Grand Lake Fishing Report

Beating the heat

I hope everyone is staying safe during this hot weather we are experiencing. I saw lots of folks enjoying the lake to help stay cool this past weekend.

One thing I kept doing was dunking a towel in the lake, placing it in the ice cooler in my boat, and then wrapping it around my neck, it almost takes your breath away at first, but it sure keeps your body temp down. I don't want to miss out on days on the water due to the heat. We have a very short window to enjoy our beautiful lake.

The fishing is still amazingly good. The crappies are being caught in the stake beds and underneath docks. Shade and early morning or late evenings are key this time of the year. If you are fishing docks or boat lifts, focus on the shaded part even if it is the shallow side of the structure. Crappies don't care as long as it is dark and cool. I caught them in less than a foot of water but all the conditions were perfect, so don't overlook it.

Make sure to have live bait with you if you are fishing in the later part of the day. Crappies are feeding more this time of the year than any other time. Their metabolism is the highest in the summer, however, they are not feeding where it is the easiest for everyone to fish. Focus on the shaded banks and shaded trees and docks.

I'm not downsizing my baits either. I am using the two-inch plastic triple tail from B&M Crappie Baits. I also use the "Wedge Tail" hand-tied jig from Big Mike, available at Spillway Bait and Tackle and Eastside Bait and Tackle.

Oh, by the way, the catfish and bluegill are biting really well too. Beat the heat, and get out there and enjoy our beautiful Grand Lake.