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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Cougars score overtime win over Patriots
They had to work overtime to do so, but Crisp County High’s Cougars got the win (56-53) they needed over Westover’s Patriots Friday to keep alive their hopes for a No. 2 Region 1-AAA tournament seed.
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Wilcox's Marshall dismissed from Georgia football squad
Former Wilcox High record-setting quarterback and basketball player Nick Marshall is one of three players who have been dismissed from the University of Georgia football team.
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Fullington's Senior Night observation a huge hardwood success
On the day they suited up for their final regular season home game ever, it was only fitting that seniors did the bulk of the scoring during Fullington Academy’s Saturday romps past Sherwood.
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Cougar teams drop pair to favored Valdosta
As the 2011-12 hoops campaign winds down, Crisp County High boys coach Terry Smith still views his team’s season-opening 68-60 win over Valdosta High as its top performance to date.
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Dooly, Greenville exchange nail-biting Saturday night wins
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Area schools face tournament, regular season action starting Tuesday
Region tournament competition that later in the week will involve Crisp and Fullington academies begins today and the final week of regular season play starts this evening for Crisp, Dooly and Wilcox counties.
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Marshall dismissed from UGA
ATHENS — Former Wilcox High record-setting quarterback and basketball player Nick Marshall is one of three players who have been dismissed from the University of Georgia football team.
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Fullington clobbers Valwood in Region 3-AA GISA duels
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Crisp Academy trounces Randolph Southern
Crisp Academy’s Wildcats saved their best offensive performance of the regular season for last and the Lady Wildcats did right well, too, while cruising to a Friday night sweep of Randolph Southern.
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Wildcat teams trounce Randolph Southern
Crisp Academy’s Wildcats saved their best offensive performance of the regular season for last and the Lady Wildcats did right well, too, while cruising to a Friday night sweep of Randolph Southern.
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