Robert J Samples Loc: Round Rock, Texas

I am ever surprised at folks asking about others’ honey hole and where to go and what to use for bait. Yes, there are times and situations where seasoned fishermen will divulge some of this highly sensitive information to a relative or close friend.

However, believe me it is the exception rather than the rule, and if you are a neophyte fisherman, do not be surprised if the old pro is not forth coming with much of such information. Stop and think for a minute, the old pro has probably spent hours, even many hours over the years in cultivating his favorite spots where he has reasonable expectations of catching fish.

In the first place, each fish species has different habits, feeding and nesting patterns. To discover and learn these isn’t an over-night process, but often takes years to acquire.

First, lets talk about big catfish: I mean 20 pounds and above. These are the kings and queens of their territory. They will command the best of their territory, usually have a den which might be a cave in the bank, or under a submerged drift. Once you find this, either by exploration or accident, you can usually count on repeated rewards as more than one big cat will reside there. Catch the current resident and before long another will find and take its place. You would not expect a vacated castle to remain unoccupied. I have even heard of fishermen sinking barrels in likely spots to provide dwelling sites for large cats!

Now, there are an awfully lot of crappie fishermen, and many will spend their time looking for suitable spots to fish for this desirable fish. If you are one of these fishermen and searching for suitable honey holes. Why not create your own and then mark it on your electronics, rather than asking others where theirs are?

What I am taking about is creating a honey hole. If the state allows this, you can build a ‘hot spot’ for crappie! Find or go cut a cedar tree, or take one your family used for Christmas, tie a suitable weight like a cinder block, on the base and then in a likely spot, sink it there. Fishermen in North Texas where I grew up would usually sink a bale of vetch hay along with their tree. This pre-baiting will draw minnows, shad and other food fish that crappie love. By the way, you can be generous with yourself and build more than one spot. This is just insurance if someone happened to be fishing accidentally on one of your pre-built crappie spots you can go to another, after all you do not own any part of the lake, unless you own it all!

Mark each site on your GPS and that would be the only way only you can relocate your crappie honey hole(s). Yes, it takes some work, some effort, but if you are in this fishing for the long run, why not make sure your future is bright, and better in the future than now. For more details go to U-tube for this information.

After you’ve done all this work, are you going to tell everyone that asks where your honey hole is? Maybe, but also maybe not! I suspect you might just tell them to create their own honey hole. Now, get to work and build yours and enjoy many years of great fishing. In my opinion it is better to be a “have” rather than a “have not” and begging others. Just Sayin…RJS

OJdidit Loc: Oak Creek Wisconsin

Robert, I agree with utilizing natural materials such as used Xmas trees as a brush pile for your “honey hole”, but this must be done within the local regulations. I have no doubt people have sunk barrels for use as “catfish castles”, but this can’t be legal as it is horrible for the environment as well as dangerous for anyone else using the water. I know you meant well, but someone may interpret that as a suggestion.

Robert J Samples Loc: Round Rock, Texas

Ojdidit: You are correct. No one should do anything until they check their state's fishing laws. Since I grew up before "written language or laws" there were no rules about this! You should not do anything harmful to the environment even if there are not laws forbidding its practice in your state. Just Sayin....RJS

Michael Welsh Loc: Indiana

I make my own honey holes as you said. I use old umbrella stands and PVC. I make them 40 inches high and the limbs are 40 inches also. Cost is about $10 each. These are very easy to make. Saw at Cabelas their fish attackers cost starting at $130. I have put around 30 of them in a lake I fish in Indiana. I use PVC so I don’t loss my jigs.

Robert J Samples Loc: Round Rock, Texas

Michael: I expect your setting up your own honey holes has paid super dividends in crappie. A lot of fishermen could improve their catch if they would get busy and create their own. Just Sayin...RJS

Michael Welsh Loc: Indiana

I have only had these structures in the water for about a month. My wife and I went out I week after they were in. Caught just a few. We don’t have a slot limit in Indiana. I wish we did. As the temperature starts to drop. I feel we will be tacking some nice crappies off these structures. Will be back out this coming weekend. I only get out about twice a month. Will let you know how we do.

Robert J Samples Loc: Round Rock, Texas

Michael: Way to go, Man! I would have thought a Crappie hole would have taken longer to draw fish to it, but sounds like yours is already working. Good on you, that is like having a hog you are fatting for the fall. I suggest you take along a can of dog food, or similiar to sort of entice your fish. Get your freezer ready. Just Sayin...RJS