Santa Clara lakes crappie

I just read a post from one of my SoCal buddies and he is just slaying the prespawn crappie.

The only lakes that have crappie that I know of close to me are calero and Anderson.  I don't know about lexington.

Crappie taste good.

I'm gonna go soon.  Any company would be appreciated.

MolBasser

Hey Mol - my buddy used to catch a crap load of crappie at Anderson - small minnows were the ticket. We should explore that area soon!

Anderson used to have some killer brushpiles and overhanging willow trees right next to the launch ramp but they removed all that stuff when the built the new ramp.  The damn is usually holds fish as well.  I would pass on Ca;ero if you're looking for dinner.  Fish are tainted with Mercury.  I'd call coyote bait and tackle for the latest updates, they'll also give you the lowdown on Chesbro and Uvas which in my opinion can be better if you're targeting crappie. 

Yeah, I forgot about chesbro and uvas.

Maybe next week Mooch.

Brush is the ticket.

MolBasser

Coyote has an online report here ...http://www.coyotebait.com/pages/3/index.htm

It says there are no reports on Crappie out of Andersen yet.

-Allen

thanks for the link Allen - it's now book marked!

From the Mercury News fishing report

Anderson: Good numbers of medium and small black bass bite on minnows and night crawlers. Fishing for crappie has improved in the warmer weather and should be off the hook by this weekend.

What is you schedule next week Mooch?

MolBasser

I'll try to get Friday off (17th) - I'll let you know.

I might be able to swing monday morning.

I'd probably have one of my kids in my forward hatch if I can go.

I should get to the lake before then for a preview.

Edit:  I could do monday.

MolBasser

AWESOME.  I just found this for Lexington.

This is gonna happen for me too.  LOTs of brush in lexington to find crappie.....

Crappie: What they don't do in numbers, they make up in size. They come over a pound on good days and are often over two. They're hard to find though. Mostly found by accident while fishing for bass.

Since they're a big larger than most, I will sometimes use a 3 inch grub instead of my standard 2 inch. I also go up to a 1/16 or 1/8 oz jighead. Hang on tight with these things. Often a good sized bass will inhale the little grub. And if you're using good light tackle he'll give you the fight of a lifetime.

MolBasser

I just got off the phone with the nice lady at Anderson.

2 strikes on the crappie hunt here without a topo map.  The lake is 3/4 full so there is no shoreline brush to speak of.  It is effing 11 bucks to park and fish.

On the awesome plus side, the lake temp is in the mid sixties.  The spawn must be in full swing.

MolBasser

okay, my kids are off school monday, so I'm going to take the younger one (6) to anderson,
he's going to fish out of the front hatch,  . he's got a youth wetsuit and a pfd and an
ultralight rod plus he can swim.

our intent is to be there @ 8 when it opens, with our $11 (ouch) in hand to park and fish
and perhaps catch a bass or crappie.  we'll leave just a couple hours later, probably landing @ 10:15,
cause I got afternoon meetings.

mol, bring your ff and your bass and crappie expertise if you can!

best,

j

Dude,

See my pm, I probably can't make monday, but middle of the week lexington is a lock.

MolBasser

no sweat, bro! my youngest son and I will hit anderson monday cause he has the day
off from school. we will muddle about for a couple hours 8 to 10. it would be nice to
catch a crappie or maybe a bass if they are at all active, but I guess I'm not going to count on it.