Bartlett 12/30

[OneBlade]

I took 3 boys ages 8 and under to Bartlett Lake this Friday.  We were by Cat Bay area by 12:30 and saw Fishless there.  We trolled in 30ft of water with a wide variety of colors and found a lot of small crappie under 10".   They were all tipped with minnows.   We were out of there by 4pm and landed only 5 or so, but they were all non-keepers.  I probably saw 5-10 bites too that they didn't take the hook.  So no keepers except some guy gave me a lunker crappie so I get a fish fry tomorrow.  I had my AZ Crappie shirt on so some guy asked me about it and I responded for them to google it (hope google has the right website!).  As I packing up stuff on land, another AZ crappie member stopped by and I can't remember his screen name but he's from Ohio I think and comes during the winter.  Probably see him at the Alamo trip as it sounded like he was going.  I couldn't tell if others were catching or not. Oh, I did catch one on a crankbait so that was a first.  I thought it was big but turned out to be double-hooked so came in sideways and not very big at all.

I did find places all around Cat Bay where it sure looked like my fish finder saw a school there.  I know what trees look like on my finder and these were either bushes or schools.  I didn't have the patience to just stop and try there as I was juggling 2 poles and 3 kids with constant requests!

[cousinlll]

Nice job Matt, and I'm not just talking about the fishing!!  Lots-o-work with da crew you had onboard.  Thanks for the report!

[Fishless]

good job Matt, nice meeting you today, great job keeping the kids entertained and they seemed/sounded well behaved, could not believe that guy pulling his young daughters on a tube with no wet suit on with 53 degree water and 70 degree air temp bet they were a popsicle by the time they got out of the water. Hope fishing picks up, been a long long time since I have been skunked at bartlett, humble pie day for sure.

[o from wi]

I'm the guy who met you as you were loading up. It was my first time on Bartlett,,,, nice lake. I got only small ones too, maybe 6,,, lots of bites. I can't believe the price of minnows! OVER $3.00 a dozen! Back home (Wisconsin) we get 6 doz for a buck! Gotta learn to wiggle those grubs better. I did start getting more action as I slowed to about .7 / .8 mph. Yes I plan to do the Alamo trip. My picture is from Alamo last year about mid April,,, got lucky that day. 25 fish filled my cooler! I may try for some strippers next week. Tip's always welcome.