The Great Outdoors

The Great Outdoors

by Larry Whiteley

THE BONUS

Those of you that love crappie fishing may find it hard to believe there is anything more important when you go fishing than catching crappie. That is important, but it is really the bonus.

When you get to the lake on an early June morning you notice the sunrise reflecting into the mirrored water of the lake. You start the motor and head out on the water. You feel the cool air refreshing your body. As you coast into your favorite fishing spot it is very quiet. You hear the water splashing against the side of your boat. A bullfrog croaks out an early morning announcement. You hear the sound of a whip-poor-will. Maybe an owl hoots a time or two.

As the sun rises higher, the morning sky turns orange. Birds and animals begin their day. Deer come to the water’s edge not far from your boat. You hear turkeys fly down from the tree-lined bluffs to the bottom land to feed. Squirrels chatter and fuss at you from the banks of the lake. Birds sing their songs. An eagle takes flight from its treetop nest. You feel a tap on your line and set the hook. Now, give thanks for having been blessed with this special day.

A QUOTE TO REMEMBER

“If I fished only to capture fish, my fishing trips would have ended long ago.”
– Zane Grey

NATURE NOTE

When you begin to develop a relationship with nature, you will begin to feel a pull. The force begins to call to you and pull you away from the chaotic monotony of everyday life. There’s no greater escape than God’s great outdoors.

LIVELY MINNOWS

Minnows are a favorite bait across America but they’re also the most difficult live bait to keep alive, especially in the summer heat. Bait survival starts at your local bait dealer. If the tanks have dead minnows floating around or a strong smell, you might want to shop elsewhere. Minnows should be frisky in the tanks and lively when netted. Ask the dealer about the minnows you’re buying. That’s their business.

If they put them in minnow bags make sure they have enough oxygen in the bags to keep them healthy until you get to your fishing spot. Store the minnows in a cooler with a sack of ice and put the ice on top not bottom. Whether they are in a bag or minnow bucket, treat minnows like tropical fish. They need to be acclimated.

If the lake is warm and your minnows are on ice, let the air temperature slowly warm the minnows or float the bag or bucket in the lake. The best plan is to hold them in a covered, aerated cooler until ready to use. Lively minnows catch more fish.

OLD BOONE’S FISHING TIP

Barometric pressure tells you how heavy the air is over where you are fishing. The lower the barometric reading, the heavier the air. Crappie have to deal with the weight of the air on the top of the weight of the water. That makes crappie move slower but they will still bite if you just slow down your presentation.