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Paddlin’ with Madalyn: Setup for Successful Springtime Slab-Hunting Story and photo by Madalyn Roberts If you’re a fisherman finding yourself on the fence about that kayak purchase, take this as your sign. For several years now, I’ve truly enjoyed every minute of crappie fishing out of my Nucanoe in all seasons, but most especially the […]

Crappie have excellent camouflage, making them difficult to see even when in clear water. But astute anglers can learn to spy these calico panfish on their shallow spawning beds and catch them by sight fishing.   Crappie Basics: Sight Fishing for Spring Slabs Photos and Story by Keith Sutton Many anglers rely on sight fishing […]

Several years ago, on a trip to Truman Lake in Missouri, high water had scattered crappie. Crappie found protection and food in thick, flooded, green vegetation. Seen here are crappie pros Travis and Charles Bunting probing the thick limbs of willow trees and surrounding submerged brush.   Battling High Water Story and photos by Tim […]

Berkley Powerbait Minnotator Tie on, cast out, catch fish. Simple as that. The Berkley Powerbait Minnotator comes prerigged on a jighead with sticky-sharp Berkley Fusion 19 hooks. The 2- and 2.5-inch versions are great crappie catchers. These baits feature incredible realism with baitfish designs printed right on the plastic bodies. The club tail helps the [...]

A late-winter fishing trip on Arkansas’ DeGray Lake often produces big stringers of good-eating crappie for anglers like Keith Sutton and Alex Hinson.   Spring in the Ouachitas: DeGray and Greeson on Fire Story and photos By Keith Sutton Late February and early March in the Ouachita Mountains can fool you. The air may still […]

With its segmented body and slim profile that includes a scent channel in the belly, the Itty Bit Swim’R Lights Out lived up to its name when paired with an ultralight-action rod like Leland Lure’s TCB rod by B’n’M Fishing. Photo by Madalyn Roberts   Bobby Garland Crappie Baits: Winning with Plastics Suited for Any […]

Paddlin’ with Madalyn: Artificial vs. Live Bait & Storage Options on a Kayak Story and photos by Madalyn Roberts The YakAttack BlackPak Pro and ShortStak combo is the ultimate win when it comes to kayak storage. I store four large tackle boxes, rain gear, first aid kit, anchors, etc. in the Pak, while the ShortStak [...]

The Great Outdoors: Old and Cold By Larry Whiteley February has always been cold where I live in Missouri. I have lived there all my life. But, to me, it seems the older I get, the colder I get. That is a problem when you love crappie fishing as much as I do. When I [...]

That unmistakable stripe is the calling card of a blacknose crappie.   Crappie Basics: What Crappie Is That? Story and photo by Keith Sutton In many waters, anglers catch crappie that have a dark brown or black stripe running under the chin, over the nose and across part of the back. These beautifully marked fish, […]

You catch ’em. Science studies ’em. Anglers are needed for Florida’s black crappie project at Tenoroc.   Anglers Needed for Florida Crappie Project Source: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is inviting local anglers to take part in a new community science project designed to improve black [...]

The grin tells the story. Spring is the perfect time to get the family out to enjoy time on the water. Khloe Moe displays an Alabama crappie.   Prespawn to Post-Spawn Transitions Story and photos by Tim Huffman Fun awaits fishermen who solve the puzzle of finding crappie from before the spawn to after. The […]

Capt. Rodney Donald relies on FFS to find big schools of crappie quickly on Lake Hartwell, an overlooked crappie-fishing treasure.   Lake Hartwell: An Overlooked Crappie Destination Story and photos by Terry Madewell Lake Hartwell, a deep, clear lake in the upstate portion of South Carolina, has earned a reputation as a premier striped bass [...]