tbayboy

Hey Sharper - I went back the week after those pics and yeah the crappies had moved out - only saw a couple caught and most people were just getting the bullheads. Johnny the patience is really more just determination to search and search (or know spots from history/helpful locals) - once you find them its pretty easy but its all about finding them. Thanks to Mikeh and the tips from guys here and on the net (lots of good crappie info available) I've learned a few things to look for but I was really surprised with how you can find them in spots you're sure don't have fish - those buggers can really stack up in small spaces.

Thanks for the great read Johnny - sounds like one of those days. Then again you say you were surprised by the size you got - maybe he's one of those partners that drives you nuts but has a horseshoe where the sun don't shine so you have to keep taking him out .

Growing up in Northern Ontario pan fish to me meant perch and maybe rock bass. Here in Southern Ontario I kept here about Crappies - after I stopped laughing at the name I realized there really was such a thing and apparently they're fun to catch, shore fishable and delicious to boot. I decided that this year I'd like to try them out. Its been a month since I first went looking and 3 crappie expeditions later I've learned a lot and had some fun and tonight I'll try the taste test. But that's getting ahead of myself ... The first attempt came back in the first week of April. After getting some advice from the gang here and some easy to find info off the net PatrickG and I hooked up at Bass Pro to stock up on some micro tubes and jigs and headed up the 400 for a day of following Canal road as far as it would take us to find fish. We saw lots of spots that were definitely fishable due to the lures hanging from trees and power lines but we didn't produce anything. Eventually we wound up at a spot with a wackload of cars. Not ones to be shy we parked and joined the party. Being late we didn't get the best shore spot but we managed a few and I was happy to have my first crappie <a href=" title="First ever Crappie by Sean Maurik, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3137/2393913095_fe8eedfeae_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="First ever Crappie" /></a> Patrick refused to be skunked as well <a href=" title="Patricks Crappie by Sean Maurik, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2024/2393911939_6e507fc9e0_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="Patricks Crappie" /></a> Fast forward to the end of April and Mikeh drops me a line - time to get some fresh fish slime on his Skeeter so off we head to the Kawarthas. We arrived and hung a right from the launch and started working shorelines, than bays, than rivers - all without a sniff. Finally Mike suggests we hit a marina near the launch and call it a day. Of course as we pull into the Marina we see several other boats fishing it and sure enough thats where the little buggers are hiding. We found a little corner and I tied on what is now known as the crappie bait of choice. I'd like to think I chose it based on my skill of reading the water, fish, weather etc but no - it came in a pack that said 'Crappie', was pink and white which I heard was good and came 10 for $5.99. Sometimes cheap and obvious works . These pink headed white maribou jigs were unbeatable. Not exactly a glamorous or even 'sneaky' spot (shore fisherman setup, boats side by side) but after being skunked all day we'll take it though we didn't bother keeping any: <object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="500" height="375" data="http://www.flickr.com/apps/video/stewart.swf?v=49235"'>http://www.flickr.com/apps/video/stewart.swf?v=49235" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000"> <param name="flashvars" value="intl_lang=en-us&photo_secret=00f8de8fdf&photo_id=2447001293"></param> <param name="movie" value="http://www.flickr.com/apps/video/stewart.swf?v=49235"></param> <param name="bgcolor" value="#000000"></param> <param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://www.flickr.com/apps/video/stewart.swf?v=49235" bgcolor="#000000" allowfullscreen="true" flashvars="intl_lang=en-us&photo_secret=00f8de8fdf&photo_id=2447001293" height="375" width="500"></embed></object> <a href=" title="Seans Crappie by Sean Maurik, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3013/2447832080_c51728731c_b.jpg" width="1024" height="822" alt="Seans Crappie" /></a> This weekend we took another stab at it on a different lake. This time we got into them early and decided we'd toss a few in the livewell for later. The first honey hole was a typical back bay filled with a mix of sizes. The spot is fairly accessible from shore and a bit touchy so you'll excuse the enhanced scenery: <a href=" title="Mikes Crappie by Sean Maurik, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2288/2447008619_04830dfb92.jpg" width="500" height="408" alt="Mikes Crappie" /></a> After getting a nice selection of dinner sized crappie (and a couple gills as well) <a href=" title="Kiddie Pool Bluegill? by Sean Maurik, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3259/2483923846_436ed259c3_b.jpg" width="1024" height="731" alt="Kiddie Pool Bluegill?" /></a> We moved on to try some other spot - here we are hunting away: <a href=" title="Where are you? by Sean Maurik, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2322/2483922876_d0eea14374_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="Where are you?" /></a> Mike suggested we try something new and I'm glad he did - we spent the rest of the day pulling crappie from undercut brush - that was really fun actually. You had to get the bait right up against the brush and then you'd watch the crappie come out from cover, grab the bait and pop back under the brush. It was a lot of fun and we saw a couple guys with long rods and no reels that I guess were really setup just for that kind of fishing - they just reached over and dipped into the holes in cover, neat way to fish. <a href=" title="Little Crappie by Sean Maurik, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3091/2483923290_f4d3a4e6a1_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="Little Crappie" /></a> So now that I'm a crappie expert (haha I wish) its time to decide what to do with the fillets in my fridge - thinking broiling with some onion and lemon? See you all out there Sean

Ok now I'm hungry thanks . Congrats on some beauties.

Cool pictures Beats, sorry to here you didn't get what you were after but it still beat sitting at home I'm sure

Nice opener haul, congrats.

Nice job everyone. Sounds like a fun night was had by all.

Great post - wonderful primer for everyone looking to get into the urban pike fun. Thanks for the laugh Dan (if only it weren't so true)

An amazing report for sure. Great to see a family getting out and sharing adventures like that (and luckily no one get left behind - after that snow many of my friends would have been sacrificed for suggesting the trip. Thanks for sharing it.

I've used the Natures Miracle and it works really well (might take a few applications but let it dry out and it usually works). As others have said the big thing for carpets is to get it sopped up as fast as possible. We had one room ruined because we didn't go in there often and the stains had settled right into the underpad and even the wood below. We had to redo the room (new floor) just to get rid of it. Carpets and cats just don't get along

Thats a beauty your GF got, can't wait to hit the islands myself.

Cool report, thanks man.

Thanks Lew - I really like that Bay as well mostly because it appears that you can get into some fish without needing a huge setup (of course high winds and rain always suck) - a rental tinny would probably be fine. I might try going back out there later on but I'm not sure how long the 'eyes stay in the bay (I'll have to do some more research I guess).

Congrats, sounds like a lot of fun was had and for a good cause to boot.

Is it bad when the pictures without fish in them outnumber the ones with fish 3 to 1 and a turtle gets more pics than the biggest fish of the weekend? If you squit hard enough I'm sure that turtle will turn into a prize winning pike right?. Thanks for the pics - even the artsy fartsie black and white ones

Nice stringer there and a camp with a roof - a real roof. What luxury

Nope, old fashioned yum pink and white salted twisty tail grubs. The leaches worked but no better than anything we used so I couldn't say they were worth it yet (could have been the jig colour as much as it was the leach). That said - they caught fish so they didn't suck either, more experimenting to go, guess I'll just have to fish some more

Mine went dark as well - probably gonna just toss 'em (about 1/2 a bucket left). Still not sure sure they're worth it but I got a couple 'eyes on the leaches this weekend in quinte. Also go a couple on grubs so can't say the leaches were anything fancy but I'm looking forward to trying them again soon.

'Hey Sean, interested in going to Quinte for the opener May 3rd?' That pm from Lexxington (real names hidden to protect the marshmallow bait users) a couple weeks ago was all it took to set me up for my first trip to the Bay of Quinte. At the time it was 20 degrees and sunny so the thought of spending a weekend in my tent sounded like fun. Funny how the weather can change in early spring isn't it? Anyhow, the plan was to head out of Toronto at 3am and just drive right on into the water. Never being one to sleep early meant I got in Lexx's truck with a 1/2 hour catnap to my credit but still was eager to go with enough gear to last a month (better prepared than sorry I suppose). 3 and a half hours later and we've said hello to the new owners of Pickeral Park, driven to the docks and Bobs your uncle: <a href=" title="Working really hard by Sean Maurik, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2099/2469551556_444f7b9fa4_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="Working really hard" /></a> Lexx is ready for the fish. You can see the weather we had for the weekend - pretty much windy and wet both days (Sat night being the wettest and Sunday morning the windiest). Not to be outdone yours truly was decked out in his ice fishing gear and VERY glad he brought it along: <a href=" title="Bring it on! by Sean Maurik, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3028/2468729053_a76f171047_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="Bring it on!" /></a> We had our first fish kind of quickly - a small pike that threw the hook at the side of the boat. Then a bit later Lexx landed our first 'eye. A nice dinner fish and into the live well he went. Lexx has most of our fish p0rn on his camera - I'll update the pics when I get them from him. After a while we decided to do some pike fishing in a spot that Lexx swears produced non stop last year and sure looked like classic gator heaven but other than a bass follower we didn't see a single fish. My xrap didn't let me down though when I pulled in what I thought was a bit of wood at first but turned out to be something or rather someone else: <a href=" title="Wrong fish! by Sean Maurik, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2079/2469552228_fe0e3e26f3_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="Wrong fish!" /></a> We weren't sure if he was in season or not so he was sent on his way (the hooks stuck lightly in his shell - no flesh involved) Giving up on pike and going back to drifting spinners Lexx brought in another for the well (I believe this one was on an Erie Dearie tipped with a worm), turns out its hard to be net boy and camera man at the same time: <object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="500" height="375" data="http://www.flickr.com/apps/video/stewart.swf?v=49235"'>http://www.flickr.com/apps/video/stewart.swf?v=49235"'>http://www.flickr.com/apps/video/stewart.swf?v=49235"'>http://www.flickr.com/apps/video/stewart.swf?v=49235" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000"> <param name="flashvars" value="intl_lang=en-us&photo_secret=4a36b2c553&photo_id=2469710000&show_info_box=true"></param> <param name="movie" value="http://www.flickr.com/apps/video/stewart.swf?v=49235"></param>'>http://www.flickr.com/apps/video/stewart.swf?v=49235"></param> <param name="bgcolor" value="#000000"></param> <param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://www.flickr.com/apps/video/stewart.swf?v=49235" bgcolor="#000000" allowfullscreen="true" flashvars="intl_lang=en-us&photo_secret=4a36b2c553&photo_id=2469710000&flickr_show_info_box=true" height="375" width="500"></embed></object> <a href=" title="First 'eye by Sean Maurik, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3091/2469552622_e1a80626cb_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="First 'eye" /></a> I finally landed one as well - another 16" eater and a nice perch as well on a 1/4 ounce orange/yellow jig with a pink and white grub. All of these came on a nice hump we found in the main channel (12' hump in 17' of water). After that we we headed in to setup before going for the evening bite. Luckily the rain held out so we were able to setup our tents while still dry. Here we go - ready for the worst <a href=" title="Home sweet home by Sean Maurik, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2303/2468730605_b67e17820d_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="Home sweet home" /></a> Turns out both tents held out just fine with the rain. Lexx's big canadian tire special was a bit drafty but the mr buddy heater and cot worked great and my little eureka kept an amazing amount of heat, nice and cozy and both of us stayed dry. After an hour nap (up to 1 1/2 hours sleep in 33 hours now for me) we headed back out with a couple burgers bought off the guy selling them from a Q on the dock (he made a killing this weekend I'm sure). After dark the boat lights came out: <object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="500" height="375" data="http://www.flickr.com/apps/video/stewart.swf?v=49235" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000"> <param name="flashvars" value="intl_lang=en-us&photo_secret=2f6d5b14a6&photo_id=2468858329&show_info_box=true"></param> <param name="movie" value="http://www.flickr.com/apps/video/stewart.swf?v=49235"></param> <param name="bgcolor" value="#000000"></param> <param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://www.flickr.com/apps/video/stewart.swf?v=49235" bgcolor="#000000" allowfullscreen="true" flashvars="intl_lang=en-us&photo_secret=2f6d5b14a6&photo_id=2468858329&flickr_show_info_box=true" height="375" width="500"></embed></object> We landed another that evening - this time I tipped the same big jig head with a 5" gulp alive leach and WUMP - fish on right on the same hump as before. This one fought great - head shakes, runs up and down the water column and side to side, one of the best walleye fights I can recall. Turned out be a nice 24 incher. We released him/her after a couple pics (on Lexx's camera). That was about it for the evening bite as the rain and wind started to get pretty annoying so we headed back for a few beers and hopefully some sleep. Didn't take long to realize sitting in the rain even with some cold ones isn't much fun so we jugged 'em down and crawled into our tents. 6:30am and I've had a solid 7 hours of sleep - ready for anything but not until a good camp breakfast - oatmeal, cup of noodles and a pot of coffee. Lexx went with the classic - coffee and cookies, breakfast of champions: <a href=" title="Cookies - Breakfast of champions by Sean Maurik, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2081/2468731413_21bf6bf5a4_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="Cookies - Breakfast of champions" /></a> Back to the docks: <a href=" title="Pickeral Park docks by Sean Maurik, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3173/2468728327_ece7e57096_b.jpg" width="1024" height="176" alt="Pickeral Park docks" /></a> And we're off into a VERY windy day. Pretty much dictated the fishing for the day - drive boat into wind, toss out drift sock (I've been sworn to secrecy as to why we didn't have 2 socks to use), and drag spinners with bottom bouncers/lindy rigs: <a href=" title="Getting rough by Sean Maurik, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2112/2468732291_f666c68b38_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="Getting rough" /></a> The new trolling gear I picked up at the spring show worked great and I was very happy to be in Lexx's well equipped boat - while we were watching our lines in the scotty holders from the safety of the canopy we saw lots of poor buggers bearing down in small open boats - kudos to them for getting out there but some of those guys just looked miserable. Back into Hay Bay I decided to try out an Eerie Deerie myself for the first time and it didn't take long to bring in my next meal <a href=" title="Dinner! by Sean Maurik, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3059/2468732609_e8a0b05d09_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="Dinner!" /></a> Lexx switched to the same colour and after a short time out on the front porch: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/emosworld/2468732911/" title="Relaxing in the sun by Sean Maurik, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3185/2468732911_7a14f3058f_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="Relaxing in the sun" /></a> he got a solid thump and landed a 23 incher. Turned out to be our last of the day and thus the weekend. After some fun landing the boat with the canopy acting as a great sail we packed up and got ready to go <a href=" title="Ready to go by Sean Maurik, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2097/2469556474_8a66bc144c_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="Ready to go" /></a> We ended up landing 3 walleye each if I remember correctly along with a couple perch, an out of season bass and a turtle. Nothing of any real size (for Quinte anyhow) but we didn't get skunked in any of our trips out so a definite success in my books (my stomach agrees - Chronzy would be proud). Big thanks to Lexxington for the invite - great guy, great boat, great company. Now hopefully next time we can skip the rain and add some pike Hope you all enjoy the report Sean

Pretty simple (being a Thunder Bayer now living in Toronto): 1. Go to the foot of Yonge street on Queens Quay right by Captain Johns seafood restaurant boat. 2. Start walking up Yonge street (since your at the start of the street its very easy to know why way to walk, if you end up in lake Ontario you chose wrong) 3. Stop walking at Thunder Bay 3b. If you hit the end of Yonge street you've gone to far but enjoy your time in Rainy river Oh and there's even a handy plaque in the ground at the start that'll remind you that its only a 1400 km walk

Thats awesome. Tarpon in a canoe, I love it!

Congrats Ben, some nice fish there and perfect fishing weather, who wants sun anyhow?

Holy crap Carole, thats a giant. Congratulations. And thanks for playing Cliff - we have some wonderful parting gifts for you

Congrats to Laker John on the prizes and all 3 of you - some really nice fish there.

Great stuff Mike, way to weather the big water - We stayed to the smaller water and even that was pretty nuts on Sunday (I've still got the sea legs going here at my desk). You guys got into some nice sizes there but that 20lb pike that went up day one - pretty much new that one would run away with it. With 4lb difference over second, must have been one happy camper when that got pulled in.