We might be in the midst of prime Spring fishing, but Reel Deal columnist
Lindsey Lucas keeps having flashbacks to cold weather slabs.
The Reel Deal: Flashback to Cold Weather Slabs
by Lindsey Lucas
As most crappie fishermen are looking forward to, or already enjoying the prime spring crappie fishing, I keep having weird flashbacks to my very first winter fishing trip. I was like a kid in a candy shop.
My dad, brother Landon and I decided to try winter fishing for the first time on our favorite Lake of The Ozarks. We had been watching various reports that said, in spite of the cold weather, the crappie were really hot. Some fishermen were apparently catching their limits in less than two-hours. We were in high spirits as we headed, laughing and singing along with some good old country music. There was plenty of time for that as it’s about a two-hour trip to the lake from our home.
Finally, Dad backed the boat into the water after we got all our equipment set and ready to go. We flipped our hats backward and off we go across the lake, headlong into a crisp winter breeze.
Our sources had pointed us to a particular part of the lake where we were told the crappie were basically “stacked on top of one another.” Three other boats were in the same area so we figured we must be in the right place.
Watching the live imaging sonar, we could see that fish seemed to be piled up on both sides of the boat. Since it was our first time actually winter fishing, we really didn’t know what to use so we just stuck with some tried-and-true Bobby Garlands in either Monkey Milk or Blue Ice colors. They were working, like always.
However, unlike the reports we received, we did not catch our limits.
On our way home Dad happened across a Facebook post describing how slip-knot bobbers were a great “go to” technique during cold weather. With a laugh, my brother and I wondered out loud why he couldn’t have seen that post BEFORE we started fishing!
Limits or not, we made special new memories that will surely live for years to come.
Lindsey Lucas, 16, is obsessed with all things outdoors. She dreams of becoming an accomplished outdoor media provider and influencer. She hopes the tips and experiences she shares will prove inspirational for other young men and women in her Gen Z age group.
