I went to the Lake City docks again this morning and arrived about 10 minutes before the sun broke the horizon. It was a chilly one out there at 24 degrees and my guides liked to collect ice....until I warmed them up with friction.
Crappies, sunfish and walleyes. The sunfish started off with larger fish and the size got smaller as the day got brighter. Size was in the range of 7-1/2" right up to a couple at 10". The walleyes were hanging deep and every once in a while one would hit me. Walleyes were generally about 17 inches but they are still swimming. The crappies....what a size range today. Most of the crappies started around the 9 inch mark, but several hit the boards that taped out at 13 inches. Those are what's for dinner along with a couple of the sunfish.
As per usual, when I am getting into the fish I keep a few more that what we'll eat at a sitting to share with a friend or the kids. We've got a little old grandmotherly type of widow who likes fish down the street and she's about due for a nice fresh meal.
It was good to get out in spite of the chill. A good bite made everything even better. Catching all of the fish entirely on hand-made baits and jigs boots it right up there with it being a great morning.
I ended the fishing using a 1.75" small fry in my pet color of purple/chartreuse tail. The larger crappies came out of 21 feet of water and crushed this bait at 4 feet. I think I have a couple welts across my face from missed hits. lol
