OPENING CAST JUNE 2026
Same Fish, Different Game
June has a way of separating the folks who like to fish from the ones who are going fishing no matter what the thermometer says.
In most areas of the country, the easy days of spring are in the rearview mirror. The banks that were crowded with crappie a few weeks ago have thinned out. Some anglers have traded rods for air conditioning, convinced the bite has slowed to a crawl. Truth is, the fish didn’t go anywhere; they just changed their address.
Ambush Crappie Fishing: Sliding to Slabs on a Telescopic Rod Story and photos by Madalyn Roberts
The floor of Ronnie Capps’ boat is littered with some of his most-used B’n’M fishing rods. He advises, however, that targeting fish using the Ambush rod is his favorite method of fishing these days. The diamond pattern on the rod reduces the chance of water causing the rod pieces to stick together, making the Ambush […]
Summertime Slabs Story and photos by Terry Madewell
Captain Jake Futia said crappie are available all year, but anglers must follow their seasonal movements. Summertime Slabs Story and photos by Terry Madewell Hot summer weather often leaves crappie anglers reflecting on productive spring fishing when the annual crappie migration to the shallows to spawn was underway. Warming water had crappie active and usually […]
Cheat Sheet for Year-Round Crappie Story and photos by Tim Huffman
Dale Hollow guide Corey Thomas finds crappie in submerged trees and brushpiles. He stays back from the cover, uses a lightweight hair jig and lets the jig fall to just above the cover before starting his slow retrieve. He says it can be a year-round tactic by concentrating on cover at the right depth for […]
Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame Story and photos by Tim Huffman
The iconic four-and-a-half-story-tall leaping muskellunge at the Freshwater Hall of Fame Museum in Hayward, Wisconsin. Jeanne Huffman is waving down from the observation deck in the mouth of the musky. Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame Story and photos by Tim Huffman The Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame recognizes people who have contributed […]
Crappie Basics: Fishing a Road Runner By Keith Sutton
Right where it belongs—proof that a Road Runner, fished slow or worked just right, is hard for any crappie to resist. (Photo by Keith Sutton) Crappie Basics: Fishing a Road Runner By Keith Sutton Bert Hall, the Missouri Ozarks stream fisherman who invented the Blakemore Road Runner spinner, also crafted the wise slogan, “You can’t […]
Ohio Angler Lands Record Hybrid Crappie By Keith Sutton
A quick trip before work turned unforgettable when Jesse Miller landed this massive 4.27-pound hybrid crappie from Ohio’s Great Miami River. (courtesy of Jesse Miller) Ohio Angler Lands Record Hybrid Crappie By Keith Sutton What started as a quick fishing trip before work turned into a catch that has rewritten Ohio’s record books. On April […]
Paddlin’ with Madalyn: The Importance of Using a Kayak Safety Checklist
Paddlin’ with Madalyn—The Importance of Using a Kayak Safety Checklist Photos and Story By Madalyn Roberts I’ve been crappie fishing out of my NuCanoe Frontier 12 kayak for several seasons now, and while I wish I could proclaim every trip out on the water goes off without a hitch, that would be a far cry […]
CN How To June 2026 Crappie Dan’s Playbook, Bobby Garland New Colors
This year, Bobby Garland Soft Plastic colors continue to deliver the proven patterns anglers trust while introducing fresh, fish-catching options designed for today's changing water conditions. From natural shad imitations to vibrant reaction colors, the 2026 lineup offers versatility and confidence for crappie anglers looking to maximize success on the water.