Crappie Kids Corner

Too Much Screen Time by Larry Whiteley In today’s world, we spend too much time watching or using screens of smartphones, tablets, gaming consoles, TVs, and computers – and yes, with forward-facing sonar, even fish finders. Most children aged 8-12 in the United States spend 4-6 hours a day looking at screens. Teenagers spend up […]

A new book soon to hit the shelves strives to teach youngsters that every species of fish is special, whether it is like crappie and highly-sought after by anglers or whether it’s a trash fish” that anglers despise. All Fish are Awesome by Richard Simms, CrappieNOW Editor There is a new book about to hit […]

FISHING BUDDY Six-year-old Hudson is excited. He is going crappie fishing with Papa Larry for the first time today. His fishing partner is not his real Grandpa. He lives next door. Hudson has called him Papa Larry since he was little. They loaded the coolers, snacks, and fishing equipment in the truck and were away […]

The view as Lindsey sets out of one of her biggest hunts ever. But like most outdoor excursions, this adventure and the excitement that came with it really began long before she showed up for the hunt.   The Reel Deal: Chasing Swamp Monsters by Lindsey Lucas   Many people tend to write just about […]

Lindsey loves to fish for crappie in the month of September – especially alongside her father, Kody. She highly recommends everyone try September crappie fishing.     The Reel Deal: Hooked on September Crappie by Lindsey Lucas   September has always been one of my favorite months for crappie fishing. The days are still warm, […]

The Reel Deal: Baiting the Beasts by Lindsey Lucas   Here in Missouri, our favorite fish to catch is crappie, also known as papermouths. From time to time, however, we all tend to want to branch out and fish for something different. Trust me, there are LOTS of different things to catch in Biloxi, Mississippi. […]

Lindsey says that many times storytellers don’t always tell the WHOLE story, leaving out some of the things that didn’t go quite right. On this particular day, crappie were caught but there were some not-so-fun trials and tribulations getting there.   The Reel Deal: That Day That Got Away by Lindsey Lucas   It was […]

Lindsey Lucas and her Dad, Kody, with a few crappie they put in the boat with some proven techniques.               Unlocking the Secrets of June by Lindsey Lucas Crappie fishing in June must be one of my favorite times to fish. The warm weather combined with family time and […]

Lindsey shares her experience at one of her favorite tournaments to fish. She also shares some exciting news that not many 16-year-old kids get to experience.               Big Mama Memories I saw my rod tip dip and as I went to grab it, my Dad also yelled, “Fish on.” […]

We might be in the midst of prime Spring fishing, but Reel Deal columnist Lindsey Lucas keeps having flashbacks to cold weather slabs.    The Reel Deal: Flashback to Cold Weather Slabs by Lindsey Lucas   As most crappie fishermen are looking forward to, or already enjoying the prime spring crappie fishing, I keep having […]

IGFA, the organization responsible for keeping official world record fishing listings, has established a special world record category for kids only. (IGFA Photo)   IGFA Establishes World Records for Kids Only by Richard Simms   The International Game Fish Association (IGFA), the global conservation nonprofit that manages world records for all game fish species worldwide, […]

Lindsey goes ice fishing for the first time ever. Accompanied by her mother, Rachel, and father, Kody, the Lucas family was hosted by Hank Kohler on a 3-day adventure on the ice.     The Reel Deal: Snow Dogging for Minnesota Slabs by Lindsey Lucas   Minnesota is known as the North Star State because [...]

Perhaps in honor of Valentine’s Day, Reel Deal columnist Lindsey Lucas could resist giving her crappie a little kiss. Fishing with her Dad, Kody (left), and CrappieNOW publisher Dan Dannenmueller, they found some cold winter crappie.                 Quick and Easy Winter Crappie by Lindsey Lucas   It’s that […]

The day after homecoming Lindsey was sporting very pretty nails. But that didn’t stop her from spending a cold day on the water with her dad, hoping to win a nice paycheck.     The Reel Deal: Pretty Nails and Flipping Bails by Lindsey Lucas   “Dress warm, it’s only going to be 32-degrees,” my [...]

Lindsey Lucas shows off a respectable white crappie. While not extremely distinct, one way to distinguish white crappie from black crappie is the pattern of vertical bars or stripes on the side.     The Reel Deal: Different Kinds of Crappie by Lindsey Lucas   “Set the hook,” shouted Jordan Isaacs with Freedom Guide Service. [...]

Lindsey Lucas, her Dad, Kody Lucas and Guide Jordan Issacs show off some of the crappie caught on Bull Shoals Lake recently. Unfortunately, not pictured is “The one that got away.”     The Reel Deal: The One That Got Away by Lindsey Lucas   Every fisherman, or woman, has a story about “The one [...]

The Reel Deal: Balancing School and Work by Lindsey Lucas   I started to feel the fish bite, the tell-tale “thump” at the end of the line that anglers live for. I went to set the hook only to realize, embarrassingly, the “thump” I felt was my teacher tapping on my shoulder to wake up […]

The Reel Deal: Summertime Crappie by Lindsey Lucas   We’re all anxious for Fall, but if you’ve ever roasted under the sun out in a September dove hunting field, you know summer is still with us. But don’t worry – the hotter it gets the more feverishly crappie will seek out crankbaits. Since we started […]

The Reel Deal: Trout or Crappie by Lindsey Lucas   When I am writing and watching videos of fishing, there are always things that are missing – in my mind anyway. For example, you rarely see anyone getting a hook embedded in their shoulder. Let me tell you a story about a time my dad, [...]

The Reel Deal: Why I Enjoy the Outdoors by Lindsey Lucas   Fishing and being in the outdoors are amazing ways to spend quality time with friends and family. We have a big family so sometimes it is hard to get everyone together at the same time. We have ponds behind our house to fish […]

The Reel Deal: LIS on Lake of the Ozarks by Lindsey Lucas   Lake of the Ozarks is one of the largest lakes in Missouri. It is more than 84 miles long with 1,100 miles of shoreline. In places it reaches 130 feet deep. The huge lake offers great fishing for a variety of species […]

The Reel Deal: Spider-Rigging by Lindsey Lucas   (Editor’s Note: Please welcome a new writer to the already long-list of CrappieNOW contributors. Lindsey Lucas brings a new spin to our ezine pages. At only 15 years old, this young lady is already obsessed with all things outdoors. She comes by her outdoor passion honestly, having […]

Chasten Whitfield is a young lady going above and beyond to help other youngsters and fishing is her greatest tool.   Chasten Whitfield works to help disadvantaged kids forget their troubles for one day, usually by sharing the joys of fishing. “Fishing is the tool I use to reach out to kids and get them […]

Crappie Kids – How Old is That Crappie, by Scott Mackenthun by Scott Mackenthun   CrappieNOW contributor Scott MacKenthun is also a professional fisheries biologist in Minnesota. Today Quinn MacKenthun joins her Dad to explore exactly how fisheries biologist can determine the age of a crappie. It is essential for biologists to be able to […]

Crappie Kids – Crappie Prepared to Chow Down by Scott Mackenthun   Quinn and Cora MacKenthun join their Dad, Scott, to explain how crappie are specially adapted to feed on bait fish… and hopefully your lures or minnows.

by Scott Mackenthun Inexperienced crappie anglers, especially kids, often don’t realize there are two species of crappie – black crappie and white crappie. If you’re not familiar with them, on a quick glance you may not see the difference. Sometimes even experienced anglers think the primary difference is actually the color – black versus white. […]

Walking into a bait shop with mom and dad, young anglers see a lot of different live baits for sale. In some parts of the country, they are likely to see a tank full of small fish for sale labeled “crappie minnows.” This month’s kid’s corner answers the question “what is a crappie minnow?”

Okay kids, you need to always be very careful whenever hooks are flying through the air. But, if you fish long enough, you or one of your friends is bound to accidentally get hooked. If it is an exceptionally large hook or in a difficult-to-reach spot, always head for a doctor’s office or emergency room.  […]

For kids, many times collecting bait is half the fun of fishing… especially digging worms. But there are lots of ways to get bait, depending on what kind of fishing you want to do. Lots of folks love to use dough balls. They are especially good for carp and catfish. Learning how to make fish […]

Holly and Madison had a really good day fishing with CrappieNOW Editor/Guide Richard Simms. Richard decided at one point to “roll video” and the pressure was on these young ladies to produce. Could the youngsters come through? Watch and see. We guarantee some smiles.

It happens in lots of families, and to lots of kids. Parents or some kids can’t wait to go fishing. They’re always chomping at the bit. But other youngsters might not be very excited about the idea, especially if they are involved with other extracurricular activities. It is important to not pressure or push. Just […]

“Together helping our children catch their dreams” Kids Fishing and Education announced Emily Stocking as the new Managing Director. Her parents owned Everhart’s Tackle and Sporting Goods most of her childhood so she grew up in the outdoor industry. “I have fond memories of hearing fish stories, stocking shelves and bagging jigs. The smell of […]

RECRUITING, RETAINING AND REACTIVATING ANGLERS GAINING MOMENTUM   (As Reported by Fishing Tackle Retailer)   Recruiting, retaining and reactivating (R3) anglers and boaters is continuing to gain momentum, both in helping to reach the 60 in 60 goal and in working to secure valuable funding for state conservation programs. It’s RBFF’s vision that every state […]

According to www.fishingtackleretailer.com, Bass Pro Shops founder Johnny Morris challenged families everywhere to get off the couch and head outdoors to discover the fun of fishing this summer. The donation of 40,000 rods and reels to nonprofit organizations help kids from all backgrounds connect to the outdoors. The effort is part of Gone Fishing, a […]

Twenty Sixth Annual Camp 7 Kids Fishing Day Attracts Over 350 Youth Saturday, June 10th was Michigan’s Free Fishing Weekend along with National Fishing Week and the NPAA and Learn 2 Fish With Us were present helping to educate youth and families on the skills needed to fish.  Kids Fishing Day was held at Camp […]