Catching Kawartha Crappie and Bluegil from Shore!, Awesome Weekend

Hi all. I hope you guys each had an awesome weekend of fishing. During this weekend I was lucky enough to get out for 2 full days of fishing. Work has been crazy lately so I was so exited to have the time off to get out and fish. Both these days, I hit some of my favorite kawartha shore fishing locations in search of crappies! Each day I ended up finding some great fish.

During day 1, I ended up having a great time. I was only able to manage 2 crappies but the bluegil were on fire. It was almost impossible to keep the lure away from them. These spring Gil's are crazy fish. They are feeding and they are hard to avoid. Haha. To be fair though, they do put up an amazing fight. I had an incredible time pulling out fish after fish. There were also a few perch mixed in too. No major size to them though. The Gil's as well were small for kawartha standard. At least in my opinion but 0 complaints. The crappies I ended up with were small as well. But man it was good to catch my first few kawartha crappies of the year.

During day 2, I moved to another location. The day was much better for size and crappies! I ended up with 10 total crappies this day. And they were fairly decently sized. Very exciting. I also ended up catching over 100 Gil's this day all of great size! Man do they ever fight hard. Just so much fun. I do feel as if my shore spots need a little bit more time for the crappies to fully move in but it was a great feeling to get a good few. It's always so exciting when you see that bobber slowly sink. When that occurs or it even just lies flat you know 99% it's a crappie. When the bobber erratically moves it's almost always a bluegil!

Anyways, it was a great weekend of fishing and enjoying nature. Always so much when when the crappies move in. My favorite time of year for sure!

Totals:

100 + Bluegil

50 + Pumkinseed

5 - 10 Hybird (Seed and Gil)

12 Crappies

5 - 10 Perch

Photos to come later when I get some wifi! No video for this week but there will be some again soon. Can't wait!

Nice Crappie

Bigger One

Big Bluegil

Last photo, great crappie!

Awesome weekend

Those Gills are delicious, hard to find a sweeter meat in the spring. I used to slay the bull gills at one of the locks in the spring. My grandfather called them “Blue Jills” in his thick Ukrainian accent. Best before it warms too much.

Great shore fishing outings , PM! Well done !
Thanks for reporting .

Great report with lots of detail. You should try that spot in the evening throughout the season. You might catch some there, and maybe a walleye as well. Good luck, for your next time out.

Thank you guys! Them Gil's are just so much fun that is for sure. And 100% I will have to do that CM. My job is done at 6:30 and what I have been thinking is heading up throughout the summer after work to try my luck for some night crappies and walleye. When the eyes open of course! I am really looking forward to exploring night fishing as a whole this season.

Excellent, I hope you will enjoy it. I never leave anything to chance when I am out all night. If something goes wrong, you must handle it yourself. From a small to big animal, or a drunk person on holiday or even a local with attitude. Don't forget these very important items. Life jacket and all your boat stuff if you are going out in a boat all night. Fully charged phone. Waterproof headlamp or two. And extra flashlight and batteries. Air horn and or bear spray. I usually have 3 knives with me. Big...Bigger...and Biggest.... Bug spray and don't forget to tuck your clothes in. Bugs are relentless sometimes, and a good spider bite is much more annoying than a mosquito bite. I bring three fishing rods, you don't want to be fixing anything in the dark. And a good quality rubber net. I have never had a fish get tangled in the line and lure in a rubber net. The most important part of fishing is to get that fish back into the water in perfect shape. Clothes you bring depend on the dry, wet, cold, or hot weather obviously. For those of us that need glasses, it's a great idea to bring and old pair. If you can't see out there that will compound a small problem into a possible situation. First-Aid Kit and I recommend to anyone out in a boat or nature to carry the wide roll bandaid. Not only can it hold a large deep cut until you can get medical attention. You can also use it like a tensor bandage. With a splint added you now have a home made cast that will last until you can get medical attention. I have a ten yard rule. In a boat if you are more than ten yards from where you launch, you are now on your own. If fishing out in nature, once you walk ten yards from your vehicle, you are now on your own. You should never have to say.....Dam I forgot something. Walking, Hiking, Camping, Boating, Fishing or what ever. Have fun and stay safe.

Great report,, glad to hear you had a good time.. Keep it up.. Be The Lure..

Excellent, I hope you will enjoy it. I never leave anything to chance when I am out all night. If something goes wrong, you must handle it yourself. From a small to big animal, or a drunk person on holiday or even a local with attitude. Don't forget these very important items. Life jacket and all your boat stuff if you are going out in a boat all night. Fully charged phone. Waterproof headlamp or two. And extra flashlight and batteries. Air horn and or bear spray. I usually have 3 knives with me. Big...Bigger...and Biggest.... Bug spray and don't forget to tuck your clothes in. Bugs are relentless sometimes, and a good spider bite is much more annoying than a mosquito bite. I bring three fishing rods, you don't want to be fixing anything in the dark. And a good quality rubber net. I have never had a fish get tangled in the line and lure in a rubber net. The most important part of fishing is to get that fish back into the water in perfect shape. Clothes you bring depend on the dry, wet, cold, or hot weather obviously. For those of us that need glasses, it's a great idea to bring and old pair. If you can't see out there that will compound a small problem into a possible situation. First-Aid Kit and I recommend to anyone out in a boat or nature to carry the wide roll bandaid. Not only can it hold a large deep cut until you can get medical attention. You can also use it like a tensor bandage. With a splint added you now have a home made cast that will last until you can get medical attention. I have a ten yard rule. In a boat if you are more than ten yards from where you launch, you are now on your own. If fishing out in nature, once you walk ten yards from your vehicle, you are now on your own. You should never have to say.....Dam I forgot something. Walking, Hiking, Camping, Boating, Fishing or what ever. Have fun and stay safe.

Great post, CM. I agree with all the tips and advice , Well put.

Maybe one thing I do differently. I take 4 rods with me at night

nice going

Awesome pointers Cm. Much appreciated. I am going to make sure I take all of that into account when I head out there. With these warmer days coming, I am going to make sure I head up after work for some nite bite crappies 110%.

I don't know if you guys remember but I have a "16 inch Crappie Quest" series I started last year in NW Ontario on YouTube. I think it's time to start it back up and make it happen! Can't wait.