~*~ Lake Hopatcong Crappie 04-13-2015~*~

[Andrushkin33]

After a very short conversation with my friend I did what I never do ...skipped work in mid afternoon.

Target was crappie at Lake Hopatcong and boy did we put a dent in them.

Got to the lake around 4pm and stayed until 8:30pm.

Saw a lot of other people fishing and not a lot of them were getting into fish. Although was discouraged at first it all changed once we found a boatload of them. The bite was one and we saw everyone starting to migrate toward our spot. Overall got about 12 nice size crappies from 8 to 14 inches, couple of pickerels and a channel cat. One very nice pickerel snapped my friend line while doing somersault and flipping him off. Been a long while since I seen his line snap.

Great day to be out with couple of either eagles or raptors looking for prey.

NO fish porn sorry, no camera and dead phone but that's how it was planned to be.

Kudos for fathers being out there fishing with their daughters that we met last night. Best quote of the day was: " NO dad we are not leaving until I get a fish and I don't care if we have to stay all night "

Just a great day no way around it.

[jrock]

Well you guys did better then us yesterday. I was out with my pops and a family friend looking all over the lake for the usual hot april crappie bite with absolutely no luck. We did get a nice rainbow, some decent pickerel, and some perch so the day was not a bust, but just couldn't find the crappie. we left around 7 so we might of missed the bite. The lake was also low so maybe that had my usual spots not producing. Anyway great job finding em yesterday.

[Andrushkin33]

J,

Crappies were all in the shallows. Fatheads were the bait of choice and the ones we got were small maybe 2 inches max but they were producing. Lines were suspended maybe half of foot to a foot max from the surface. Bite picked up after 5pm with the most being caught between 5 and 6 and rest later in a day. Have a friend at the same spot right now putting a hurt on them since 5 this morning. Good luck

Andre

[bunker dunker]

the lake is alive!!! crappies,perch,trout and a few pain in the arse eyes.
don't wait as now is the time

[Chrisper4694]

damn i just checked there friday...was a bit early i guess...I'll get them one way or another, they can't escape me...i'm coming for you crappie...thanks for the report!

[Andrushkin33]

Chris,

They are out there and in good numbers. Shallows seems to be the way to get them.

Should be out there tomorrow bright and early to put another hurt on them.

Also coordinates pmed

Andre

[Chrisper4694]

Thanks buddy, I know just where to whack them. Just needed that water to warm and it happened! Little windy here today. I think I'll hit a smaller lake today though.

[bunker dunker]

the crappies are thick!!!!!small jigs and a bobber 30" apart is getting it done.
rufus jr or mitty -mite are the hot jigs for us.last 2 hours of light

[Tigerhunter]

What is the water temperature like? A buddy and I are headed down Sunday to the lake for muskie for the first time (renting boat from Dow's). Thanks, Trevor

[Andrushkin33]

Based on yesterday report temperature varies from 45 to 55 depending on where you are at.

Not my readings so don't quote me on it.

Based on my observations I would say around 45 degrees

Andre