I always enjoy the fall of the year for angling since the fish tend to bite much better. The cool weather and frequent overcast skies oftentimes add up to a great fishing trip.
Some of you crappie fishermen probably have heard this time of year referred to as a "false spawn" which occurs when the crappie tend to come up into the shallows to feed just like they do during early spring. I’ve already received reports they’re biting really good on Lake Blackshear.
Dad and I have only been crappie fishing a few times in the past couple of weeks but we have had a little luck. I haven't been able to get out on the main lake because of the wind blowing but we have been under Smoak Bridge pitching jigs.
While we haven't been catching big numbers what we have been boating are quality crappie. And just the other day, dad hauled in a nice size striper that weighed around 5-6 pounds. You might think this is small for a striper but when you catch one on four-pound test line with ultra-lite tackle as he did you’ve got a pretty good fight on your hands.
Reports I’ve gotten from other anglers are that crappie are being caught at about the 12-15 foot depth range. It’s about 50-50 on catching them with jigs or minnows. I personally prefer jigs.
The best suggestion I can offer is ti try and find some type of structure that is around 15-20 foot deep and cast to it or use a minnow to entice those slabs.
Please be sure to read next week’s column. I had a friend send me some pictures of him and his daughter fishing in the mountains and I’ll be telling you about that and will have a picture if space permits.
In the meantime, with both the crappie and catfish biting well in these parts now would be a great time to take a kid out and show them the enjoyment of catching fish.
Until next time, may your catch be large and plentiful and may God bless you all.
Rusty Parker is a guest outdoors columnist for this newspaper. He may be written to at P.O.. Box 1058, Cordele, Ga., 31010.
Local Sports
Fall's arrival always seems to bring better fishing
- Local Sports
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No. 1 Knights await visit by No. 3 Wildcats in GISA Class A Final Four duel
As a first-year member of the Georgia Independent Schools Association and a school playing a full varsity slate for the first time, Bethlehem Christian’s baseball team has experienced instantaneous success.
Since launching the 2012 season with a 5-2 victory over the defending Class A state champion Crisp Academy team it will host this weekend in the Class A Final Four round, the Knights have indeed been on a roll. -
Coveted Patriot Awards go to Montgomery, Fuller at Wilcox fete
Presentation of the prestigious Patriot Awards to a male and female senior who in the past year excelled in specified areas highlighted Wilcox High’s annual all-sports fete held Monday night.
Recipients of those honors bestowed upon them for their academic, athletic and social achievements were basketball/track participant Shareba Montgomery and football/baseball player Bryant Fuller. Their choice for the honors was the result of voting by the school’s coaches. -
Harris going from Wilcox Patriots to Fullington Trojans
History is repeating itself for Tim Harris who in recently being named head baseball coach and defensive coordinator at Fullington Academy will be fulfilling the same duties he had when he launched a 28-year career at Wilcox High.
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Spring football drills come to an end thos week for area schools
Wilcox High’s Patriots did last week what Crisp and Dooly counties and Fullington Academy will do this week and Crisp Academy won’t do at all — complete spring football practice.
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Miller tops latest horseshoes standings
Suzanne Miller maintained her first place standing after Tuesday’s weekly pitching for Crisp Horseshoe Club members.
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Konz impresses on Falcons' first day of rookie camp
Coach Mike Smith likes what he’s seen from one of the Atlanta Falcons’ two high-profile rookie offensive linemen.
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Braves defeat Cardinals in 12-inning Friday night duel
The way Carlos Beltran was swinging, Atlanta Braves relievers felt as if they had to face the St. Louis Cardinals’ cleanup man every inning.
Jason Heyward got the swing that really counted, hitting a two-run homer in the 12th inning of a 9-7 victory Friday night, putting a damper on the Cardinals’ celebration honoring former manager Tony La Russa. -
Wade wins age division in Gnat Days 5L race at Camilla
Cordele’s Benny Wade was the first place finisher in the men’s 70-and-over age division of the 2012 Gnat Days 5K & Walk held last Friday.
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CCMS softball tryouts slated for Tuesday
Any girl interesting in trying out for the Crisp County Middle School softball team should report to the middle school practice field at 4 p.m. Tuesday.
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Crisp County's Sharonna Ray signs cheerleading scholarship
Crisp County High’s Sharonna Ray (seated third from left) signed this week a competition cheerleading scholarship to Brenau University in Gainesville.
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