Naughty crappie

If the crappie on Lake D’Arbonne don’t watch it, they aren’t going to get a present from Santa this year. Their behavior is bordering on naughty, to say the least. In other words, unless you are one of the few who is getting into double digits on keeper fish in recent weeks, you’re probably wondering just what’s going on.  After a phenomenal year last year at this time, fishing is just plain slow right now.

There were lots of fishermen on the lake Saturday and there were some fish caught, but nothing to brag about for most. Sunday fishing pressure was a bit lighter and after a brief trip on the water Sunday afternoon, I know why. Actually, I already knew, but just had to confirm it.  Fishing is just plain slow right now. Have we said that already?

There are tons of fish showing on graphs in the channels from the spillway up to Jake’s and all the way to Lester’s at the Bernice bridge, but they just aren’t biting like crappie fishermen feel they should. What’s wrong? It’s pretty simple.  The just aren’t hungry.  One reason they aren’t hungry may be that there are also tons of baitfish showing up all along the deeper water as well. Some are right out in the middle of the deeper channels and others are on the edge of the channel. The crappie are right there, too, but the are turning their fish noses up at just about everything from spinners to jigs to soft plastics. Maybe the crappie are hiding below the schools of shad to get away from the federally protected cormorants.

When will it get better? It would be nice if it would come before Christmas, but we’ll just have to wait and see. For right now, only Santa can know if they’re sleeping or know if they’re awake…but let’s hope they turn good for goodness sake.