Freshwater Fishing Archives - Page 63 of 86

Wadeable streams are often overlooked fishing opportunities.

Fish, farms and forests

February 1, 2013 Hal Schramm

Mississippi anglers know that healthy, productive fisheries depend on good habitat. In turn, they rely on their finned quarry’s habitat preferences to help locate and catch fish. […]

MCC Tournament Director Terry Stewart and his 80-something father Don won the December “fisherman’s choice” event.

Since my last report here, the Magnolia Crappie Club has held two tournaments at Chotard and Eagle lakes. These unusual “fisherman’s choice” crappie tournaments were held in early December and early January.

In fact, last month’s “As Big As They Grow” crappie column was based on what I expected to happen in that early December tournament. As I recall, I predicted that the tournament would be won pulling crankbaits at Chotard. […]

A Little Bit Sideways

January 30, 2013 Phillip Gentry

The brightly colored floats dipped and bobbed in the bright winter sun, but gave no indication of the scene that was unfolding below the surface of the water. […]

Usually the crappie will be ready by mid-February, but sometimes pre-spawn crappie fishing takes off early in the month.

Prime Meridian

January 25, 2013 Michael O. Giles

Joe Giles studied his LCR for a few minutes before pitching a couple of marker buoys out into the muddy waters of Okatibbee. Giles was scanning the bottom for the Gin Creek channel that cut through the Gin Creek Flats.

After fishing only about 30 yards, he caught his first keeper crappie, and threw yet another marker buoy out to mark the spot. He quickly put the perch in the “supper well,” and pitched his jig-and-spinner combo. Another fat one nailed it.

“I like to use a jig-and-spinner combo when searching for pre-spawn crappie,” Giles said. “I usually tie on a jig first and then put a small Beetle Spin-type spinner on the rear of the rig to slow my retrieve down and give me more feel and sensitivity at the same time.” […]

Black, white crappie similar, different

January 24, 2013 Hal Schramm

Crappie, sac-a-lait, papermouth, white perch, specks or calico bass — call them what you will, the Magnolia State can rightfully boast some of the best crappie fishing in the U.S., and the best time for crappie fishing is nearly upon us. […]

Brian Battle and Shelton Culpepper quietly caught the two-man limit (100 crappie) before 1 p.m. on the winter pattern at Chotard.

Cold crappie won’t hit crankbaits?

January 21, 2013 Paul Johnson

Let me tell you from first-hand experience the winter crappie pattern is on over at Chotard. Seems that every winter season on this beautiful, hidden-away crappie paradise located north of Vicksburg on the Mississippi River, there is a day or two where the fishing is so outstanding that it is hard to describe.

New Year’s Eve was a day with a couple of things dead-set against it — namely a very high and rapidly rising river stage. Plus, to beat all, it was the day of the dreaded full moon! And, if you’ve ever read any of my stuff, you know my personal feelings about the full moon phase and how I think (make that thought) it detrimentally influences the crappie bite.

Now, I’ve said many times here that I personally don’t think the rising river keeps Chotard white perch from biting. Just because the river is rising doesn’t mean they stop eating. Well, brother, they ate on this magical day. […]

In riverine or tidal habitats, submerged aquatic vegetation slows currents and traps sediment.

Long-term effects of sedimentation

January 19, 2013 Hal Schramm

With an average annual rainfall of almost 60 inches, Mississippi is the third wettest state in the U.S. […]

Hyper Lizard

January 13, 2013 Mississippi Sportsman

Lake Fork Trophy Lures’ 9-inch Hyper Lizard is as innovative as it is productive. […]

Fish in a Barrel

January 10, 2013 Phillip Gentry

Every angler who has ever wet a hook has an idea of the perfect place to catch fish. For some, it might be a private farm pond, for others it may be a secret set of coordinates out in the Gulf. The one thing these perfect places have in common is that when you go there, you catch fish. […]

Bobby Cleveland with his first bass of 2013, caught Thursday (Jan. 3) in a private lake near Jackson.

Chase to fulfill resolution begins

January 4, 2013 Bobby Cleveland

I promised myself that the first day that conditions allowed, I would try to get started on fulfilling one of the many New Year’s resolutions I made, and the only one I am likely to continue.

The resolution: Catch at least 21 freshwater species of fish in Mississippi in 2013.

I am also attempting to get 15 saltwater species in the Gulf, which would be easier if it wasn’t harder to arrange the trips. […]

MCC members Jimmy and Ricky Smith shown on T-Day at Ross Barnett with a couple of white perch as big as they grow.

Chotard puts on a show

January 1, 2013 Paul Johnson

Happy New Year! Can you believe it? We’re punching out 2012 and knocking on the 2013 door. My, how time flies when you’re having fun and getting older. The Thanksgiving and Christmas celebrations are behind us, and we’re ringing in the New Year as you read this crappie colum […]

Winter King — Tips for fishing for trophy winter catfish

January 1, 2013 John E. Phillips

Big catfish don’t disappear when water temperatures plummet, and this longtime Pickwick Lake guide knows exactly where and how to catch them. […]