Balsam fishing yesterday, Pike, crappie and more…

I was watching the weather forecast early this week and Friday looked like a better weather day after the very cold few days but the afternoon forecast for Friday was showing rain in the pm so I was not sure if I be able to go. Wednesday the forecast for Friday got changed with the rain being moved to later in the evening and overnight so I decided to go and invited another forum member, Reelingmachine (RM).

So RM and myself left town around 12.30 pm and went to try our luck on Balsam. From my experience the ice on Balsam usually melts last in Kawartha and this year it was no exception so we kept are expectations low and hoped that some pike will cooperate.

Checked a few spots and caught a smaller size pike and couple of decent size largies (released) in old weeds in 7 FOW but otherwise it was pretty quiet for the first couple of hours. Then we found pikes’ hideout and caught a few ones in a 2-4 pound range on suspending jerkbaits.

Around 5 pm the gusty SW/W wind has started blowing insanely like someone turned the switch. My iPilot was barely holding us in place but it was hard to cast for about 20-30 minutes so we had a break. The wind has passed , it became darker with occasional light rain and we resumed our fishing.

Around 6-7 pm was the best bite and we caught numerous pike, largemouth bass (released) and few crappies.

RM has caught a monster crappie at 15” being his PB!

Then we switched spots again and caught another few pikes in the last hour before sunset.

Off the water we were at 8.30 pm , a bit wet but happy with the day.

Overall we caught around 15-16 pikes in 2-4 lb range, around 10 largies , 4 crappies and 1 bluegill

The fish was mostly in places with the warmest water . Smaller jerks and jig tipped with plastic under the float fished slowly worked for us.

Tightlines everyone and have a great fishing season this year.

One of RM's pike.

My bigger crappie...

RM's PB crappie at 15"

My "PB" pike

WOW!!! Now that's a pike. Cool picture JB.

Like I said in so many posts, there are some big crappie in Balsam. It takes being patient like you two are. Finding big crappie is not easy. Good job you guys.

Congratulations on another PB crappie RM. Many anglers never break the 15 inch line on a tape measure. Don't forget when and where you caught that monster.

Congratulations on another PB crappie RM. Many anglers never break the 15 inch line on a tape measure. Don't forget when and where you caught that monster.

I am sure he will not ...

Thanks Jamie !

We came over for pike with an option to try for crappie and it kinda worked out although we only caught a few.

We cannot thank you enough for all the tips and knowledge you've been sharing about crappie fishing ,

it surely helped us!

Oh, I don't think you two need my help, but thank you. Maybe you two found one of my TOP SECRET crappie hollows. LOL. I am just shocked that there was not more of those same size crappie. The big crappie are probably separating a bit to get ready to spawn now. Balsam is usually the last to spawn after Sturgeon and Cameron.

Thank you very much, JB, for the trip to remember.

While we had time to talk about fishing now when I think about it again I want to say that I like the way how you stayed true to yourself and your name here.

While I am glad I took my crappie rod with float and jighead to poke that shallow area where the monster was your response was very cool. Your just put a smaller jerkbait on and showed me how it is done and caught a couple in deeper water

Congratulations on another PB crappie RM. Many anglers never break the 15 inch line on a tape measure. Don't forget when and where you caught that monster.

Thank you, Jamie.

While it looks like I did not break 15", 14.75" is a big deal to me.

There is another big thing about this crappie. Since your made that post few years ago to rename Balsam lake to we now know what I did put some effort to catch my first crappie on this lake, but without luck.
Few minutes before that happened I said to JB that it would be a real crazy day if with pike I could catch my first crappie on this lake...

very nice guys. Some day I will catch a crappie

Very well done guys!! I think it's time for me to get on the water.You boys just gave me a real good kick in the butt! It's time,thanks for the report.

Thank you.
Good luck. Hopefully that day is from this spring