Went on a solo mission yesterday to look for the
elusive 2019 Bartlett Crappie
Before I start this report I think it's important to know that you should NEVER rely on getting a Tonto Pass at the marina store, because if they're sold out you have to go to the kiosk and pay $18 for a day pass. Lesson learned......
Anyway, I launched at the Jojoba Ramp around 12:30 with the plan of speed fishing all my favorite spots. Because I've heard nothing good from everyone fishing up the river, I wanted to start up around the main channel. Figured water clarity would be better (It wasn't much better) and so it could be warmer.
I drifted minnows, drifted jigs, tossed minnows with a bobber, tossed MANY MANY colored jigs and was only able to catch one crappie on a road runner with a purple grub. I caught her in a small cove off the main channel south of Adler. Hammered that area and couldn't get another bite.
The areas I hit up were Rattlesnake Cove, the unnamed coves off the main channel, Crappie Cove, the cove up by Ship Rock, and the south wall just past the No Wake markers.
I was dissapointed I was only able to catch one, but it was a pretty nice one and it seems like a lot of people aren't having luck here, so I can't be too upset. Hope we can figure this out soon!