Eichleberger Crossing

Has anyone ever heard of this? It is near Waco and people around here say it is good crappie fishing but can't ever explain where it is. Does anyone know if I could launch a kayak near it? What lures or baits are good for this area?

You can launch a kayak there but it is not easy. There is a dirt road (adjacent to the paved road) that leads underneath the bridge but it is extremely heavily rutted - like 2 foot deep ruts! Also, it is a pretty good walk to the river carrying a kayak - about 50 yards of very rough terrain. While a kayak cart will help you will have a hard time navigating it over the ruts.

However, once to the river it is a very good launch point. Reasonably firm bottom for footing and very gradual slope.

Crappie fishing is very good near the old bridge pilings adjacent to the "new" bridge. The only problem will be the number of people. Most sit on the bank or the remnants of the old bridge and throw popping corks with minnows and jigs. There are often so many people there that you feel like a target sitting in your kayak. You will get the feeling that the non-kayak folks feel like you should fish somewhere else since you can and they don't have the option.

However, you can easily fish upstream and downstream and around the brush piles they bank and bridge crowd cannot reach.

I have caught plenty of whites on the North Bosque (the river that Eichelberger crosses) but further upstream from the crossing itself. The whites should start up in the next few weeks. Water temps (as of 2/3/19) were 49 degrees. My experience has been that until the temps climb into the 50's and stay there the white bass run will be very slow at best. Again, once it starts the river will be packed There will be plenty of fish for everyone but be prepared to feel like you are in Dallas at rush hour.

Once the whites start you can just about throw your car keys at them and they will bite. I have had my best luck with lures like Road Runners, Rapalas, and jigs. I like to troll with my kayak with a Rapala (almost anything shiny will work) that runs about 3 to 4 feet deep at my normal paddling speed which is 2 - 3 mph.

Finally, if you are also a fly fisherman the white bass run is pure fun. Clousers are all you need with a sink tip to get down to 3 to 4 feet. Kayak to a gravel bank and be prepared for a lot of action.

Good luck.

Very good info above. It gets ridiculous at that spot and there are lots o fish up and down from there as stated. The area around the South and Middle split has easy access off Barrett Rd and 84. It can be just as productive as the North.