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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 [...]

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 […]

Guide Kris Nelson (right) and his customers know that Stockton Lake’s fall crappie fishing is something to smile about.   Fall Crappie on Missouri’s Stockton Lake By Brent Frazee Photos courtesy of Tandem Fly Outfitters   It’s hard to imagine that a 25,000-acre reservoir in the Missouri Ozarks is somewhat of a secret to crappie […]

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 […]

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 [...]

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. [...]

Small farm ponds can produce big crappie with proper management.   Farm Pond Crappie By Brent Frazee Photos courtesy of Jason Harris   You won’t find Jason Harris’ favorite crappie-fishing spot on the Kansas state map. He fishes reservoirs such as Council Grove, Melvern and Pomona, especially in the winter. But when he wants to […]

Northland Tackle Deep Vee Spin Jig Northland’s underspin jig, the Deep Vee Spin, is a catcher. Cast it or troll it and you’ll catch fish. This jig shines in crystal clear waters where its flashy willow blade makes all the difference in getting fish’s attention and getting bit. The jig has a keeled body shape [...]

Fishing remains one of America’s favorite outdoor pastimes, but a new report reveals some surprising trends that could shape the future of the sport.   Special Report Provides Fishing Insights Source: American Sportfishing Association/FTR Industry News   The American Sportfishing Association (ASA) recently announced the results of the 2026 Special Report on Fishing. In total, […]

Falling barometric pressure and cloudy skies ahead of a cold front often trigger aggressive feeding activity from crappie. Photo by Keith Sutton   Mastering Fall Fronts: Crappie Strategies When the Weather Swings By Keith Sutton Early fall is a season of transition on crappie waters. Summer’s heat begins loosening its grip, cool nights arrive more […]

A careful release starts with keeping fish in the water as much as possible. During hot summer weather, minimizing air exposure can significantly improve a fish’s chances of survival. Photo by Keith Sutton 8 Tips for Warm-Season Fish Care Source: TheWaterWire.com Fishing during the heat of summer means going the extra mile to make sure […]

The exterior of Wonderbird Spirits welcomes visitors to one of America’s only grain-to-glass gin distilleries, where Mississippi Delta rice is transformed into award-winning handcrafted gin. photo by Kyleigh Touro One of a Kind: Discovering the Hidden Gems of Oxford, Mississippi By Kyleigh Touro When people think of Oxford, Mississippi, they often picture the historic Square, […]

Berkley Drip Swimmer Berkley has your trailer of choice with their Drip Swimmer. The 3-inch version is perfect for crappie anglers who go drop shotting, swim shotting, strolling, casting on jig heads or who use them as a trailer on other baits. Leave the minnows behind and grab these ultra-realistic plastic minnows in 14 fish-catching [...]

Using lively minnows can mean the difference between catching lots of nice slabs or none. Keeping Minnows Alive and Lively Story and photos by Keith Sutton Minnows are the best natural baits for crappie. No other offering can tempt slabs more consistently than a lively baitfish struggling on the hook. But there’s a catch: dead […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 [...]

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 […]

Anthony Mondo is a hardcore bass fisherman. He was actually fishing a bass tournament when he caught this huge black crappie on Chickamauga Lake. The fish was only one 1/100th of an ounce shy of four pounds on certified scales. (Photo courtesy of Anthony Mondo)   4-pound Tennessee River Crappie Stuns Veteran Anglers by Capt. […]

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 […]

Tournament angler Steve Brown keeping an eye on his electronics. The response of postspawn crappie can quickly become evident when using LiveScope. (photo by Richard Hines)   Downsize For Postspawn Crappie By Richard Hines One of my longtime fishing buddies, Joe McDonald, used to say, “When the bite is slow, downsize the bait and upsize […]

Paddlin’ with Madalyn: Keeping Hypothermia at Bay Story and photo by Madalyn Roberts   It’s always prudent to take extra precautions when fishing in cold temperatures—all the time— but most especially when kayak fishing where chances of capsizing are much greater than when fishing from a boat. If you are someone who kayak fishes regularly […]

A late-winter fishing trip on Arkansas’ DeGray Lake often produces big stringers of good-eating crappie for anglers like Keith Sutton and Alex Hinson.   Spring in the Ouachitas: DeGray and Greeson on Fire Story and photos By Keith Sutton Late February and early March in the Ouachita Mountains can fool you. The air may still […]

You catch ’em. Science studies ’em. Anglers are needed for Florida’s black crappie project at Tenoroc.   Anglers Needed for Florida Crappie Project Source: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is inviting local anglers to take part in a new community science project designed to improve black [...]

Capt. Rodney Donald relies on FFS to find big schools of crappie quickly on Lake Hartwell, an overlooked crappie-fishing treasure.   Lake Hartwell: An Overlooked Crappie Destination Story and photos by Terry Madewell Lake Hartwell, a deep, clear lake in the upstate portion of South Carolina, has earned a reputation as a premier striped bass [...]

Prespawn travel routes often produce some of the heaviest slabs of the season as big females move toward the bedding grounds.   Finding and Fishing Prespawn Travel Routes Story and photos by Keith Sutton Every spring, as the lengthening days begin nudging water temperatures upward, crappie shift into a pattern that savvy anglers anticipate all […]

Will Hinson said size and profile matter when trying to make a finicky crappie eat an artificial lure. Cracking the Crappie Code: Lure Size and Profile Matter Story and photos by Terry Madewell When tempting a finicky crappie to eat an artificial lure, anglers must meet the needs of the fish – not make the […]

January or February are typically the coldest months in the South, but anglers willing to dress warmly and bear the low temperatures can find plenty of slab crappie biting in the region’s top lakes.   Chasing Winter Slabs: A Southeastern Crappie Road Trip Story and photos by Keith Sutton When most of the country is [...]

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 […]

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 [...]

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. […]

With a flick of the wrist and the precision of a surgeon, Lee Pitts launches a jig under a low dock, a move that often ends with a thump and a slab on the line. (Photo: Richard Simms, CrappieNOW Editor)   Join Expert Anglers on a Crap(pie) Shoot by Keith Sutton It was more years [...]

Pro Staff Member Jason Cook has no problem keeping a close eye on his forward-facing sonar mounted on Cornfield gear at the Kentucky Lake Demonstration Day. (Photo: Richard Hines)   Cornfield Fishing Gear: Built for the Water, Backed by Experience by Richard Hines A typical Cornfield mount set-up for a Garmin Livescope and depth finder. [...]

Covering water with confidence, Kent Driscoll (front of boat) plays the odds in September with spider rigs and live minnows. (Photo: Keith Sutton)   Cracking the September Crappie Code by Keith Sutton September can be a puzzle for crappie anglers to piece together. It is a month marked with shifting water temperatures, fish movement and […]

Richard Solomon enjoys pulling jigs to find and catch crappie like this one. However, when fishing gets tough because they are on bottom, he uses a super slow technique and says, “You must smack them in the face with a bait.” (Photo: Tim Huffman)   Crack the Code on Sluggish Crappie by Tim Huffman Hot […]

Trolling crankbaits is a great technique for locating slab crappie in Fort Loudoun or Chickamauga Lakes. Both lakes are literally in the backdoor of major metropolitan areas, although surprisingly, not many crappie anglers use this productive technique.   Big-City Crappie: Urban Hotspots You Can Reach Fast Story and photos by Keith Sutton Living in a [...]

Will Hinson works his jig right over the top of a big school of crappie using FFS to guide his effort.   Is Forward Facing Sonar Right for You? Story and photos by Terry Madewell When fish-catching technology leaps forward, anglers watch closely. Once proven effective, the temptation for anglers to incorporate the new technology […]

With eyes focused on his mapping and his forward-facing sonar, Steve Brown searches for crappie in new water. Prior to launching the boat, Brown has already reviewed maps for potential locations to find crappie. (Photo: Richard Hines)   Fishing New Water: When, Where and How by Richard Hines Every angler has faced the challenge; you [...]

Kirby Ham, a guide in eastern Kansas, knows that big crappie can be caught in the heat of summer if you can locate the thermocline. (Photo courtesy Kirby Ham)   Don’t Sweat It – Summer Slabs Will Still Bite by Brent Frazee Kirby Ham doesn’t dread the dog days of summer the way many crappie […]

The likelihood of catching slab crappie like this pair caught by crappie pro Mike Walters attracts anglers from throughout the U.S. to Grenada Lake and other Mississippi waters. (Photo: Keith Sutton)   America’s Top States for Slab Crappie by Keith Sutton Crappie fishing is a beloved pastime across the United States, but not all waters […]

The legendary Mr. Crappie, Wally Marshall, knows that big crappie can still be caught once the spawn is over. (Photo courtesy Wally Marshall) Crappie Spawn is Over – Good Fishing is NOT by Brent Frazee The crappie spawn is winding down and many fishermen are packing away their ultralight gear and jig boxes. But not […]

Savvy oxbow anglers fish jigs and minnows around cypress knees and buttresses to coax bites from their quarry. (Photo: Keith Sutton)   Fishing the Oxbows by Keith Sutton Fast-paced fishing for heavyweight crappie, beautiful scenery, easy access, a get-away-from-it-all atmosphere: these are some of the things crappie anglers look for when seeking a first-rate fishing […]

Sometimes good weather can be your enemy, inspiring more competition on the water. But crappie guide Kirby Hamm says, “I don’t get mad at people who share the same passion that I do. Many of us have encouraged others to get in the sport to make it stronger and to enjoy what we enjoy.”   […]

Abundant crappie await anglers who fish the beautiful oxbow lakes within Arkansas’ Dale Bumpers White River National Wildlife Refuge. These popular panfish are caught using a variety of techniques, including wade fishing, vertical jigging, spider rigging and casting beneath shallow-water cypress trees. (Photo: Keith Sutton)   Destination: Arkansas’ White River National Wildlife Refuge by Keith […]

March is prime time for catching big Ozark Mountain slabs in lakes Beaver, Bull Shoals and Table Rock. (Photo: Keith Sutton)   Crappie Fishing in the Ozarks by Keith Sutton Springtime Adventures on Beaver, Bull Shoals and Table Rock Lakes Nestled in the heart of the Ozark Mountains, Table Rock, Bull Shoals and Beaver lakes […]

Tony Adams guides on Alabama’s Lake Eufaula where the creel limit is 30 crappie per person, per day. However, many states have chosen to lower crappie daily creel limits to 15, or even less. (Photo: Richard Simms, CrappieNOW Editor)   Do Lower Limits Equal Bigger Crappie? by Brent Frazee Picture those old photos of fishermen […]

Lure of the Month: Vibe Runner by Terry Madewell New crappie fishing lures are introduced into the crappie-fishing market annually, and many are deadly crappie-catchers from the get-go. But don’t forget about those hot lures released in the past simply because the current chatter is primarily about new lures. Productive lures from the past developed [...]

Winter crappie often school together, occupying deeper structure in hot pursuit of shad residing there to avoid quick surface temp changes. Tightlining jigs and minnows around deep cover will pay dividends but best to move the bait around slowly, avoiding the yo-yoing movement. (Photo: Steve McCadams)     Warm Up Inside and Out with Winter […]

Jason Sealock has more than 20 years as a communicator and leader in the fishing industry. However he has always worked for someone else. Now this man who helped build other powerhouse companies, is focused on his own company, helping manufacturers and consumers of fishing products. (Photo courtesy Jason Sealock)   Jason Sealock, From Industry […]

It is a simple principal. Underwater creek channels are basically highways for crappie moving from one seasonal area to another. And brushpiles – either natural or manmade – are rest stops along the way. (Image courtesy Nexus Outdoors)   Hot Fishing in Cold Water Article courtesy Nexus Outdoors, headquartered in Muskegon, Michigan Fish the ‘Rest […]

Charlie Bunting believes a large plastic jig catches big, active crappie. Here he pulls in a heavy crappie during a Lake Dardanelle tournament with his partner/son, Travis Bunting, on the net. (Photo: Tim Huffman) Hair Jigs vs. Plastics – We Polled the Experts by Tim Huffman (Editor’s Note: In last month’s issue of CrappieNOW Magazine, […]

Silver carp, the most common of the Asian carp species, jump on the Cumberland River just below Barkley Dam during a Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources electrofishing expedition. (Photo: KDFWR)   Are Asian Carp on the Decline? by Richard Simms Eyeballing his Garmin LiveScope screen, my guide for the day, Jason Sealock, pointed [...]

One of Capt. Josh Antwine’s clients with proof-positive that there are great numbers, and great size crappie to found fishing the tailwater area downstream from Chickamauga Dam on the Tennessee River. Capt. Antwine says find pockets protected from the current can actually make it easier to locate crappie. (Photo: Capt. Josh Antwine)   Tailrace Crappie […]

The Reef Runner Cicada bladebait, like similar lures, creates a vibration in the water that is irresistible to jumbo slabs like this. (Photo: Keith Sutton)   Big Bad Bladebaits by Keith Sutton For crappie anglers who typically use jigs or minnows to entice their quarry, bladebaits might seem like the misfits of the fishing-lure world. […]

Hayden Jeffries has been a powerhouse in crappie tournaments in recent years and now enjoys guiding clients. He tells CrappieNOW writer Ron Wong that he loves the Fall and Winter bite, and that, “The colder it gets, the better the bite gets.”  (Photo courtesy Hayden Jeffries Fishing) Hayden Jeffries’s Fall/Winter Secrets by Ron Wong   […]

Steve McCadams shows off a slab caught during the October “transition period” as air and water temperatures begin to moderate, often inspiring crappie to become more aggressive.   Catching Crappie in Transition by Steve McCadams   For the lion’s share of the crappie world, it has been a hot and dry summer. In the South […]

Anyone who operates a boat in Alabama needs to be aware of a strict new law going into effect Oct. 1, 2024. ALL non-residents will be required to have passed a certified boating safety course. (Photo: Richard Simms)   Crappie Basics: New Alabama Boating Law by Richard Simms If you are planning a crappie fishing […]

It is a debate as old as crappie fishing itself – hair or plastic, which is best? (Photo: Richard Simms, CrappieNOW Editor) Hair or Plastic? How to Choose Your Weapons by Brent Frazee Kim Burnett will tell you that hair jigs are all you need to catch crappies year-round. Gary Dollahon says you have to […]

Kent Driscoll pulls some good crappie from a Mississippi lake. He says to look for September crappie to be in a summer crankbait pattern. As water cools, the fish will become more active, still hitting crankbaits. (Photo: Tim Huffman)   Last-Chance Crankbaits by Tim Huffman Fall is a good time for being in the outdoors. […]

Years of guiding on Mississippi’s Grenada Lake have given John Harrison an in-depth knowledge of crappie behaviors year-round, including September. (Photo: Keith Sutton) September Crappie Secrets by Keith Sutton As September approaches, anglers prepare for the changing conditions of crappie fishing. The shift from long, hot summer days to the shorter, cooler days of early […]

Steve Brown displays a couple of slab crappie he caught on Ross Barnett Reservoir in Ridgeland, MS – the very first time Brown had ever visited the lake. (Photo: Michael O. Giles) Mastering Crappie on Unfamiliar Waters by Michael O. Giles Steve Brown studied his Garmin LiveScope intently, spotting a school of crappie surrounding a [...]

What’s Hot at ICAST 2024 by Richard Simms, CrappieNOW Editor ICAST, the world's largest fishing tackle show, wrapped up a week ago in Orlando, Fla. The annual show of the International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades, is the largest fishing tackle show in the world – typically featuring every new fishing product made, so far [...]

Toby Leavendusky was all smiles after using his forward-facing sonar to catch some big crappies during a summer trip to Hillsdale Lake in northeast Kansas. (Photo: Brent Frazee) Kansas Crappie Fishing Treasure by Brent Frazee Think of the state of Kansas and most folks envision massive rolling fields of wheat – a dry state where […]

You know you’re fishing in the deep South when Spanish moss adorns the trees as Tony Adams shows off a pair of Eufaula Lake crappie. (Photo: Richard Simms)   Going to "The Bank" with Tony Adams on Eufaula Lake by Richard Simms, CrappieNOW Editor   Ryan Nix, another Eufaula Lake crappie guide with a crappie [...]

Capt. Lillie says he finds that the jig trailers on his trolled crankbaits work best midday, after the early morning hot bite slows down. He believes it has increased his catch rates by as much as 100%. (Photo: Capt. Scott Lillie)   Crappie Basics: Try a Crankbait Trailer Jig by Richard Simms   Lots of […]

You can catch small fish by being careless, but to catch one like Clay Blair is holding requires being stealth and using a good presentation. (Photo courtesy Clay Blair)     How NOT to Spook Crappie by Tim Huffman   Have you ever wondered why fishermen in other boats catch more crappie than you? It […]

If you asked most crappie anglers why they enjoy visiting Ridgeland, Mississippi, most would probably mention the fishing on Barnett Reservoir. However, first-timers may not realize there are things surrounding the lake for the whole family to enjoy. Pictured is Ron Stallings with TTI Blakemore (left), CrappieNOW publisher Dan Dannenmueller (center), and CrappieNOW Editor Richard [...]

Mississippi fisheries biologists say their research indicates that forward-facing sonar users may be having a direct impact on crappie populations in its four most popular lakes – Grenada, Sardis, Enid and Arkabutla. As a result, they have significantly lowered the daily creel limits on those reservoirs. (Photo: Richard Simms)   Forward-Facing Sonar Leads to Crappie […]

Lowrance uses yellow Ethernet network ports to connect multiple sonar/GPS units. (Photo by Brad Wiegmann)   Networking Multiple Sonar/GPS Units by Brad Wiegmann Just how easy is it to network two or three sonar/GPS units together so they actually “talk to each other?” Not nearly as difficult as many anglers imagine. By connecting multiple sonar/GPS […]

Guide Brad Chappell displays a nice fish taken by pulling jigs at Grenada Lake, Mississippi. He says this is an easy, productive way to catch fish and enjoy a day in the boat. (Photo: Tim Huffman)   Guide to Pulling Jigs by Tim Huffman Winter, summer, spring or fall, many crappie anglers love pulling jigs […]

Capt. Scott Lilly employs planer boards to place the Boogie Shad 5 away from the boat in the clear water conditions of summer. (Photo: Terry Madewell)   Cranking Crappies on Chickamauga Lake by Terry Madewell I arrived at the Chester Frost Park boat ramp on Chickamauga Lake early, planning to sip coffee and watch a […]

Visible stumps are hotspots that should never be ignored by a crappie angler any time of year. But not all stumps are created equal. You may have to fish a bunch of different stumps to find the one that for some reason, holds fish. (Photo: Keith Sutton)   Tracking Down Nomad Crappie by Keith Sutton […]

His hat is appropriate as crappie guide Haydn Williams is often “On ‘em” as he fishes boat docks on Grand Lake o’ the Cherokees in Oklahoma to catch big crappies. (Photo: Brent Frazee)   A Grand Place to Fill Your Livewell by Brent Frazee   Haydn Williams looked at the screen of the forward-facing sonar […]

Lure of the Month: G-Daddy Baits Crappie Shad by Terry Madewell To produce a successful bait in the crappie-fishing market, the lure must catch crappie. That gets fishermen’s attention, and to keep that attention the lure needs other attributes such as being tough as nails and capable of catching scores, even hundreds, of crappie without […]

Karen Lutto, President of Hunter Outdoor Communications, shows off a springtime black crappie from Chippewa Flowage waters. It hit an Al’s Goldfish Lil’ 49er cast to shallow water. (Photo: Tim Huffman)   Destination Chippewa Flowage, Wisconsin by Tim Huffman Wisconsin is known for dairy, cheese and the Green Bay Packers. However, anglers know it as […]

Al Lindner (left) and Jake Wallace posed with two of the crappies they caught during a filming of a Lindner’s Angling Edge television show. (Photo courtesy Lindner’s Angling Edge) Crappie Boom Times in the North Country by Brent Frazee When crappie fishermen envision their dream destinations, they often think about the Deep South – states […]

This spawning crappie fell victim to a safety pin style spinning lure. Such lures, like Beetlespins, have been around for decades. They work especially well fishing around cover. (Photo: Ed Mashburn)   Don’t Forget the Beetlespin – Spinnerbaits for Crappie by Ed Mashburn My little spinnerbait flashed as I cast toward the cover where I […]

The crystal-clear waters of Arkansas’ Lake Ouachita harbor lots of big line-stretching slabs just waiting to be caught. (Photo: Keith Sutton)   Plan a Crappie Vacation at Diamond Lakes by Keith Sutton   Hot Springs is the number-one tourist town in Arkansas. This bustling community west of Little Rock is home to Hot Springs National […]

Nowadays professional crappie angler and guide Steve Coleman outfits the front of his boat with a Garmin Livescope and a Humminbird 360 unit. (Photo: Steve McCadams)   Navigating the Challenge of Selecting Sonar by Steve McCadams It doesn’t matter if you are a professional fisherman or if you are a first-time boater. A sonar unit […]

More and more boats have a forward-facing sonar on the vow these days, but exactly how many? CrappieNOW Editor Richard Simms set out to find some answers himself but it seems some researchers are finding different results. (Photo: Richard Simms) Forward-Facing Sonar Survey Follow-up by Richard Simms   Last month, I (CrappieNOW Editor Richard Simms) […]

Garmin’s Perspective View radial grids look like this without a sonar image. (Photo by Brad Wiegmann) Electronics: Catch More Fish with Radial Grid Lines by Brad Wiegmann   Everyone goes on and on about catching fish using forward facing sonar (FFS), but it’s almost always about the forward-facing mode. What about the other two modes? […]

Lure of the Month: TTI Blakemore Crappie X Tractor by Terry Madewell If you’re searching for a lure that catches more and bigger crappie, but snags less on heavy cover, you’ve got to read this right now! A crappie lure initially released in 2022 that proved to be a crappie-catching machine in pre-release testing, has […]

Les Smith power trolling rig is outfitted with a 36-volt Minn Kota that can handle long hours of high-speed trolling for crappie. Crappie Basics: Power Trolling by Tim Huffman Power trolling resembles slow trolling or spider rigging, except speeds are much faster and usually the baits are bigger. It uses 14-18-foot poles to push crankbaits, […]

Spawning crappie often move to shallow water deep within dense vegetation. Pulling a small boat beyond the edge allows fishing these seldom-touched honeyholes. (Photo: Keith Sutton) Beating the Bushes by Keith Sutton Folks who enjoy crappie fishing usually love springtime. It’s during this season, when our favorite panfish move to shallow shoreline waters to spawn, […]

More and more boats have a forward-facing sonar on the bow these days, but exactly how many? Numerous experts we asked couldn’t answer that question, so CrappieNOW Editor Richard Simms set out to find some answers himself. (Photo: Richard Simms) Opening Cast: Forward-Facing Sonar Survey by Richard Simms   How many fishermen are using forward-facing […]

Larry Marek used to be frustrated trying to find crappie cover using distances displayed by his side-imaging (SI) sonar – that is until he figured out exactly why his SI unit seemed to be lying. (Contributed Photo)   Side-Imaging Sometimes Tells Lies by Larry Marek I love to fish brush piles. Tossing a jig out […]

Some northern lakes or farm ponds a 3-year-old crappie may be only 9-inches long. But this white crappie author Steve McCadams caught in Tennessee’s Kentucky Lake is likely 4 or 5 years old.     How Fast Do Crappie Grow? by Steve McCadams Answers to many questions on fish management can often be found around […]

Fishing line is the most important thing between you and the fish. String your reels with new line and don’t cut corners by starting the fishing year off with last fall’s monofilament. (Photo: Steve McCadams)   Tune Up Your Tackle by Steve McCadams   When winter winds howl and temps fall below normal, cabin fever […]

Deep channels like this one are prime fishing spots for catching February crappie at Caddo Lake. (Photo: Keith Lusher)   Destination: Caddo Lake Crappie by Keith Lusher It’s been said by some that there isn’t another body of water that comes close to comparing to Caddo Lake. The previous Mayor of Uncertain, Texas (yes, that’s […]

The key to a good setup includes holders that keep rods in the boat, rods are easy to reach, and holders allowing easy rod removal when there is a bite or a fish is on. (Photo: Tim Huffman)   Rod Holder Basics, A Critical Detail by Tim Huffman   Just like everything else in the [...]

A fishing trip during the prespawn period may require anglers to bundle up against the cold, but slab crappie like this often fall to savvy late-winter anglers. (Photo: Keith Sutton) Fishing Prespawn, The Devil is in the Details by Keith Sutton   During the weeks just before crappie begin spawning activities, savvy anglers pay close […]

Aaron Wavra, a Senior Product Manager for Berkley Fishing, admits that, while fairly well-known in the northern states, Berkley is likely being outpaced in marketing to crappie anglers in the South. Berkley Beefing Up on the Crappie Market by Richard Simms, CrappieNOW Editor I recently ran a quick, totally unscientific survey on my Facebook page. […]

David Walker has earned more than $2 million as a professional bass fisherman. But he really looks forward to his off-season when he can get back to his roots catching crappie   Pro Angler David Walker Shares Wintertime Crappie Tips by Cory Schmidt   The Z-Man Fishing Baby BallerZ is just one of David Walker’s [...]

Lure of the Month: Spangle Tinsel Jig by Terry Madewell   Many new crappie lures on the market are soft plastic varieties, and with good reason. They are crappie killers. But there are other types of often-overlooked lures that enable anglers to hook up with crappie. One that produces consistently is the 6th Sense Spangle […]

Dan Dannenmueller said electronics are great tools, but a fisherman can also catch fish the old fashioned way. Minnows are an important part of the combination when fishing slowly. (Photo: Tim Huffman)   Breaking the Rules for More Crappie by Tim Huffman   There are basic rules-of-thumb we all use when fishing for crappie. For […]

Sometimes you can catch them in open water, but it is no secret that in general, crappie prefer having their noses buried in a brush pile. And if you know exactly where those brush piles are, it increases your crappie-catching odds tremendously. (Photo: Richard Simms)   Build Your Own Ace in the Hole by Steve [...]

Any brush from cedar or hardwood trees will add excellent fish structure to bare lake bottoms. (Photo courtesy Kentucky Dept. of Fish and Wildlife Resources)   Build it and they will come by Richard Hines   Several years ago, I was fishing on one of our local lakes in Kentucky when we met our district […]

“Wally Marshall’s outstanding accomplishments as a trailblazer in the sport of crappie fishing are unparalleled,” said Dan Kessler, Texas Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame selection committee chairman. “His leadership in bringing forth new ideas and innovative products to crappie fishing and the fishing community in general are second to none.”   A Good Ol’ Boy […]

Tim Huffman (right), pictured with “Legends of the Outdoors” founder, Garry Mason at the awards presentation in August.   Tim Huffman Garners his Second “Hall of Fame” Distinction by Richard Simms, CrappieNOW Editor   The International Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame is inducting six new “Legends” into its Hall of Fame in 2024, including […]

Miller and Lusher are feeling the spirit of Christmas after a cold day of catching Christmas Tree Crappie   Christmas Tree Crappie by Keith Lusher   For most crappie anglers, Christmas fishing invokes thoughts of deep jigging crappie that are bunched up in tight formations. For the crappie anglers willing to brave frosty mornings and […]

Stacey Weatherford and Kevin Davis heft a stringer of slab crappie, many caught from a public fish attractor, accessible to any angler (Photo: Terry Madewell)   Santee Cooper Destination by Terry Madewell   Two huge South Carolina lakes, laden with woody and weedy crappie-attracting cover, linked as a single fishing-unit via a 7-mile-long Diversion Canal, […]

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 […]

The newly-released Mecury Avator electric outboards are faster and more efficient than previously releases. They also integrate with a smartphone App that allows the operator a wide variety of functions, including the ability to easily monitor battery life and range. (Photo courtesy Mercury Marine) Crappie Basics: Mercury Launches New Electric Outboard by Richard Simms, CrappieNOW […]

Dickey “Drumking” Porter is a crappie expert on the Tennessee River in Southeast Tennessee. He admits that he is “old school.” He doesn’t like live imaging or multi-pole fishing. He firmly believes in “one rod, one fish” at a time. (Photo: Richard Simms, CrappieNOW Editor)     Confessions of Single-Pole Fanatics by Tim Huffman   [...]

Product Buzz by Tim Huffman   Downsizing is the word that live imaging sonar has brought to the forefront. We’ve always known to use smaller baits when a strong cold front has given crappie a case of the lockjaw, but live imaging has also taught us there are other situations when crappie just want a [...]

Lake of the Ozarks is known for providing excellent numbers of crappie with a variety of crappie fishing patterns that will likely be in play. (Photo courtesy Lake of the Ozarks CVB) Crappie Basics: NCL Encouraging New Tournament Anglers by Richard Simms, CrappieNOW Editor   Part of the mission of the fledgling National Crappie League […]

Grenada Lake offers many technique options for catching crappie. Terry Stewart swings a fish into the boat while using one pole and his Garmin LiveScope. (Photo: Tim Huffman)   Destination: Grenada Lake for Great Fishing & Family Fun by Tim Huffman   Grenada Lake is every crappie fisherman’s dream. There is no scientific data to […]

CrappieNOW Publisher and professional crappie tournament angler, Dan Dannenmueller, says he doesn’t consider his arsenal fully equipped unless he has Off Shore Tackle planer boards on the boat.   Planer Boards for All Seasons by Alan Clemons   Quick as a flash, the undersized crappie grabbed my Road Runner with a curl-tail grub and tried […]

John Harrison has two live imaging sonar units on his bow. That way he and a partner or client both have their own LIS for scanning different areas. Here he prepares to make a pitch to a fish targeted on his LIS, controlling his line with his “off hand” by pulling the line, releasing it, […]

Product Highlights from ICAST 2023 by Richard Simms, CrappieNOW Editor The latest innovations revealed at the largest fishing trade show in the world ICAST 2023 Best of Show After 37 category winners were crowned at the prestigious ICAST 2023, the American Tackle Company came out on top as the sole owners of “Best of Show.” [...]

During the dog days of summer, catching crappie may require thinking outside the box and trying unconventional fishing tactics, like fishing with a soft-plastic Yum Dinger. (Photo: Keith Sutton)   Think Outside the Box for Hot Crappie by Keith Sutton   Hot-weather crappie fishing can be tough. When the water temperature soars, our favorite panfish […]

Russ Bailey displays a crappie taken from Dale Hollow. He says August crappie will be deep, so a slip-cork and minnow rig will catch fish like these. (Photo: Tim Huffman)       Destination: Dale Hollow Lake by Tim Huffman Clear-Water Tactics for Summer Crappie   Ultra-clear lakes can make good fishermen shudder with fear. […]

Outdoor journalist Ken Perrotte shows off a bragging-sized Lake Washington slab. But some say Lake Washington isn’t producing the numbers of crappie it once did.   Is Lake Washington Crappie Fishing on the Decline? by Richard Simms, CrappieNOW Editor Public Meeting Scheduled with Fisheries Biologists   “We’re losing lots of revenue. Since 2016 our reservations […]

When he realized big crappies like 4-inch baitfish, Glasgow now ties larger jigs than most crappie anglers use.   Destination: Pennsylvania’s Lake Arthur by Darl Black Exceptional crappie fishing just north of Pittsburgh   As a youngster, I learned the basics of crappie fishing from my dad at Pymatuning Lake where we fished minnow-and-bobber around […]

Are you frustrated by loose line coming off your partially used spools? If so, grab a koozie for a quick and easy fix. Crappie Basics: Line Storage Hack by Richard Simms, CrappieNOW Editor   We’ve all done it. Added new line to fishing reel but we don’t use the entire spool. We store it somewhere [...]

Bigger crappie often fall to anglers who know the best jigging techniques. A subtle difference in technique can make a big difference in the number of fish one catches. (Photo: Keith Sutton)   The Right Ways to Work Crappie Jigs by Keith Sutton Whenever an angler uses a jig to entice crappie, the way the […]

John Guillot and Keith Lusher celebrate after a successful trip using green shiners.     Crappie on Green Shiners By Keith Lusher John Guillot and Keith Lusher take live bait to the next level!   When it comes to sac-a-lait fishing there is no such thing as “good enough.” So, when I got the call […]

The Great Outdoors by Larry Whiteley   A SPECIAL FATHERS DAY As he sleeps there’s a smile on his face. He must be dreaming about going fishing. He feels someone kissing him on the cheek. Through sleepy eyes he sees Mom. In his grogginess he hears her say, “You better get up, it’s Father’s Day […]

Yeti coolers cost hundreds of dollars, but professional crappie anglers Steve Coleman and Ronnie Capps spare no expense in keeping their live minnows lively. You probably don’t have to spend that much, but good bait management can mean more crappie on your stringer or in your livewell. (Photo: Richard Simms)   Crappie Basics: Best Bait […]

Streamers and wooly buggers are great shallow-water crappie options with a fly rod.   Fly Fishing for Crappies by Mike Gnatkowski   It is common knowledge that crappies head to the shallows in the spring to feed and spawn. However, some anglers might be shocked at how shallow they will go. Ken Riehl and I […]

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.” […]

The Great Outdoors by Larry Whiteley   A MAN CALLED FISH His name is Joe. Those that know him call him Fish. He is 89 years old. It is an early May morning. The sun is rising over the forested hills surrounding the lake. Birds are beginning to sing. Crows are cawing at each other. […]

In his many decades as an avid crappie angler, Dickey Porter has the fileting process down to a fine art. (Photo: Richard Simms)   Filet Your Crappie in One Minute Dickey Porter Dickey Porter is an avid crappie fisherman on the Tennessee River. In his decades chasing crappie, Porter has fileted thousands – maybe tens [...]

Start your day on the water by enjoying a beautiful sunrise, casting to a brush pile, and anticipating a big fish on the end of your line. It doesn’t get better than this. Jordan Isaacs on upper Bull Shoals Lake in Missouri. (Photo: Tim Huffman)   Destination: Bull Shoals Crappie & Branson, MO by Tim [...]

Many hunters and fishermen have their own theories of how the moon phase affects the wild creatures they seek. Tim Bye practices patience after the full moon and is rewarded.   Full Moon Crappie Fishing by Keith Lusher   In the world of sac-a-lait fishing or crappie for those of you not from Louisiana – […]

A big Kansas crappie left no doubt that it wanted to eat a bright-colored crankbait trolled past its face. (Photo: Brent Frazee) Break Out the Bandits for Crappie by Brent Frazee Joe Bragg is a well-known Kansas crappie guide, and often fishes professional tournaments. After competing in a national crappie tournament in the Deep South, […]

CRAPPIE AND MOREL MUSHROOMS When out crappie fishing this month, there is a delicious treat waiting for you besides the crappie you catch. Motor back in a wooded cove, tie your boat up to a tree, and get out and go hunting for morel mushrooms. Start searching near certain trees favored by morels like ash, […]

Crappie often spawn in water so shallow it’s difficult to get a boat to them. In this situation, wade fishing may be the best alternative. (Photo: Keith Sutton)   Try Wade Fishing for Spooky, Spawning Slabs by Keith Sutton   Heavy spring rains and flooding are an increasingly common occurrence in many parts of the […]

Check out the background behind Larry Cloud and it is easy to see why Missouri’s Table Rock Lake holds great numbers of crappie. When the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers created the lake in 1958, it left all of the standing timber untouched. (Photo: Richard Simms)   Table Rock Crappie Secrets by Richard Simms According […]

Guide Corey Thomas (left) says using planer boards has dramatically improved his crappie trolling success, especially in the clear waters of Dale Hollow Lake.   Up Your Crappie Game with Planer Boards by Greg McCain   Trollers have long dealt with the problem of spooking fish while approaching too close or passing over them. Whether […]

NPAA’s mission is to increase the professionalism of the sport as it works to grow and protect sportfishing.     Special NPAA Discount for CrappieNOW Readers by Richard Simms, CrappieNOW Editor   The National Professional Anglers Association (NPAA) is a non-profit, member-based association dedicated to sportfishing. For a limited time CrappieNOW readers can get a [...]

SAYING GOODBYE TO WINTER The end of winter, according to our calendars, is March 20th. For some parts of the country, that may be true. In others, winter will linger on for a while. Wherever you live, you would be hard pressed to find anyone sad to see winter end. Especially fishermen. Soon the black […]

Anglers can change chart speed to faster, slower or factory setting. (Photo by Brad Wiegmann). Changing Chart Speed for Better Sonar Imaging by Brad Wiegmann Fishfinders collect data and display it on a screen and with the exception of live imaging sonar, the imaging scrolls from right to left. Everything you are seeing is the [...]

Niblets in an Eye Hole Jig plus Crappie Magnet plastics equals the perfect slab-catching combo.   Crappie Basics: Major Merger of Lure Companies Crappie Magnet has teamed up with Eye Hole Jig to bring revolutionary products to the crappie fishing world. Through this merger, Blake Phillips, the inventor of the Eye Hole Jig, and his […]

Visit the web page below and find out what the most recent research shows fishermen are spending in YOUR state.   Crappie Basics: Economic Impact of Fishing ASA and Southwick Associates created a series of one-page infographics for all 435 Congressional districts in all 50 states. These results report the economic contributions to the respective […]

Nobody knows EXACTLY what a fish sees… lure colors vary and are altered dramatically by water clarity and depth. So, is lure color still important or does lure presentation usually rule the day? (Photo: Richard Simms)   Crappie Basics: Does Color Matter? Editor Richard Simms says, “Not always.” I will not lie. In my crappie [...]

Riley Daniel holds proof that his hand-tied jigs (RD’s Jigs) can produce some big results.     Small Business, Big Crappies by Brent Frazee Mom & Pop hand-tied jigs lure customers   Fearless Jigs For a guy who was a late bloomer in fishing, Zac Church never could have imagined he would one day be […]

Cane poles allow anglers to reach deep into weed beds you would never be able to cast to   Cane Poles Still Work Wonders by Scott Mackenthun   For anglers of a somewhat “advanced” age, cane pole fishing probably represents some of their earliest crappie fishing memories. However, cane poles are a rare sight in […]

THE 80 DAYS OF FEBRUARY Let me see, how does that old saying go? Thirty days hath September, April, June and November. All the rest have 31 except February. It has 80. Well, that is not exactly right, but it sometimes seems like February is the longest month of the year even though it is […]

The new Lowrance Pro is capable of doing two simultaneous views at the same time on the same unit. Next Generation Marine Electronics Unveiled by Brad Wiegmann Like many things in the electronics arena, marine electronics continue to advance by leaps and bounds every year. The next surge of new products was released by Lowrance [...]

Chris Hanson (left) and Darren Troseth show off their black crappie catch from Upper Red Lake in 2007.   The History of the Red Lake Crappie Boom by Scott Mackenthun What can we learn from the past? Minnesota’s Red Lake is an incredible walleye fishery situated in northwestern Minnesota on land held by two sovereign […]

TJ Todd says super-slow presentations are critical if a fisherman wants to catch cold water crappie. (Photo: Tim Huffman)   Cold Water Crappie Action by Tim Huffman “I have to drop it down on them and hold it for 30 seconds before they’ll hit it.”   “February is the best time to get out and […]

Wayne Blanchard displayed one of the crappies he caught on 2-pound test line. (Photo: Brent Frazee)   Opt in for ULTRA Ultralights on Wintertime Crappie Quests By Brent Frazee “The fish don’t care how cold it is. They’ll still bite.”   This wasn’t fishing weather. The temperature had dropped like a rock and a cold […]

Memphis outdoor journalist Larry Rea well remembers the days before fancy mapping and electronics, when anglers had to use old school techniques to find and catch crappie. (Photo: Richard Hines)   Old Technology – Tried and True by Richard Hines Some tips for those without expensive electronics on board     These days anglers seem […]

Product Buzz by Tim Huffman     Mini-Planer Board – Off Shore Tackle Planer boards serve several purposes when trolling for crappie. Their most important advantage is to get baits away from the boat. CrappieNOW Publisher and Off Shore Tackle Pro Staffer Dan Dannenmueller says, “The boards catch a lot more fish than you’ll catch […]

Lots of hardcore crappie fisherman are also hardcore hunters. A winter visit to the Mississippi Delta can put folks smackdab in the best of both worlds.     Mississippi Delta – A Recipe to Cast & Blast by Richard Simms When the Editor of CrappieNOW Magazine (me) visits the Mississippi Delta, one would surely suspect […]

Spoons can be used to catch crappie year-round, but they’re particularly effective during winter when crappie are holding near deep cover and structure. (Photo: Keith Sutton)     Use a Spoon for Cold Crappie Medicine by Keith Sutton Many crappie anglers fish only with jigs or minnows, but spoons are superb crappie-catchers, too.   When […]

Crappie for Christmas by Vernon Summerlin   In keeping with the season, I’ve chosen a few special recipes. Depending on your winter weather, you may have to fish in your freezer for fillets to make crappie dumplings. Dumpling is our English word for an ancient delicacy called wonton. In American-Chinese cuisine, wontons are served in […]

The Crappie Chronicles team works to spread out and find fish as they roam through shallow areas. Teamwork in all facets of fishing and show creation help make ‘The Crappie Chronicles’ successful. (Photo courtesy Adam Bartusek)   Crappie Chronicles Returns to YouTube by Scott Mackenthun   The 2022-2023 ice fishing year will kick off the […]

Mitch Glenn, owner of Pico Lures, is in the Christmas spirit with this nice cold-water slab. (Photo: Tim Huffman)     Making Christmas Memories by Tim Huffman   Every person reading this likely has special memories of Christmas. Perhaps a special gift, a special experience or special people – maybe all of the above. For [...]

Crappie with Parmesan Peanut Crust by Vernon Summerlin   Do you know your cheeses? Parmigiano-Reggiano is considered one of the world’s tastiest. It remained at the top of the connoisseurs Best Cheeses list for more than nine centuries. Unfortunately, it’s often poorly imitated. Parmesan adds an important tangy flavor to this month’s crappie recipe. Freshly […]

Crappie Kirby has made quite a reputation by being successful on all seasons. (Photo: Kenneth L. Kieser)   Kirby Ham’s Tactics for More Crappie by Kenneth L. Kieser   Searching for productive crappie fishing in a new lake is a challenge. Recently I joined Kirby Ham on a lake neither of us had fished, then […]

Darin Keim knows that fall can be an excellent time to fish for crappies at Lake of the Ozarks in central Missouri. But he believes his techniques will work anywhere. (Photo: Brent Frazee)   “Falling” for Big Crappies By Brent Frazee Fish are biting but they’re often overlooked once autumn arrives.   Darin Keim encourages […]

Many outdoors men and women love to chase crappie and big bucks. That means they face some hard decisions in November. (Photo: Richard Simms)   Deer Season Crappie by Tim Huffman   It’s November. Deer hunting is in full-swing and crappie have gone into their fall feeding frenzy. Do you hunt or fish? How about […]

Check out the background and it is easy to see why Missouri’s Table Rock Lake holds great numbers of crappie. When the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers created the lake in 1958, it left all of the standing timber untouched. (Photo: Richard Simms)   Larry Cloud shares Table Rock Crappie Secrets by Richard Simms  Branson, […]

Jalepeno Crappie by Vernon Summerlin   At this writing my Tennessee garden is producing like gangbusters. If you have a garden south of the Mason-Dixon line, your okra and jalapenos (chilies) likely ripe in concert. And that’s just how I like ’em because I fry ’em in concert. First, I fry the sliced chilies in […]

A screen grab from the GoPro video as Hunter Bland and his tournament partner were ejected from their boat at more than 50 mph. The video has been viewed nearly three million times and Bland has dedicated his life to sharing the message of boating safety.   Crappie Basics: Life Changing Accident It was January [...]

Making money fishing isn't easy but there are some legit ways to make some money in the fishing industry that you can start doing today!     There probably isn’t a fisherman in the world who, at some point in time, hasn’t thought, “It sure would be nice if I could make my living doing [...]

Gronaw’s shoreline strategy and tailor presentations keeps him on fish all season long.     Spotlight on Jim Gronaw by Darl Black  Bank-bound and still catches crappies   Outdoor writer Jim Gronaw is a name I recognized for many years from his numerous articles in freshwater fishing publications. We finally met in person about eight […]

CrappieNOW publisher “Crappie Dan” Dannenmueller is intentional about boat angle, background and fish positioning to ensure quality photos for his social media pages. (Photo: Jeff Samsel)     Social Media Dos and Don’ts by Jeff Samsel  Learn to create better content and to avoid common social media pitfalls. As your buddy slips the net under [...]

Crappie Cowboy Craig Nichols likes to pitch a jig. He controls it with his pole tip and pulling line with his hand. He can slowly swim it back, control the depth, and control the action. (Photo: Tim Huffman)     The Art of Pole Dancing by Tim Huffman   Crappie fishermen like to hop, pop, [...]

Dave Ohmer prepared for another crappie outing on a small lake in his kayak. “Keeping it simple and moving slowly allows me to concentrate on fishing.” (Photo: Darl Black)     Exceptional Crappie Angler Series: Spotlight on David Ohmer by Darl Black Crappie by Kayak   About seven years ago, I was introduced to David […]

Regardless of your rod holder needs, from singles to systems, Driftmaster has products to meet your personal fishing style. (Photo: Terry Madewell)   Driftmaster Rod Holder Updates for 2022 by Terry Madewell Meeting the needs of anglers   Having choices in terms of fishing products that meet your specific needs is the first step to […]

ICAST 2022 - New Crappie Fishing Tools by Ron Wong   The 2022 International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Tradeshow, better known as ICAST, is the world’s largest fishing tackle show. It includes a collection of the newest and greatest fishing equipment any angler could imagine. This year’s show featured 56 very long aisles of fishing [...]

Guide Rich Bay and writer Tim Huffman display a 16.5-inch Kentucky Lake crappie caught by Huffman. Capt. Bay says crankbaits may not catch as many fish as some other methods, but it provides a higher ratio of big crappie. Kentucky Lake Late-Summer Crappie by Tim Huffman   Crappie fishing runs in cycles. Lows and highs […]

Turmeric Crappie by Vernon Summerlin   You can’t watch much TV without seeing the spice turmeric hyped as a new wonder drug. This seasoning from India has been ingested for tens of centuries to flavor curry among many other dishes. It’s only recently reached TV audiences claiming that it “may be the most effective nutritional […]

4-wheeling into a remote pond in the White River National Wildlife Refuge provides crappie fishermen with a rare escape from the hustle and bustle of most crappie lakes. (Photo by Richard Hines)   Four-wheeling for Oxbow Crappie by Richard Hines   If you had told me years ago, I would be riding on the back [...]

No matter what species they’re fishing for, nothing beats the joy of introducing a youngster to fishing. As often as not, the teacher gets as much joy as the student. (Photo: Richard Simms)   TTI Blakemore – Working for Crappie Anglers by Terry Madewell    For decades the legendary fishing tackle company, TTI Blakemore, has […]

Finding areas with flowing water can lead summer crappie fishermen to a mother lode of slabs this season. (Photo: Keith Sutton)     9 Crazy Tricks for Hot-Weather Crappie by Keith Sutton Out-of-the-ordinary Crappie Tactics   For those resilient anglers who can tolerate the sweltering heat, mosquitoes and sunburn that often are part of summer […]

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, [...]

Ohio angler Jason Koesters has developed a shallow-water approach to crappie fishing that works just about anywhere. (Photo: Greg McCain) Summer Crappie – Not Always a Deep-water Affair by Greg McCain The notion that summer crappie always go deep just does not always hold true. Ask Ohio tournament competitor Jason Koesters, who finds plenty of […]

Ceviche Crappie Salad by Vernon Summerlin Ceviche is a salad, however, sometimes it’s served as a cold soup. Gazpacho and vichyssoise are certainly cold soups designed especially for summer dining.  Ceviche is typically made from fresh raw fish cured in citrus juices, such as lemon or lime and spiced with ají or chilies. Additional seasonings, […]

  Wok-Upped Crappie by Vernon Summerlin   A wok’s most distinguishing feature is its shape. The classic woks have a rounded bottom and are hand-hammered. Woks are sometimes flipped inside out after being shaped, creating a gentle flare to the edge that makes it easier to push food up onto the sides of the wok. […]

Product Buzz by Tim Huffman   Mayfly  by Bobby Garland Bobby Garland’s new Mayfly hatches July 2022. It’s 2.25” long and has an insect-like profile. The bait has flexible appendages and the tail produces vibrations. It has fish-oil enhancements to satisfy smell and taste. The Mayfly offers a different look that may prove to draw […]

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 […]

Destination—Elmore County, Alabama by Ron Wong   Lots of anglers like to live by the four F’s — Family, Fishing, Food, and Fun. There is no better place to experience it all than Elmore County, Alabama. It is situated in east-central Alabama where the Alabama and Coosa rivers meet to provide an abundance of water-related […]

Marilyn Black is all smiles when it comes to crappie fishing on Conneaut Lake   Destination Conneaut Lake by Darl Black Small Lake – Great Fishing Conneaut Lake in northwestern Pennsylvania is my favorite lake for black crappies. The best time to fish it is mid-to late summer when many anglers are complaining about the [...]

A variety of lights are made for use by night-fishing crappie anglers. The lights attract plankton, which in turn attract baitfish and crappie. A combination of floating and sinking models to illuminate a variety of depths often works best. (Photo: Keith Sutton)     Catch More Crappie When the Sun Goes Down by Keith Sutton […]

Ken Smith shows off a healthy Shenango Lake black crappie. (Photo: Darl Black)   Exceptional Crappie Angler Series: Spotlight on Ken Smith by Darl Black   Ken Smith of Sharon, Pennsylvania, is a crappie fishing machine. I first met Ken 14 years ago in January on the ice at Pymatuning Lake while I was shooting […]

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 […]

  Fish-n-Foil Italian Style by Vernon Summerlin It is easy to zest up your crappie for grilling, just by adding Italian dressing. If you cook on a grill, you may want to baste your fish every two minutes to prevent it from drying out. If you choose to use the fish-n-foil method to cook crappie […]

Super high imaging is possible with equipment like Oculus.     Catch more Fish with Side Imaging Sonar By Brad Wiegmann     Has live-imaging sonar made side imaging sonar obsolete? No, but it has changed when and where anglers are using it. Truth is, tournament anglers may be using side-imaging even more to find [...]

Since winning their first crappie tournament fishing with the Magnolia Crappie Club in Mississippi, Dan Jeffries and his son, Hayden, have quickly become a force to be reckoned with.   In-depth with the Hottest Crappie Team in the Country – Part 2 by Bernard Williams, Magnolia Crappie Club   (Editor’s Note: If you missed Part […]

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 […]

  Celery in Crappie Chowder by Vernon Summerlin   When most of us think of chowder, the New England-style comes to mind. The phonetic variant, “chowda”, is believed to have originated in Newfoundland during the days when Breton fisherman tossed portions of the day’s catch into a large pot along with other available foods to […]

Super high imaging is possible with equipment like Oculus.     Looking into the crystal ball of marine electronics By Brad Wiegmann Future of multi-beam sonar and underwater fishing cameras     Garmin, Lowrance and finally Humminbird have all now released their version of phased array scanning sonar (a.k.a. live-imaging sonar or LIS) in forward/down/wide […]

T.J. Palmer (left) and his son Alex catch big crappies on Truman Lake.   Missouri Teen Makes Crappie His Business by Brent Frazee   Alex Palmer opened a storage locker on his dad’s fishing boat and began rummaging through six tackle trays chock-full of colorful plastic crappie jigs. “We don’t have to worry about running […]

Many anglers have expressed concerns that live-imaging sonar are so efficient that the anglers using them may actually harm crappie populations. But so far the research and opinions of two state fisheries division indicate there is no need for concern, at least as it stand now. (Photo: Richard Simms)   More Research on Live-Imaging Sonar [...]

Kyle Schoenherr had one of the best runs in tournament fishing from 2010 to 2018. He won three national championship classic tournaments, two Alabama state championships and had over 30 top ten finishes around the country. Regardless which lake or river they were fishing, he and partner Rodney Neuhaus worked hard, proved their ability to […]

Phased Arrays Scanning Sonar for Live Scanning Imaging of Fish and Structure by Brad Wiegmann In the beginning sonar was based on a single acoustic wave being sent out from a transducer into the water below the boat bouncing off objects such as trees, rocks and fish. These single pings were then translated and recorded [...]

  Crappie with Homemade Condiments by Vernon Summerlin   In my experience, salt finds its way into most recipes. Salt has been pivotal to civilization. What is now thought to have been the first city in Europe, Solnitsata, Bulgaria, where they mined salt and provided the area now known as the Balkans with the mineral […]

There is no shortage of photos showing Hayden Jeffries and his Dad, Dan, holding first place trophies in crappie tournaments. In-depth with the Hottest Crappie Team in the Country by Bernard Williams, Magnolia Crappie Club Hayden & Dan Jeffries – Part 1   Over the years, I’ve seen excellent crappie fishing teams come on the […]

Dan Druschel (left) and Gus Glasgow (right) show off four large crappies from their First Place catch at a Pennsylvania tournament in late summer.   Spotlight on Gus Glasgow by Darl Black     One of the top competitive crappie fishermen in Pennsylvania these days is a former bass tournament angler. After more than a […]

Riser and Fields Take Home the ACT Championship by Richard Simms, CrappieNOW Editor   The 2021 American Crappie Trail Championship event was held on Lake D’Arbonne in Mississippi March 24-26. The top 100 anglers in the overall points stands at the end of the regular season qualified for the Championship. At the end of Day […]

Kansas biologists say their research indicates the use of live-imaging sonar has relatively little impact on crappie catch rates by average anglers. They admit, however, they would like to do more research to measure effects by advanced anglers, such as professional crappie tournament anglers. (Photo: Richard Simms)   Kansas Biologists Research Impact of Live-Imaging Sonar [...]

For many anglers, the month of March begins Pomoxis-catching boom-time. Black (Pomaxis nigromaculatus) and white (Pomaxis annularis) crappies are physically and biologically very similar. White crappies have vertical bars where as black crappies don’t. At spawning time (April to June) both species become darker. Hence coloration is a poor way to distinguish species. White crappie […]

  Can you see your sonar/GPS screen? by Brad Wiegmann   Every angler sooner or later will look at their sonar/GPS unit and not be able to see an image. It could be a washed-out screen from the glare of bright sunlight, or the angle of the screen or maybe even your sunglasses making it […]

There is a white jig hanging in BOTH of these jars. Surely most anglers would say they prefer fishing in transparent water like that on the right. But muddy-water fishing isn’t as hard as it might seem if you learn a few tricks. (Photo: Keith Sutton)   Crappie in the Mud   One of my […]

  Answers about Sonar Technology by Brad Wiegmann   (Editor’s Note: Please welcome writer, photographer and crappie fishing expert extraordinaire, Brad Wiegmann, to the elite stable of CrappieNOW Magazine contributors. Every month Wiegmann will be providing the absolute latest and greatest information on the ever-changing world of fishing electronics.)   Editor’s Note: When shopping for […]

Brandon Jennings caught a pile of big crappie at Washington Lake. (Photo courtesy Brandon Jennings)   Catch Crappie When the Going Gets Tough by Kenneth L. Kieser When the going gets tough, the tough get going   Crappie are usually structure-oriented fish, that is no secret. So how do you fish lakes with limited structure, […]

  Coconut and Cajun Crappie by Vernon Summerlin   Baked Crappie: Coconut & Cajun-Style, plus a Hot Spinach Dip As a child, I would spend a whole dime (and maybe get some change back) to buy a coconut at the Jitney Jungle – or was it Piggly Wiggly? I’d put it in my bike’s basket […]

In some areas this year, the ice was slow to thicken up. But by now most hard water anglers are exploring. Nick Linder shares some of his favorite lures when fishing early ice.   Crappie Basics – Best Baits Fishing Early Ice   Born into the legendary Linder family, Nick Lindner grew up with a […]

  The Exploding World of Electronic Marine Mounts by Brad Wiegmann   (Editor’s Note: Please welcome writer, photographer and crappie fishing expert extraordinaire, Brad Wiegmann, to the elite stable of CrappieNOW Magazine contributors. Every month Wiegmann will be providing the absolute latest and greatest information on the ever-changing world of fishing electronics.)     Did […]

Winter anglers may have to dig deep in their tackle to devise ways to catch finicky cold-water crappie. (Photo: Keith Sutton)     6 Ways to Catch More Cold-Water Crappie by Keith Sutton Don’t let winter weather put a damper on your crappie fishing. The following hints can help you catch more slabs under frigid […]

Creole Crappie Nuggets by Vernon Summerlin   Creole Crappie Nuggets & Tartar-Dill Dipping Sauce 2 pounds crappie fillets cut into 1 1/2-inch chunks 1 cup all-purpose flour 1/2 cup ground cornmeal 2 tablespoons Cajun Creole seasoning 1 teaspoon onion powder 1 teaspoon garlic powder 1/2 teaspoon ground red pepper (cayenne) 1 egg Salt 1/4 cup […]

Cleanup is necessary to help cure the trash problems in our waterways. It’s up to all of us to keep our waters clean. Be a solution, not the problem. (Contributed Photo)   Yamaha – More Than Just Great Motors by Tim Huffman A New Electric Powerhouse   Yamaha Marine introduced its HARMO electric outboard motor […]

  Christmas Crappie for a Unique Option by Vernon Summerlin   Last year I featured the elaborate Feast of Seven Fishes for Christmas Eve that dates back to the Roman era. This year I’m offering you several recipes that don’t focus on a certain date but keep them in mind to titillate your taste buds. […]

Capt. Corey Thomas has been a guide for only two years, but he says he has fished the professional crappie circuit for ten years. "Becoming a guide has always been my dream," he said. (Photo: Richard Simms)   Dale Hollow's Well-kept Crappie Secret by Richard Simms, CrappieNOW Editor   CELINA, Tenn. - If you are [...]

Capt. Greg Karch with one of the obviously happy participants of this year’s Learn 2 Fish With Us clinics. (Contributed Photo)   Crappie Basics – A Great Year for Learn 2 Fish   With the end of the 2021 upon us, Learn 2 Fish With Us asked to thank all of its great sponsors for […]

Dustin Hobbs knows that the cold of winter can be a great time to catch big crappies in Kansas. (Contributed Photo)   Cold weather brings hot crappie fishing in Kansas by Brent Frazee   Dustin Hobbs looks forward to the kind of weather some, or most, fishermen dread. About the time fair-weather fishermen start storing […]

When the weather’s frosty, and a slight fog may be on the water, Brad Whitehead shoots docks to find slabs   Break the Rules to Catch More Winter Crappie by John E. Phillips Tournament fishermen know that to catch the biggest crappie in any lake, you need to fish a place where no one else […]

Professional MLF bass angler David Walker has won more than $2 million on the pro bass circuit, but he is quickto admit he also has an addiction to crappie. (Contributed Photo)   Panfish Bait of the Future? Pro angler David Walker makes a case for crappies and ElaZtech®   Even among the nation’s best bass […]

If you’re interested in venturing into the world of professional crappie fishing, there are three main national circuits to chose from.   Considering Fishing a Crappie Tournament Circuit? by Tim Huffman Three National Trails Offer Good Options   Softball, golf and running have events for all skill levels from beginners to serious athletes. So does […]

Besides coordinating and collaborating with our writers and contributing his own content periodically, CrappieNOW Editor Richard Simms also shares his freelance journalistic talents for other media outlets. We’re proud that Simms has amassed an impressive array of awards in outdoor journalism competitions across the country recently. TOWA EXCELLENCE IN CRAFT In Simms’s home state, the […]

  Crappie Burgers & Mayo by Vernon Summerlin   The origin of the burger may never be known but I think we can credit an angler’s wife for the creating the crappie burger. Some food historians believe that the hamburger was invented by a cook who placed a Hamburg steak (so called because its origin […]

River Bottom Boys Guide Stephan Scudder shows off the best of Lake Fork with a black and white crappie. (Photo: Scott MacKenthun)   Everything Grows Big in Texas, Crappie Included by Scott MacKenthun   PROLOGUE Jacob “Bubba” Scudder was just a week past his 13th birthday when he was shot in the face with a […]

Blaine Salter, Jr. put on an absolute dock-shooting clinic for visitors to the 2021 Crappie Expo. (Photo: Tim Huffman)   Products and Tips from Crappie Expo 2021 by Tim Huffman   Crappie Expo 2021 and the Mr. Crappie Invitational Tournament were held in Shreveport Louisiana, October 1-3. Vendors filled the Shreveport Coliseum displaying boats and […]

When flood control reservoir water levels drop in the Fall, crappie anglers will often find fish that have simply backed off into deeper water, near those shallow water areas you were fishing in the summer. (Photo: Richard Simms)   Crappie Basics – Fishing and Scouting Low Water by Tim Huffman   Routinely all game fish, […]

Crappie Pot Pies by Vernon Summerlin   You’ll love the convenience of making crappie pot pies then taking some from your freezer, baking and serving them – if you can wait that long. Or just skip the freezing and go straight to the baking and eating. Or mo’ better yet, make a gaggle of them […]

Crappie with style love bling in the fall. (Photo: Eddy Stahowiak)   Fling Your Bling at Fall Crappie by Kenneth L. Kieser   I caught my first two-pound crappie a few decades ago. We were fishing over submerged crappie beds. But we weren’t fishing jigs OR minnows. Accomplished crappie anglers have different and sometimes unique ways […]

Gerald Overstreet (left) and his partner, Steve Brown, show the potential benefits of drop-shotting for fall crappie. (Photo: Richard Simms)   Drop Shottin’ Fall Crappie by Tim Huffman   Crappie fishing evolves as more techniques and great new electronics are created. Gerald Overstreet, tournament fisherman and Alabama fishing guide, says fishing is still about getting […]

  Crappie En Papillote by Vernon Summerlin   I ordinarily don’t know what my monthly recipe will be and which tidbit I’ll expand on until I sit at my computer. This time, however, it came from reading Consumers Report’s monthly newsletter, On Health. Their topic for August was steaming fish, poultry and veggies for low-calorie […]

Crappie Magnet Loc N’ Knoc jig retriever, Smith Products Aluminum Pliers, Jenko Jig Box   Fishing for Crappie Tackle at 2021 ICAST by Ron Wong Although the 2021 ICAST show was not as big as it normally is, it was still impossible to see all the vendors.  It is like being a kid in a […]

Marilyn Black with Black Crappie Flash & Dash for Crappie by Darl Black Know When to Throw ‘em   As a youngster in the early 1960s – before all the fancy soft plastic jig bodies with action tails appeared on the market – I fished for crappies with 1/16-ounce Beetle Spin which provided a colorful […]

In the Spotlight: James Bryant by Tim Huffman   James Bryant is owner of the American Crappie Trail (ACT) and is co-owner of Bryant’s Osage Outdoors in Laurie, Missouri. He agreed to answer questions concerning his new ownership of ACT and answer some fun personal stuff. What’s new with ACT? “It’s only been a few […]

The Importance of Knives by Vernon Summerlin   Best Chef and Fillet Knives Epicurious.com is a food resource for the home cook with daily kitchen tips, cooking videos, recipes and test kitchen. I recently found this article about chef’s knives. I’ve been slicing, dicing and whacking fish and game for more than a half-century. I’ve […]

Crappie Basics – Buy Winter Fishing Gear Now for Bargains   Are you one of those people who goes out and buys Christmas ornaments right AFTER Christmas because you know they’ll be on sale? Or maybe you even buy fireworks after the 4th of July to (safely) store until next year? You know the prices […]

Kim Burnett is known for the colorful hair jigs he ties and sells through his Crappie Stopper Co.     The Art of Tying Crappie Jigs by Brent Frazee Kansas fisherman’s tackle box is full of colorful baits he creates.   Sitting in a boat over a brush pile, Kim Burnett methodically offered the crappie […]

Steve Brown (right) and his B’n’M Pro Staff partner, Gerald Overstreet, show off four good reasons anglers would enjoy a visit to Elmore County to fish the Alabama River. (Photo: Richard Simms)   Alabama River Summer Crappie by Tim Huffman   Mixing a fishing trip with family vacation can be exciting and memorable. In May […]

The designer says the flat tail on the Guppy Gobbler allows fishermen to rig the bait two different ways for two different actions.     NEW PRODUCT: TopHat Jigs Guppy Gobbler by Richard Simms   Someone is always trying to build a better mouse trap. The crappie jig market is no different and one new […]

Ken Smith (left) and buddy Tim Odem enjoy a rainy morning of crappie fishing on Mosquito Lake.   Destination: Mosquito Creek Lake, Ohio by Darl Black   Mosquito Creek Lake in northeast Ohio is part of the Ohio/PA crappie triad – one of three outstanding crappie-producing waters near the border of these two states. Pymatuning […]

Florida crappie guide Jack Smith with Georgia Carter Turner and a nice West Volusia, FL nighttime slab. (Photo: Ron Presley)   Living the Crappie Night Life by Ron Presley      Hot summer temperatures make for uncomfortable crappie fishing. However, there is an easy solution to the problem – fish at night! There is more than comfort […]

Kirby Ham, who runs the Crappie Kirby Guide Service in Kansas, shows off proof-positive that fishermen can benefit by matching the hatch.   Match the Hatch, Even for Crappie by Brent Frazee Trout fishermen routinely try to “match the hatch.” But crappie anglers need to do the same.   On a cool mid-April evening, Kirby […]

In the Spotlight: Gary Dollahon by Tim Huffman Dollahon PR is a powerhouse in the outdoor industry   Born in 1953, Gary Dollahon is originally from New Mexico, but now lives in Oklahoma with his wife, Donna. They have two children and three grandchildren. His home lake is Ft. Gibson, but he has six good […]

Travis Bullock with daughter, Keegan with some post-spawn slabs from Missouri’s Truman Lake. Catching Crappie After the Spawn by Ron Wong New fishing time, new techniques   No matter what body of water you fish, after crappie spawn, generally in shallower water, they are going to move to cover or structure. That’s where they will […]

Charles Bunting gets back into a brushy, shallow pocket to find some high-water fish. Slow trolling and jigging using LiveScope are two great techniques.   High Water Crappie Tactics by Tim Huffman Don’t let high water scare you away   A spring cold front with heavy rains followed by high water… every fisherman’s nightmare. Crappie […]

Day in, day out there are probably far more crappie caught from the bank than there are out of a boat. In keeping with our theme to help anglers who don’t have a boat, we’re sharing this video from Fle Fly fishing lures. Jeff Williams demonstrates his technique for finding crappie in places where many [...]

When most of us think of bank fishing or even wade fishing, we envision a grassy, park-like shoreline with ample room to cast your lures. You’re just doing it from the bank instead of a boat. You can learn more about wade fishing in this story by John David Santi   [North Mississippi Wade Fishing] Or, [...]

A 5-weight rod, weight-forward line, 3X-fluorocarbon tippet, and a box of flies make up my travel pack. (Photo: Jim Mize)   Have a Crappie Day with a Fly Rod by Jim Mize Whether seeking shallow crappie or jigging brush and treetops, a fly rod can be just the ticket.   I have a habit of […]

In the Spotlight: Terry Stewart by Tim Huffman Terry Stewart reveals fishing and personal information in this month’s Spotlight.   “Terry is one of the most accomplished LiveScopers and probably the best crappie fisherman in [Mississippi],” says Kent Driscoll, BnM Pro Staff Manager. “He has won tournaments at all levels. If I had to use […]

Noisy, rattling baits keep fish in your strike zone longer. Try dropping a jig with bait to seal the deal on fussy crappie, as the author’s daughter, Quinn, did with this slab. (Photo: Scott MacKenthun)     Rattling Roamers Under Ice by Scott MacKenthun Fishermen usually like to be quiet and stealthy. But sometimes making […]

Mike Kuna shows off a nice-sized black crappie taken through the ice. Water temperature is somewhere between 39 and 32 degrees. (Photo: Darl Black)   Essentials for Slabs on Ice by Darl Black Basic equipment for icing crappies   If the long-range forecast holds true, most northern states can expect a continued cold winter compared […]

Most anglers agree that crappie are primarily sight feeders but there are situations when some added smell will make the difference between a bad day and a good day. Baitmate and Crappie Magnet Slab Bites are just two of the choice’s crappie anglers have to add a little extra smell to their crappie lures.   […]

Weiss Lake crappie are eager to take anglers’ offerings, and they bite year-round. (Photo: Ed Masburn)   Weiss Lake – A Deep South Crappie Paradise by Ed Mashburn Lake Weiss offers crappie anglers year-round opportunity for catching lots of big crappie.   The long pole seemed to bend over double as something took my mini-jig […]

Whether fishing for crappies in Misery Bay, Marina Lake or Head-of-the-Bay, you will also catch bluegills and yellow perch.   Destination: Icing PA’s Presque Isle Bay Crappies by Darl Black A fishing trip to Presque Isle Bay can also be an educational experience on the history and ecology of Lake Erie.   During the winter, […]

Sure, winter fishing can be cold, as far as the weather is concerned. But it can still provide hot crappie fishing. (Photo: Richard Simms)   Crappie Action in Dead of Winter by Tim Huffman Crappie action isn’t dead just because the temperatures are frigid. Fishing can be good if a fisherman is prepared and able […]

Advanced Electronics – Sonar, down-imaging, side-imaging, 360 and Livescope have all taken the fishing world by storm. Will high-tech advanced electronics lead to a decline in game fish populations? (Photo: Richard Simms)   In our December issue, CrappieNOW Editor Richard Simms shared an editorial about the potential impact of high-tech electronics on fishing. Some well-known […]

Bob Latendresse shows us what Kentucky Lake offers anglers on a cold winter’s day. (Photo: Vernon Summerlin)   Crappies in Overcoats by Vernon Summerlin Detailed tips for popular Tennessee lake   Catching crappies in January can even be better than in the spring. They become tight-knit groups, more so than at other times of the […]

Consistent catching of crappie like this earned Scott Bunch (left) and Neal Alvis (right) the Crappie USA National Points Championship in 2020.   Winning Ways in Crappie USA by Ron Presley Angler Team of the Year offers tips for successful crappie fishing.   Successful tournament crappie fishing depends heavily on pre-fishing and doing your homework […]

Early morning fishing in the Fall may include some fog, but searching open water for schools of shad, then working the area, can lead to great results. (Photo: Tim Huffman) November Crappie… North, South, and In-Between by Tim Huffman November is a great time to chase crappie. The lakes are less crowded and crappie are […]

Many of Darl Black’s friends agree: the late fall crappie bite in western Pennsylvania is the most consistent day-to-day fishing of the entire season. The deepwater crappies are in no hurry to go anywhere, and more fish continue to arrive – at least until ice-up. (Photo: Darl Black)   Going Straight Down in Late Fall […]

Double jig rigs will work well for jigging over structure. (Photo: Ed Mashburn)   Winter Open Water Crappie by Ed Mashburn Don’t Sweat the Cold   It’s cold and the wind is blowing. The warm, pleasant days of spring and the red-hot spawning crappie bite are long over. But don’t be overly tempted to settle […]

Video Tip: Loop Knots Loop knots can increase the action on your lures   Loop knots are extremely important to anglers who use artificial lures because they allow the baits to have the most action possible. You can find dozens of excellent examples for tying loop knots on YouTube.  

During the winter drawdown on I-55 lakes in Mississippi, Clay Blair says, “Fish ledges and points for crappie.” (Photo: Ron Wong)   Winter Slabs on the I-55 Lakes by Ron Wong Catching Crappie After the Drawdown   Each year, the big 4 lakes: Arkabutla, Sardis, Enid and Grenada on I-55 in Mississippi experience major drawdowns […]

Brad Wiegmann shows off a plump white crappie caught while pushing crankbaits.   Pushing for Crappies Find crappie-catching milk runs   by Scott Mackenthun When crappie schools spread out in large reservoirs and lakes, you can bet fishing guide Brad Wiegmann will be ready to cover water to find them, and he knows just the […]

With a LiveScope peering beneath a boat dock, you can almost count the number of crappie gathered around the dock pilings. Of course, that doesn’t mean they will all bite like this one did. (Photo: Richard Simms)   LiveScope Unlocks Crappie Mysteries, by Brent Frazee Electronics help fishermen discover what makes crappies bite   Charlie […]

Kent Driscoll is a major player in the sport of crappie fishing. by Tim Huffman If you follow the crappie fishing “network,” it is very likely you have heard the name, “Kent Driscoll.” Driscoll, born in 1967, lives in Nolensville, Tennessee near his home lake of J. Percy Priest. His real job is as Vice […]

There are a variety of small, high resolution cameras on the market these days. Here is a first-hand review of some of the pros and cons of one of the latest such cameras on the market from Tactacam. (Image courtesy Tactacam)   FISH-i Tactacam Review Capture your catch on video by Richard Simms Every now […]

Jeff Barnes plots his course with his Lowrance electronics while practicing his point-to-point technique of pulling crankbaits. (Photo: Greg McCain)   Map Your Way to Crankbaiting Success With crankbaiting there’s no end to crappie season   by Greg McCain Analytics and crappie fishing are rarely part of the same conversation. However North Alabama crappie angler […]

Jarmo Rapala, once Rapala’s chief fishing lure designer, has now joined with Northland Fishing Tackle.   Northland Fishing Tackle Buys Bagley Bait Company Legendary lure designer Jarmo Rapala joins Northland   BEMIDJI, Minn. – Northland® Fishing Tackle CEO Gregg Wollner announced recently that his company bought the Bagley® Bait Company. Bagley Bait Company will transition […]

Marilyn Black with a brace of crappies from Conneaut Lake.  (Photo: Darl Black)   Summer Crappies on Northern Natural Lakes, by Darl Black Go Natural in the Summer! by Darl Black   Most northern natural lakes came into being during the Ice Age. Created by advancing and retreating glaciers, natural lakes dot the landscape from […]

Will larger size limits and smaller creel limits result in bigger crappie, or more crappie? Most fisheries biologists say, “Not necessarily.” We share your opinions from our CrappieNOW opinion survey. This giant crappie statue is located at Kirby Pocket on the well-known Reelfoot Lake in Tennessee.   And the Survey Says… CrappieNOW Editor Richard Simms […]

Dickey Porter demonstrates proper “dock shooting form.” It takes practice to perfect the art of skipping tiny crappie jigs up underneath shaded docks, but the technique can pay huge dividends. (Photo: Richard Simms)   Reaching Crappie that are Hard to Reach Shooting docks – by fine-tuning their gear and their technique, crappie anglers can reach […]

Shooting docks is a prime summertime technique for crappie anglers. Read much more in this month’s article by Ed Mashburn (SHOOTING DOCKS STORY). But here CrappieNOW Editor Richard Simms and his friend, Dickey Porter, demonstrate how and why it works so well on video. We hope you will watch and learn.  

Professional crappie anglers Steve Coleman and Ronnie Capps with proof-positive that Northern Mississippi reservoirs, such as Grenada, are the most productive crappie lakes in the country. (Photo: Richard Simms) The Most Productive Crappie Lakes on the Planet Welcome to the Yazoo River Basin by Scott MacKenthun   Across a wide swath of northwest Mississippi, south […]

Dan Dannenmueller, also known as “Crappie Dan,” is the Publisher of CrappieNOW as well as an accomplished professional crappie angler.   In the Spotlight…Dan Dannenmueller by Tim Huffman   A familiar face on the American Crappie Trail, Crappie Masters Tournament Trail, personal appearances and seminars across the country, Dan Dannenmueller, loves to promote the sport […]

Rick Dykstra with a stringer of specks from Kansas’ Millford Reservoir caught while pitching docks. (Photo: Mike Gnatkowski) Nebraska Crappie Fest Check out these Midwest crappie hotspots by Mike Gnatkowski Crappie fishing on Nebraska reservoirs can be feast or famine, but just like Kansas, there has been a crappie boom following the recent years of exceptionally […]

Roger Gant – Take a look at his side-pulling technique, highlights and a few personal tidbits by Tim Huffman Roger Gant’s resume includes guide, business owner and competitive tournament fisherman. His Pro Guide Service targets Pickwick and nearby lakes. He is known for side pulling, a technique he made famous when featured on television shows […]

by Richard Simms For crappie anglers, setting up your rod holders are limited only by your own imagination. Every boat and every style of fishing introduces new variables. But CrappieNOW Editor Richard Simms (also an East Tennessee seasonal crappie guide) shares the set-up he has successfully used for decades. Of course, whether he is catfishing […]

It’s time to long-line by Richard Simms Most anglers who have crappie fished for a while know that the pre-spawn period is a great time for long-line trolling – putting multiple lines in the water and slowly moving along. During the pre-spawn crappie often don’t orient to structure. Instead they are basically migrating from deeper […]

Joe Bragg got a sneak peak of what spring will bring by catching limits of crappies on Kansas reservoirs such as Melvern.  Photo: Brent Frazee Boom Times for Kansas Crappie High water kept Kansas fishermen off reservoirs in 2019, but that flooding was a blessing in disguise. by Brent Frazee Short-term pain, long-term gain. That […]

Crappie Dan offers some tips on the most efficient way to pre-tie crappie fishing rigs. Getting rigs tied in advance saves time on the water which means more fish in the boat.

By Vic Attardo Most normal folks will, at some point in the winter, swing their legs up on a couch and watch a football game. Even those not into sports will use their couch for comfort viewing of some TV game. But dare I say it, Vermont’s Jamie Vladyka and many of his ice fishing […]

By Tim Huffman Finding the right fishing spots is what separates most fishermen. When fish are in a neutral feeding mood, fishermen putting the bait in the right spots are the ones who will end the day with a better stringer of crappie. Who better to ask about this than tournament fishermen who travel to […]