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Action Glow Cups  Action Glow Cups were created by a Utah angler with a mind for figuratively building a better mouse trap. Anyone who fishes after dark or in low light conditions with glowing jigs knows how important it is to have a jig charger. Most chargers require you to turn them on, or drop [...]

Paddlin’ with Madalyn: Targeting Postspawn Crappie from a Kayak Photos and Story By Madalyn Roberts As crappie head to deeper water after the spring spawn, that’s the most opportune time for a new kayak angler to determine their preferred technique of fishing. During this postspawn period, anglers can fish just about any way they prefer […]

Senior writer Tim Huffman knows that small structural changes often attract slab crappie. That one-foot drop, that hidden ditch, that barely noticeable edge—that’s where big spring crappie like this stack up. Learn how to find them and you’ll catch more fish, plain and simple. Crappie Basics: Tips for Shallow Spring Fishing Photo and Story by […]

Brad Chappel is a pulling expert who focuses on Mississippi lakes. His setup for pulling jigs is an efficient and effective way to pull. Three Tactics for Non-Forward-Facing Sonar Crappie Photos and Story by Tim Huffman Forward-facing sonar is efficient and a great tool for catching crappie. However, not everybody wants to spend all day […]

Dropping a 1/8-ounce jig in front of a desert reservoir slab crappie has been a specialty of Randy Howton. His love for crappie fishing and taking others out started after the passing of his father and many hours dedicated to perfecting his skills with live imaging sonar. Arizona Crappie at a Distance By Scott Mackenthun […]

Black crappie (top) and white crappie (bottom) may look similar, but their spring behavior isn’t the same. Water clarity and habitat often determine which species is most catchable. When to Target Black Crappie Instead of White Story and photos by Keith Sutton Across much of the South and Midwest, anglers are blessed—and sometimes confused—by lakes […]

Tournament angler Dennis Outlaw said confidence in the ability to work out a pattern keeps anglers focused until they find and catch fish. Muddy Water Crappie Story and photos by Terry Madewell Tournament crappie anglers are a hardy lot and have learned to cope with adverse conditions to consistently catch crappie. But not all challenges […]

Oak River Media captures the essence of what it means to be a “good student” in a Brushpile Fishing classroom as Penny Cox, Sarah Baker, Lisa Weakley and Kristen Anderson prove to be diligent notetakers. With the volume of information being tossed around daily, jotting it down is the only hope for retaining as much […]

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 [...]