I always enjoy the fall of the year for angling since the fish tend to bite much better. The cool weather and frequent overcast skies oftentimes add up to a great fishing trip.

Some of you crappie fishermen probably have heard this time of year referred to as a "false spawn" which occurs when the crappie tend to come up into the shallows to feed just like they do during early spring. I’ve already received reports they’re biting really good on Lake Blackshear.

Dad and I have only been crappie fishing a few times in the past couple of weeks but we have had a little luck. I haven't been able to get out on the main lake because of the wind blowing but we have been under Smoak Bridge pitching jigs.

While we haven't been catching big numbers what we have been boating are quality crappie. And just the other day, dad hauled in a nice size striper that weighed around 5-6 pounds. You might think this is small for a striper but when you catch one on four-pound test line with ultra-lite tackle as he did you’ve got a pretty good fight on your hands.

Reports I’ve gotten from other anglers are that crappie are being caught at about the 12-15 foot depth range. It’s about 50-50 on catching them with jigs or minnows. I personally prefer jigs.

The best suggestion I can offer is ti try and find some type of structure that is around 15-20 foot deep and cast to it or use a minnow to entice those slabs.

Please be sure to read next week’s column. I had a friend send me some pictures of him and his daughter fishing in the mountains and I’ll be telling you about that and will have a picture if space permits.

In the meantime, with both the crappie and catfish biting well in these parts now would be a great time to take a kid out and show them the enjoyment of catching fish.

Until next time, may your catch be large and plentiful and may God bless you all.

Rusty Parker is a guest outdoors columnist for this newspaper. He may be written to at P.O.. Box 1058, Cordele, Ga., 31010.