| ICE OUT PANNIES |
| Written by Keith "CrappieKeith" Nelson - www.CKOutdoors.com |
When the ice 1st goes out I'll start counting. When I get to day 3 is the time to slip the skiff into
some of the smaller lakes that are under 100 acres to look for those pannies. These smaller lakes
warm up faster,sometime they are 2 -3 week ahead of the larger lakes that take more time to
warm up because of the deeper depths and larger volume of water.
My method is simple.Run and gun! Move,move,move. Work anything you see sticking out of the
water next to the shore. Trees,reeds,rocks, you name it. I've seen a single log 10" in diameter
water logged and lodged into the silty lake bottom from a what a beaver must have cut hold 100's of
crappies.
some of the smaller lakes that are under 100 acres to look for those pannies. These smaller lakes
warm up faster,sometime they are 2 -3 week ahead of the larger lakes that take more time to
warm up because of the deeper depths and larger volume of water.
My method is simple.Run and gun! Move,move,move. Work anything you see sticking out of the
water next to the shore. Trees,reeds,rocks, you name it. I've seen a single log 10" in diameter
water logged and lodged into the silty lake bottom from a what a beaver must have cut hold 100's of
crappies.
I like to find the part of the lake that get's hit with the sun for the longest part of the day.
Some of the best areas early, like when the water is 40-45 are areas that are real close to some
deep water that those crappies are stagged and suspended in. I find they will slide up onto a mud
flat or weed shelf in the last half of the day and then they will slide back out as the sun hits the
trees.
All it takes is for that water to cool a degree or 2 and they are gonzo. Yet they will be back on the
very next day.
Those fish are hard to find early.they are not spread out all over the shoreline. They will be in the
warmest area, for me my 1st lake I hit has a floating bog on 1 end of the lake and that bag being
black is like a big heater not to mention the bugs coming out of the mud gets those slabs right off
it's edge.
Some of the best areas early, like when the water is 40-45 are areas that are real close to some
deep water that those crappies are stagged and suspended in. I find they will slide up onto a mud
flat or weed shelf in the last half of the day and then they will slide back out as the sun hits the
trees.
All it takes is for that water to cool a degree or 2 and they are gonzo. Yet they will be back on the
very next day.
Those fish are hard to find early.they are not spread out all over the shoreline. They will be in the
warmest area, for me my 1st lake I hit has a floating bog on 1 end of the lake and that bag being
black is like a big heater not to mention the bugs coming out of the mud gets those slabs right off
it's edge.
As the days go by and that water warms you'll notice that those fish will start to show up in more
areas along the shoreline. This is a great time to work the edges and pocket of the reed stubble or
over the old cabbage patches. Lilly pad beds are good too. When those pads lift off of the bottom
standing straight up I'll work those silty flats as those crappies and gills are cruising them for food.
The bass even start to show up and a few pike every once in awhile,plus dogfishmbig mouth buffalo
and every other fish looking for a meal. Why, well the minnows are there feeding on the plankton
and other aquadic micro organisims.
areas along the shoreline. This is a great time to work the edges and pocket of the reed stubble or
over the old cabbage patches. Lilly pad beds are good too. When those pads lift off of the bottom
standing straight up I'll work those silty flats as those crappies and gills are cruising them for food.
The bass even start to show up and a few pike every once in awhile,plus dogfishmbig mouth buffalo
and every other fish looking for a meal. Why, well the minnows are there feeding on the plankton
and other aquadic micro organisims.
Once the water hit 58-62 degrees those female crappies are spawning. You'll notice the males are
turning really black at this time of the year. It's their camoflage as they will stay behind once the
female is done. The males job is to protect the eggs once fertilised and after those crappies hatch
the male will lead them to the summer haunts.
A key attitude to have this time of year is catch and release. We need to maintain those nice
breeders. Thinning out the smaller fish will ensure that, plus those smaller ones eat better
anyway.
Last but not the least this is a great time to take a kid out with the hopes of helping them to
become outdoorsmen and women.
turning really black at this time of the year. It's their camoflage as they will stay behind once the
female is done. The males job is to protect the eggs once fertilised and after those crappies hatch
the male will lead them to the summer haunts.
A key attitude to have this time of year is catch and release. We need to maintain those nice
breeders. Thinning out the smaller fish will ensure that, plus those smaller ones eat better
anyway.
Last but not the least this is a great time to take a kid out with the hopes of helping them to
become outdoorsmen and women.
Have fun chasing!