Shell cracker ?

[woodyard]

Do they tend to make their spawning beds around woody cover usually? Found some yesterday and they were in heavy cover. I managed to pull a few outta there though. Those males had some real colors. And when they are doing their thing they will not pay much attention to something in the bed.

 

[akachuck]

I don't normally don't see them in heavy cover. But I do see them around a log in deep brush if that helps

 

[WTM]

usually, they like protection. overhanging willow trees are the go to on KY lake and if grass or weeds are around the better.

 

[RUGER]

Was it around the big dead tree that is in the water ?
North side ?

 

[kornbread]

They tend to like shell/rock bottom as well.

 

[kornbread]

Few from last weekend

 

[waynesworld]

How do you all clean those? For me a crappie was the tipping point of fillet or scale.

 

[kornbread]

How do you all clean those? For me a crappie was the tipping point of fillet or scale

Shellcracker are generally thicker on back compared to bluegill. I always fillet them. The cordless Bubba knife with the 7" thin blade works well.

 

[waynesworld]

Well i went ot get a bubba electric knife last night. Just to find out i got the regular knife set not elect.

 

[waynesworld]

O and I know i am so stupid you all can send me to the NE fishing forum if needed

 

[woodyard]

Was it around the big dead tree that is in the water ?
North side ?

The one that has the holes in the bank from beavers or rats, found some there in the ritual. Found some more by a log at the end of that cove. Seems the bluegill like to bed under the big oak trees. The shell crackers around submerged wood.Caught about as many females as males on both crackers and bluegills. Also caught crappie and bass.
Most of the beds out there have been hammered to death. I haven't seen a one on the big bed by the carhood place this spring , of course there is usually a boat on it.

 

[RUGER]

The one that has the holes in the bank from beavers or rats, found some there in the ritual. Found some more by a log at the end of that cove. Seems the bluegill like to bed under the big oak trees. The shell crackers around submerged wood.Caught about as many females as males on both crackers and bluegills. Also caught crappie and bass.
Most of the beds out there have been hammered to death. I haven't seen a one on the big bed by the carhood place this spring , of course there is usually a boat on it.

Yep I have been three or four times and ain't done worth a flip yet

 

[CATCHDAWG]

They tend to like shell/rock bottom as well.

That's my observations here in the southeast as well.