Well, the warm weather we had earlier in the week was just GREAT. But the recent cold snap has brought us back to reality. The water temp has been around 43 to 46. It is according to where you are at the time. The North end and major creeks are still muddy to off color. For some reason the past week the Sabine opened a gate and let water out for a couple of days. We are now 2 foot low.
The fishing is up and down with the weather. One day you're a hero and the next you're a zero. The lipless crank bait and chatter bait have been the best bait to throw. Covering plenty of water and making plenty of cast is the best pattern. Work the mouths of coves and half way back. Work the points in these areas as the fish will be staging around them. When you catch a fish or get a bite. Work the area good before moving on. Look at the structure that the fish came from then look for the same in other areas. Some areas will start holding more fish than others and these spots. This may be because of the water temp or food source. Keep coming back to these areas and some time during the day you will catch more fish. Look at the time you caught the first fish and look in this area at that the same time the next day. Remember the first fish to show up along the banks will be the males. They will be looking for the prime area to make their nest. The fish will start to set up a pattern as they stage before the spawn.
Now is the time to get out a jig and pig and work the timber and stumps over as the big females will be staging out in 8 to 15 foot of water. Fish the thickest cover you can find and drop your jig in it several times before moving on. You will flip many times over a day but the reward will be worth it. This is a magic time and that fish of a life time may come on the net cast or flip.
A big spinner bait will work slowed rolled over and around creeks and points. I like a three quarter ounce bait with a big willow leaf blade and a small Colorado blade. I like a fire tiger color.
The crappie are still holding up on the main lake and using your electronics to locate bait and fish and drop small jigs and minnows down to them. We are still in the time where you have to keep the first 25 you catch. This will come to and end at the end of February.
Jim Reaneau