Many an angler can look back to his or her childhood days – the ones when a trip to the stream or pond to catch bluegill unknowingly turned a joyful morning with family into a lifelong love and passion.
Yep, freshwater panfish helped to flick on the switch for a life where fishing was nearly a constant frame of mind.
Like a vast majority, bluegill were the foundation. To others, such as our legion of saltwater maniacs, all sorts of species helped light the fire.
No matter what the case is, angling often is born of roots – the simplest of starts to what grows into a lifelong endeavor.
I’ve learned over the years – because of work and the fish-filled waters that surround us all – that the saltwater scene offers as many thrills as an angler can count a prayer on.
And while I’ve developed a love of several saltwater species like puppy drum and speckled trout, my first love involves something swimming around in a pond or tidal creek.
Of those many species – yeah, I grew up as a largemouth bass guy on Back Bay – it’s the crappie that holds my minnow-stinked hands on every trip.
And for those of us that love the freshwater species of speckled, now is the time for both the average and pro together to enjoy their favorite.
This is the time of year when crappie look for a gal to move to the shallows and help keep the breed alive.
Crappie this time of year are looking to reproduce and they spend ample time in relatively shallows waters 10-feet or less. They love structure, like boat docks, shallow grass fields, downed trees or any other kind of hook-collector.
Live minnows under bobbers or hooked on jigs are going to be the best bets for those of us without all of the new-fangled electronics that supposedly make catching easier.
Casting small jigs also produces catches and thrills, especially since you feel the “thump” when the offering gets taken.
If you are fishing private waters such as a farm pond, keep a close eye on the number of small fish – as the waters might be stunted by too many little ones.
When you find the right place with the most favorable conditions, enjoy the fight with fat-bellied females ready to keep the population going. Kiss them on the lower jaw and let them go home to do their thing.
And, regardless of your roots, keep a pan filled with oil for the day you get home with a cooler full of crappie.
Your tastebuds will thank you.
To read more of my work, go to: leetolliveroutdoors.com
