Getting my boat ready!, This has been some crazy winter weather!

Forecasted high for Wednesday is 14º! I'd better get my batteries topped up and ready to go find some crappie!! This is nuts!!!!

yeah for here there are only 2 days in the next 2 week forecast that are just freezing. Need to get rid of the shore then I will get my boat ready to go. Went to lake front today where I was fishing on Monday, some open water now but mostly still couple inches of ice.

That's the spirit Lionel, bring on the spring crappie. I will let you know when there is movement in the crappie. Crappie season will start a week earlier than normal this year on Balsam. The only question left is, where will the monsters be. Too soon to speculate on that, it depends on whether there will be any spring flood warnings this year. I have kept track of this forever, if there are no spring flooding warnings the monster crappie stay suspended in 12 feet of water. Then later after lunch the crappie will come up a chase the minnows that are warming themselves in the sunny water column. Best spring crappie fishing equals, long sunny days and an excess spring run off. More water, more monster crappie. I tried to find a picture of what I mean. Prespawn monster crappie will sit suspended along a drop off. I will call you closer to when this will happen. It's frustrating to try and put into words how crappie move in the spring, summer and fall. When I see the water movement and depth and feel how cold or warm it is, it's easy to say go here or go there. I will try and get up there for a couple of days this spring. Last year was too complicated, driving up fishing all day and driving back tired. Not very smart of me. If I can't get up there, my friends will give me information which I will pass on advice to who ever asks. I wish everyone a good and safe soft water season this year. Stay safe.

That sounds like a plan Jaime!! I'm going to miss the best crappie time down in FL because I won't get there until mid-late April. They are bringing in 25 bags in some of the crappie tournaments on the St. Johns river.

With this weather it looks like I will be in the kayak soon. Itching to go.

Arnie

Now, that's a kayak!

I'll have to agree with that statement. Like Xiaolu, you guys have some nice set ups.

Now, that's a kayak!

Thank you Zahan and Flukes......I dont want to hijack this thread but if you want to see the full build of the kayak go to this thread.....lots of pictures.

https://www.lakesimcoeoutdoors.com/forums/i...showtopic=46788

Arnie

Nice !
I am also looking forward to soft water .
My boat is ready in my garage and planning my first trip to Toronto harbour in March for some pike .

Got my renewed harbour permit in the mail last week so just waiting for a good weather

What’s a harbour permit?

It is a beautiful river that's for sure.

You can't find better habitat than down in the south to catch giant monster crappie.

Woodfarmer, You need a permit to boat in the Toronto harbour.

“Powered Vessel Operator's Permit
Recreational boaters operating a powered vessel within the Port and Harbour of Toronto must be in possession of BOTH a Powered Vessel Operator’s permit and a Pleasure Craft Operator Card.”

https://www.portstoronto.com/port-of-toront...99s-permit.aspx

The last tournament that I saw in the Deland area, big crappie for the day was 4.25lb.

The last tournament that I saw in the Deland area, big crappie for the day was 4.25lb.

That's double my heaviest crappie. I love Canada as much as I love fishing......BUT..... It would be amazing to wake up, walk out on my dock and catch 2,3,4,5 pound crappie everyday......BUT.....I would have to live in the south to do that. Too bad I love snow so much, or I would live in the south no problem. Our crappie does taste much better though being in cooler water year round. So I guess I will take great eating crappie over catching monsters everyday.