Early spawn watch
Stormy weather but really warm temperatures. Haydn with Williams Guide Service has been sending pictures of Crappie he's cleaning, and Jeff can't believe how far along the eggs are. They aren't ready to hit the bank yet, but the eggs are starting to get bloody. Without a strong cold front or two to push the water temperature down, Crappie could spawn toward the end of this month. That isn't unheard of, but it would be unusual for a lot of Crappie to hit the bank at the end of March instead of around the second week of April. March can be cold and miserable or warm and wonderful, like the last few weeks. The water is warm enough that fish could move to the bank comfortably if they were ready.
The Crappie Magic crankbait
Jeff is excited about Luck E Strike's Crappie Magic crankbait. Over the years he has worked with Go-Go Minnows, Swimming Minnows, Crappie Kickers, Lucky Bugs and Flea Flys, but he never got to try a small floating crankbait for Crappie. It floats when it hits the water and dives about 2 to 3 feet as you reel. The faster you reel, the deeper it goes. It's an alternative to lead heads and soft plastics, which catch a lot of fish but hang up a lot and leave you unsure how deep you are when swimming them off the bank. (A cork and bobber is still a fun way to catch spawning Crappie too.) Jeff has already caught White Bass, Crappie and Kentucky Bass on it. Packaging arrives at the plant this week or early next. Area dealers can place orders now, and it's also on LuckEStrike.com. Haydn and John Lewis will be testing it, and sinking models are in the works for casting over summer brush and at schooling White Bass. It's economical and made in the USA in Greenwood, Arkansas.
Paddlefish
Snagging is really good on the upper end. With a little fresh water and movement, Paddlefish will be thick at the dam in Miami. This is exactly the time of year. Use a barbless treble hook, and if you've never been, pay attention, because Riverview Park gets wild and crazy when the fish run and the water's running and muddy. It's a great place to catch them from the bank once you understand what's going on.
Catfish / White Bass / Crappie
There are lots of good Catfish reports. White Bass are fantastic, with some Crappie, up Spring River, if you can find room ("sometimes you're casting into another guy's boat"). The Neosho River should be getting better, with reports of roaming Crappie caught on LiveScope there.
Bassmaster Classic
The Bassmaster Classic is coming to the area, with competition at Grand Lake out of the Wolf Creek facility and the expo in Tulsa. Jeff wishes Luck E Strike were far enough along with its Bass assortment to have a booth, but that's coming. Go out and watch the weigh-in to see how it's done at the very top level of the sport.