Early Season Fishing Think Small for Big Results As winter slowly turns to spring and the sounds of migrant songbirds fill the early morning air, new energy fills the body of every outdoorsman.  Turkeys will start to gobble, mushrooms will soon be popping up in our favorite spots, and crappie will start to move toward shallow water to prepare for their spring spawn.  As the water slowly starts to warm, anglers are attracted to major reservoirs in search of feeding bass and crappie.  Truman Lake, Lake of the Ozarks, Table Rock, Thomas Hill, the list goes on and on.  These lakes offer excellent fishing opportunities, but they also share one other thing: lots of people!  If you want to enjoy a warm Sunday afternoon and avoid the hassle of waiting at a boat ramp or being surrounded by other anglers, think small.

Missouri has over 300,000 farm ponds that offer excellent fishing opportunities for everyone.  With a little effort, you can find a few ponds that get little fishing pressure and provide endless action for bass, crappie, bluegill, and catfish.  Chances are, you already have a relationship with a landowner who would be willing to let you fish on their property.  Take an inventory of all of the properties you have hunted or fished in the past, determine which ones still offer fishing opportunities, then search for new ones if necessary.  Since fishing is perceived as being a bit less intrusive than hunting, most property owners are willing to let you fish if you approach them correctly.  Also, don't forget public areas that offer fishing in small bodies of water that are not immediately visible from a road or parking lot.  These ponds are oftentimes under fished and offer good action.

 For bass, I always start with spinnerbaits.  Size, color, and blade design are important factors.  When the water is cold, I like to use smaller lures.  I’ll keep the spinnerbaits under ¼ oz.  Color depends on water clarity.  For muddy water, which is often the case after a spring rain, I’ll choose bright colors like chartreuse or orange.  If the water is stained, white is by far your most consistent 

color.  For clear water, go with a clear skirt that has silver glitter, or choose a natural color like watermelon (dark green) or pumpkinseed (brown).  You can add trailers to spinnerbaits in order to offer a little variety in color.  For the blade design, I prefer a single colorado blade for cold water.  It gives you the greatest amount of vibration possible.  This is especially important if the water is stained or muddy.  If the fish are very active, or if you need more flash, go to a colorado/willow tandem.

 Crappie fishing tactics are as numerous as crappie fishermen.  For cold water, finding the fish is by far your greatest challenge.  In small bodies of water, count on the fish being close to cover and in an area close to deep water.  The deepest water in most farm ponds is near the dam, so start close to that point.  I like to use a crappie jig suspended under a bobber at about 3 feet.  I fan-cast in the most promising areas and adjust the depth until I find the fish.  Many times, when the surface water is the warmest water, crappie will be suspended 1 foot below the surface out in open. 
 

When this is the case, the bobber technique allows you to slowly fish a wide area and keep your jig at a very specific depth.  Make your cast, then slowly drag the jig 1-3 feet at a time, stopping frequently.  When your bobber goes under, you have a fish.  Don't delay the hook set.  Experiment with jig color and depth until you find the fish.  The most important equipment for the crappie angler is a variety of jigs of different colors and sizes.

 If fishing small bodies of water is not your idea of a great day on the water, chances are you haven't tried it in a while.  Although Missouri’s major reservoirs offer fishing for a greater variety of fish, the quality of the fishing experience can't compare to a farm pond.  You’ll have the water all to yourself and you’ll enjoy all the natural sights and sounds that go along with a trip to Wild Missouri.  Rather than hearing the buzz of an outboard motor as it approaches, you’ll hear the buzz of a group of blue-winged teal passing overhead.  Good luck!!!
 by 
Dan Lock