Mississippi’s Ross Barnett Reservoir may not have the same reputation
for trophy slabs as Grenada, but as outdoor writer Mike Giles shows,
it’s got its fair share fine fish. ((Photo courtesy Mike Giles)
Crappie Basics: A Winter Hotspot in Mississippi
by Tim Huffman
Mississippi is a well-known big crappie hotspot. But we don’t hear much about it in the wintertime.
But there is one lake where hardcore crappie fishermen excel year-round.
Ross Barnett Reservoir
B’n’M Poles Pro-Staffer Hugh Krutz considers Ross Barnett to be the best lake in the state, including wintertime.
“Shad swim up the river and go to the backwaters where they spend the winter,” said Krutz. “Crappie follow them. The migration will stop when they hit the Hwy 43 bridge. The fish will winter not far from the bridge with their exact location determined by current. Little current means they’ll be on the concrete bridge pilings, but current will drive them below the bridge to a big eddy. You can find it by looking for all the boats. Water will be 14 to 20 feet deep in the eddy pools.”
Ross Barnett provides great numbers of crappie while providing plenty of two-plus pound fish.
“I think it’s the best lake in the state because it has so many fish, even if it doesn’t produce the three pounders that Grenada does,” said Krutz.
For newcomers to the lake, ramps should be accessible and navigation isn’t bad providing you stay within the marked channels.
“I do have LiveScope but still prefer the old-fashion spider rigging. I use B ’n’ M BGJP 16-foot poles and Capps/Coleman double-minnow rigs. I like small minnows in cold water.”
CrappieNOW senior writer and Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame member, Tim Huffman, has several books, including his newest, Papermouth, Modern Fishing Techniques, available in Kindle or paperback at Amazon, or link from his website, www.monstercrappie.com
