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A Special Christmas Gift   Kris, a friend of mine who is also a fishing guide on local lakes, called me the other day and invited me to go crappie fishing with him. That was not unusual. We usually go together a couple of times every winter when his guiding business is slow. He told […]

A confirmed minnow-man, Capt. Travis Bradshaw relies on live minnows to put slab crappie in his boat during cold weather.   A Crappie Guide’s Tactics for Winter Live Bait Fishing Photos and Story by Terry Madewell One of the appealing attributes of crappie fishing is that anglers have a variety of options that enable them […]

  Lure of the Month: Power Vibe by Terry Madewell Lipless soft baits are an excellent choice for many species of fish, and crappie are no exception. The smaller, crappie-size lures often have weight built into the bait’s head, eliminating the need to attach a soft plastic profile body to a jighead. It’s a slight […]

Jackson Lake and Jackson Lake Island provided the perfect locale for a fishing day with local youngsters during CrappieNOW’s 2025 media camp.   Alabama’s Jackson Lake Island: A Hidden Gem for Anglers and Families Photos and Story by Keith Sutton CrappieNOW editor Richard Simms shoots photos while walking through the Town of Spectre, part of [...]

Utilizing electronics for ice fishing can be incredibly productive. And a good portable shelter combined with a small propane heater can make ice fishing downright warm and toasty.   Frozen Lakes, Fiery Bites: The Ice Belt’s Best Crappie Fishing Secrets Photos and Story by Rob McDonald The time is here when fishing in North America’s […]

Mississippi’s Ross Barnett Reservoir may not have the same reputation for trophy slabs as Grenada, but as outdoor writer Mike Giles shows, it’s got its fair share fine fish. ((Photo courtesy Mike Giles)   Crappie Basics: A Winter Hotspot in Mississippi by Tim Huffman   Mississippi is a well-known big crappie hotspot. But we don’t […]

Dan Dannenmueller is working trees along an old fence row. Factors for picking the best side to fish might include light penetration, side with deepest water, current, wind direction, and sun direction. Choosing correctly determines success or failure. (Photo: Tim Huffman) Choosing Sides Photos and Story by Tim Huffman In two separate instances recorded in […]

Thank God for Our Veterans   Many veterans attend our church. We always take time to honor them for their service on Veterans’ Day and any other opportunity we might have throughout the year. We have a wall dedicated to our veterans. There is one very special 100-year-old World War II veteran named Marvin. If […]

Jordan Lake in North Carolina is loaded with crappie, and veteran guide Travis Bradshaw said slab-catching potential is great during fall and winter. (Photo: Terry Madewell) Jordan Lake – The Tarheel State’s Crappie Mecca by Terry Madewell Tucked away in the middle of North Carolina is one of the top crappie fisheries in the state. […]

Huk Airweight KC Printed Hoodie Polyester and spandex are two stretchable fabrics. Their stretch and breathability helped Huk build a sun hoodie that is perfect for fishing and allows you to move in all sorts of angles and direction without any bunching or restriction. The Huk Airweight Hoodie is super lightweight and comfortable. It’s built [...]

While others pack up for the season, dedicated crappie anglers stay on the water, chasing winter slabs in serene, frost-kissed waters. (Photo: Keith Sutton)   Winter Crappie Hotspots: Lakes That Stay Active by Keith Sutton When winter sets in and temperatures drop, many anglers stash their gear away, waiting for spring’s warmer days to arrive. […]

Magical October Days During the recent long, hot summer, most of my crappie fishing was at night under lights so I could escape the heat of the day.  I had some successful hot and sweaty trips. The crappie were delicious as always. I am tired of the heat and humidity, though.  I am ready for […]