Page 10 - Crappie NOW - April 2019

by Tim Huffman

here is no perfect list of the best lakes SANTEE COOPER, SC #3
in the country. One fisherman may Santee is the largest super-lake system in
Tlove a stump-filled lake while another our top seven. Two lakes, Marion and Moultrie,
fisherman hates it. What makes a good lake create Santee Cooper. Santee is capable of
good can include big fish, numbers of fish and giving up quality crappie in good numbers.
secondary factors including launching, local The two lakes give a fisherman a choice of
accommodations, beauty or uniqueness and fishing styles with jigging, casting, slow trolling
other factors. Therefore, picking best lakes is and fast trolling all being techniques used on
difficult. This list is a combination of inputs from the lake. For safety, wind must be considered
many fishermen and using other parameters. when picking areas to fish. March and April are
The top eight should be on everyone’s list of good months with typical spawning patterns.
must-try waters because they are proven big- A wildcard tip: August is brutally hot but has
slab producers. excellent mid-day fishing when fish are pushed
tight to brushpiles in about eight feet of water.
GRENADA, MS #1 Size: Marion 110,000; Moultrie 60,000 acres.
Still at the number one spot, this big-
crappie producer is on the bucket list of any ARKLABUTLA, MS #4
fishermen serious about putting a 3-pounder This lake is difficult to put in the top seven
in the boat and on the wall. The lake can be because it is so hit-and-miss. It’s easy to score
rough in the wind and it’s crowded in the spring. a big stringer of fish one trip and the next
However, the payoff can be the best stringer two trips struggle to catch a few. However,
of fish you’ve ever caught. The next bite can the potential for a super big fish is always
be a 3-plus pounder you’ll remember forever. present and is worth the effort. The spawn
The key period is from early March until the peak is around the end of March thru April.
second week of April. Don’t let stained-murky Seek shallow water. Slow trolling is popular
water fool you, that’s normal color. Overlooked but vertical jigging can be good too. Catch
Grenada fishing is the summer bite with post-spawn through fall crappie by trolling
crankbaits, and slow trolling works then, too. crankbaits. 2018 was a good year and so
Size: 35,000 acres, depending upon level. should 2019. Size: 11,200 acres.

WASHINGTON LAKE, MS #2 LAKE FORK, TX #5
Washington is a favorite of many fishermen Texas offers good crappie lakes, many
because it is an easy lake to fish and navigate. overlooked. Lake Fork stands out because
It’s not a huge oxbow so finding fish isn’t as of its massive size and opportunities. Visible
difficult as in a large reservoir. You can often cover, submerged cover, docks and more are
find fish by looking where the crowds of places to find big fish. Tactics can vary on
fishermen are located. Top methods include the lake with vertical jigging being a popular
slow and fast trolling. This is a land-locked favorite. You should be physically and mentally
oxbow making it more stable and consistent prepared for a slab attack at any time. Size:
compared to most other oxbows. Size: 5000 27.000 acres
acres.

10 Crappie NOW April 2019