate brush piles in 20 to 25 feet of water. Early in the morning has been doing good, don't know about later in the day can't stand the heat.

Early morning on my piles has pretty productive last 2 weeks. Not huge numbers, avg about 22 to 25, but the size has been making up for the low numbers.

Thanks for the words of encouragement. I won't give up. I was just being dramatic. haha.

Heck, I would have been happy with just one or two crappie, 20 something would have been a dream.

I don't know of any brush piles other than the ones marked on my Navionics app on my iphone and I am not experienced enough with my fish finder in knowing exactly how to pin point those that are on the Navi app. It's much easier to locate bigger structures such as lake humps, etc. I tried to pin point one at Fork the other day but I wasn't sure if i was on top of it or not and my crew was getting a little impatient. Guess I just need to keep up the trial and error.

Time on the water Brocephus, Time on the water.

From Collins Landing (or whatever you call it) LOL
Come see us when the weather cools and we will get you on some crappie.

Mona Collins
903-456-1844