4 days, 4 trips and TONS of crappie... Pic Heavy.

[Blaine]

Ever wonder what the log cribs in the coves look like? Here are a few screenshots I took from this week...




I've been spending a lot of time on the ice lately playing with my new Humminbird 597... Gotta say, I'm loving it! The GPS feature got me right on the cribs and brush piles and they were loaded. Most of the fish this week have come on Rattl'n Flyers tipped with shiners but I had my share on Darters too. I started the week on 3" and ended the last night with well over 4" Here are a few pics and video from the last few days...









Here is a video from one of my more productive days... 3 1/2 hours at the same hole, I iced over 3 dozen crappie.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oFNcMhKsrKQ

Here is the biggest of the week, just shy of 17" 

[waltsfishing]

time for fishfry nice

[pikePERSUADER1]

Nice slab Blaine, I'll be looking for one of those too for the CTO ice tourny!

[Ravo Himself]

Nice fish. I might be getting out there this weekend. How's that ice there handle the river tide

[bassMASSter]

great photos man..thanks for sharing

[lowaccord66]

Nice report Blaine!  Can you tell us a bit more about the unit your using?  Curious to hear your thoughts on that unit to comparable Vexilar units.

[ctbassin]

Blaine you are the crappie king. It is amazing how well you work those log cribs

[Blaine]

Can you tell us a bit more about the unit your using?  Curious to hear your thoughts on that unit to comparable Vexilar units.

Well, it's an expensive unit, but it's full blown fishfinder / GPS unit that has an ice fishing mode built into it. The 597 was originally designed for boaters but this unit was adapted for ice fishing. Basically they put it in a shuttle, gave it a battery and wrapped it in a bag for us hardwater guys. I can and will use it in my boat, I just have to buy a different transducer and it will mount and function like any other GPS combo unit.... I can do all my scouting in the open water and enter my waypoints. It has a slot for a chip for different waters or taking screen shots and recording the action as well. I moved up from the Ice 45 and have noticed the screen is more clear because it's and LCD. Another bonus is that I get no more interference from my partner's flasher. Mike had a 55 and we often fished within 10' of eachother. Iterference wasn't bad, just annoying. Last night both of our screens were crystal clear...

[lowaccord66]

Whats expensive, for me there is a ton of value in using it for open water and ice.  If it can use a suction cup portable transducer I'd be all in as I use quabbin rental boats frequently and having those capabilities there would be awesome!

[sebago2jigtima]

nice job on the fish. the cribs look cool... but... looks like your having a blast with your new H B 

[kevinmaine3]

Nice slab, wicked cool... I love fishing for the crappie...

[Curley]

Crappie on Roids! The thing would scare some  largemouths! Nicely done. Did you enter it for one of there pins?

[highvoltagejigger]

Nice video Capt.   Hope to make it down that way this year....Can you save me a spot?

[JohnnyJigger]

Nice tank, kind of cool to see what i lose my jigs on.   

[Blaine]

Whats expensive, for me there is a ton of value in using it for open water and ice.  If it can use a suction cup portable transducer I'd be all in as I use quabbin rental boats frequently and having those capabilities there would be awesome!

I completely agree... It retails for $649.