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Beginner Level Articles, Videos, & Tips

Product Buzz, by Scott Mackenthun

Berkley Powerbait Drip Minnow 3"   Realism of plastic minnows just took a giant leap forward. The Berkley Powerbait Drip Minnow features high-definition true colors, molded scale patterns, glitter flecks that mimic real fish, realistic eyes and even internal guts that are visible on translucent color patterns. If these minnows looked any more real, they’d [...]

Paddlin’ with Madalyn: Finding the Right Setup

Paddlin’ with Madalyn: Back to the Basics By Madalyn Roberts   As my knowledge of different fishing techniques continues to grow, I feel more prepared to set myself up for success when I get out on the water. However much to my chagrin, not all the techniques I’ve picked up are easily replicated when fishing […]

Crappie Basics: Finding and Catching Crappie in Cold Weather

November is prime time for catching slab crappie. Knowing where fish move as water temperatures fall can help beginners find more of them.   Crappie Basics: Finding and Catching Crappie in Cold Weather Story and photo by Keith Sutton   November can be one of the most productive months for crappie fishing. As summer’s heat […]

Crappie Basics: The Well-Stocked Tackle Box

The author’s tackle box has several plastic boxes with dividers to create multiple compartments for keeping a variety of jigs in different colors, sizes and styles. Crappie Basics: The Well-Stocked Tackle Box By Keith Sutton   There are innumerable styles of tackle boxes on today’s market. The one you select will depend largely on how […]

Six Fall Crappie Lakes You May Not Know About

Fall crappie are popular targets for many Kansas anglers at locations like beautiful Fall River Lake. (Photo courtesy of TravelKS.com)   Six Fall Crappie Lakes You May Not Know About By Keith Sutton   Ask a dozen serious crappie anglers where they would go for a fall fishing trip, and chances are you’ll hear many […]

Paddlin’ with Madalyn: Finding the Right Setup

Paddlin’ with Madalyn: Stay Safe, Be Seen by Madalyn Roberts Before taking a kayak out on the water, be sure to familiarize yourself with the light requirements for your setup. From sunset to sunrise—and during other times of restricted visibility such as rain or heavy fog—kayaks that are paddled by hand or pedal-powered require some [...]

Crappie Basics: Match the Hatch for More Crappie

Matching your jig to the size and shape of the main crappie forage can greatly increase your number of hookups.   Crappie Basics: Match the Hatch for More Crappie By Keith Sutton   One of the simplest ways to improve your crappie fishing is to give the fish what they’re already looking for. That means […]

Crappie Basics: Four Simple Tips for Better Long-Pole Jigging

Long-pole jigging works great for catching crappie in brush and timber. Crappie Basics: Four Simple Tips for Better Long-Pole Jigging With Tim Huffman, MonsterCrappie.com   Fishing a jig with a long pole is one of the most effective ways to catch crappie around brush, timber and other cover. But a few simple refinements can make […]

Future Fisherman Foundation Gets New Home With Fishing’s Future

Future Fisherman Foundation Gets New Home With Fishing’s Future Courtesy of The Fishing Wire   In September, Fishing’s Future, a national leader in family‑centered angling education, announced the acquisition of the Future Fisherman Foundation (F3), an organization whose programs have supported national angler recruitment, educator training and youth fishing initiatives for four decades. This historic […]

Arkansas’ Lake Ouachita: Where Smart Crappie Fishing Pays Off

Oklahoma crappie pro Todd Huckabee used a detailed game plan to help him find Lake Ouachita’s clear-water slabs the first time he fished this huge impoundment.   Arkansas’ Lake Ouachita: Where Smart Crappie Fishing Pays Off Story and photos by Keith Sutton   Some crappie lakes give up their secrets easily. Lake Ouachita isn’t one [...]

Tips for Slow Days

When the crappie bite gets tough, changing the direction of your presentation can sometimes make all the difference.   Tips for Slow Days By Bernard Williams Photos by Keith Sutton   Every crappie fisherman has experienced one of those days. You know exactly what I’m talking about—the days when nothing you try seems to work. [...]

Crappie Basics: September Fishing Tips From Kyle Schoenherr

Kyle Schoenherr says September crappie success starts with understanding the lake you’re fishing. Crappie Basics: September Fishing Tips From Kyle Schoenherr Kyle Schoenherr of Oakdale, Illinois is one of America’s top crappie anglers. With tournament partner Rodney Neuhaus, he’s won three National Crappie Championships. He’s also has had more than 25 “Top 3” finishes to […]