redear

[fairweatherhunter]

Are the redear biting or bedding anywhere?

[Earnhardt fan #1]

I went over to my pond yesterday afternoon about four or so with three dozen minnows and caught ten good sized crappie ( 12-18 inches long) and several redear I could bearly get my hand around them to get the hook out they were starting to bed around the edges.

[MountainBuck]

Little early for the big spawn. They normally have two peak bedding periods. One around first full moon In May and full moon in June, I have done really well in both months, but my primary fishing spot for them is a clearwater deep lake that warms slower than most lakes or ponds. They spawn when water temperature is from 66 to 70 degrees. Lots of fun to catch when you hit it right and some good eating, too.

[fairweatherhunter]

Thanks for the info guys.

[ARGROUNDSWATTER]

My daughter and I caught a few yesterday. We brought 12 home for supper. They sure were good. My daughter caught 2 very nice ones on a Rebel Tiny Grasshopper crankbait. We caught a lot of small ones and she had a very good day with her dad.

ARGROUNDSWATTER

[fairweatherhunter]

smile.gif Good to know...sounds like fun. Maybe next weekend I can go to Conway and catch a few.

[BTC]

We've been catching 10-12" bluegills on crickets in ponds this week and they're delicious. This evening I hung one that I could'nt bring to the top for several minutes. As it turned out it was a 11 lb grass carp. I've never caught one before. Does anyone eat them??? Can you just filet them?

[Keith de Noble]

Hey BTC:
If you're talking about White Amur (grass carp to us bowfishers), then you got something that can be very good. We like to steam them in a pressure cooker, which softens the small bones to almost nothing, then smoke it slowly on a smoker with your favorite fish flavoring. Better than a lot of salmon I've had, and I like salmon.

[BTC]

That's what I'm talking about. You just pressure cook the filets? Lots of small bones?
That sounds good but I don't have a pressure cooker.

[Keith de Noble]

That could be a challenge. Their bones "Y" at every junction like many other fish in their family. The only other suggestion I have is to rig a pressure cooker (I don't remember exactly how to do it), but it can be done. Perhaps a little time on the Internet and you can find a source to figure it out. I know this - it's worth it.
Oh yeah, debone as much as you can, but don't get to particular, it can drive your crazy.

[Pee Wee]

Took my youngest daughter out on the Paris city lake today and she caught around 40-50 big bluegill just a couple redear. That lake is just full of bream it is easy to catch a limit of big ones we turned all these back because I have a freezer full of fish.

[fairweatherhunter]

Anyone fish ole Conway lately? Need a report, thanks.

[fairweatherhunter]

Went to Conway yesterday, fishing sucked...too much fresh water, lake was up.

[Earnhardt fan #1]

Be too much water for a month maybe more around here !Even my backyard is flooded and I live on a hill!