2024 Crappie Thread

[Slew]

Has anyone been fishing Palestine lately?

Had a good box when the wind didn't blow. Thursday was tough! Weatherman missed the wind by alot! It's probably fished tougher than most other lakes I go to this year. Not sure why that is.

[E.TX.BOWHUNTER]

How about Houston County?

[Gumbo Man]

Was at the right place at the right time and scored 32 Christmas trees from Lowe’s in Livingston yesterday evening. Crappie Condos going in next month. Merry Christmas to me.👍👍

[Slew]

I would sink em sooner than later!! You let those Christmas trees dry out it takes 3x as much weight to sink them!

[Gumbo Man]

I would sink em sooner than later!! You let those Christmas trees dry out it takes 3x as much weight to sink them!

I agree but my dance card is full right now.

[Snowflake Killa]

Was at the right place at the right time and scored 32 Christmas trees from Lowe’s in Livingston yesterday evening. Crappie Condos going in next month. Merry Christmas to me.👍👍

Looks like you are ready

[Yannister]

Not to be a stick in the mud but I don't like Xmas trees for brushpiles. As mentioned, they are very buoyant by now and take a lot of weight to sink. The other big problem is pines and softwoods decay fast. All that work for maybe 2 or 3 years of structure.

Fresh cut oak branches are great. Really any fresh cut hardwood except chinese tallow will work well.

[Wolfpack0311]

To the Crappie ole heads need some tips fellas, So I just purchased this $80 fish finder off amazon for my kayak to target winter Crappie. I'm going to try it out this Sunday below the lake Mathis dam in the nueces. My question is what am I looking for as far as structure in the winter ,depth, presentation ,bait is key, I will be using jigs. I know how to target them in the spring which everyone knows is easy. I love catching them just want to be able to catch them year round. Thanks for any advice

[Slew]

I don’t fish your lake. Up here I’m fishing 30-50’ deep mostly catching fish on timber suspended 22-28’ down. The other day we hit a little lake and they were all in 17’ on the bottom but that’s about as deep as that lake gets. They’re following the shad. Some go deep. Some go shallow. They’re looking for the warmest water in the lake and the crappie follow them. I love winter fishing!

[Gumbo Man]

Not to be a stick in the mud but I don't like Xmas trees for brushpiles. As mentioned, they are very buoyant by now and take a lot of weight to sink. The other big problem is pines and softwoods decay fast. All that work for maybe 2 or 3 years of structure.

Fresh cut oak branches are great. Really any fresh cut hardwood except chinese tallow will work well.

I like Christmas trees. I’ve done a lot of brush piles in January and they’re not totally dry by then. Especially with rain and lack of sunshine slowing the process. 2 cinder blocks per 5 tree bundle has always been sufficient. Regardless of what is used rebrushing every 2 or 3 years is just necessary maintenance.

[Texas Grown]

Another thing about Christmas trees I like, they are usually free after Christmas.

[Gumbo Man]

Another thing about Christmas trees I like, they are usually free after Christmas.

Tru Dat Mike.👍👍

[Yannister]

This is true. Any cover is better than none. Especially if someone else sinks it

They are wide too so they probably hold fish well even if they fall over. I will tie a half-filled bottle to keep those long oak branches upright but I feel a bit bad putting plastic trash in the lake