OPENING CAST JULY 2024
As we’ve shared, in May the CrappieNOW crew, fishing guides, manufacturers and tourism officials gathered at Barnett Reservoir in Ridgeland, Mississippi for the 2024 Media Camp. It was an opportunity for media-content gathering and fellowship.
It was there I finally got to shake the hand of Jeff Smith, the owner/operator of Trout Magnet and Crappie Magnet – the maker of some of the most popular trout and crappie lures on the market. [READ MORE]
Forward-Facing Sonar Leads to Crappie Creel Reduction in Mississippi, by Richard Simms, CrappieNOW Editor
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 […]
From Rods to Relaxation: Exploring Ridgeland’s Tourism Scene, by Audrey Harviel
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 [...]
How NOT to Spook Crappie, by Tim Huffman
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 […]
Mastering Summer Crappie, by Keith Sutton
Tips from topnotch crappie anglers like Barry Morrow, pictured here, can help you learn methods for putting more summer crappie in your livewell. (Photo courtesy Barry Morrow) Mastering Summer Crappie by Keith Sutton I love crappie fishing. I’ve been chasing slabs for 58 years on waters nationwide and have learned many tricks for catching them. […]
Crappie Basics: Try a Crankbait Trailer Jig, by Richard Simms
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 […]
Electronics: Wait Until You See This Screen, by Brad Wiegmann
Can you spot the monitor in this group of sonar/GPS units? The NBT Marine Electronics is similar to a regular unit, but cost less and is a better option for many crappie anglers. (Photo: Brad Wiegmann) Electronics: Wait Until You See This Screen by Brad Wiegmann Just when you thought your boat has […]
Kansas Pro Prefers Quality over Quantity, by Brent Frazee
Frank Haidusek holds proof that he knows how to catch 2-pound crappies when he fishes Kansas reservoirs such as El Dorado. (Photo: Brent Frazee) Kansas Pro Prefers Quality over Quantity by Brent Frazee Frank Haidusek stared at the screen of his Garmin Livescope and watched as an appealing picture of a big school of […]
Product Buzz, by Scott Mackenthun
Product Buzz by Scott Mackenthun Macula Tackle Easy Tie Eyelet Jigs Independently owned and operated in Minnesota, Macula Tackle jigs all feature easy tie eyelets in a variety of fish-catching color patterns and sizes. If you’ve struggled with being able to see eyelets without a set of cheater glasses, these jigs are a perfect solution. [...]
Lure of the Month: Berkley Gulp! Alive! Minnow, by Terry Madewell
Lure of the Month: Berkley Gulp! Alive! Minnow by Terry Madewell Crappie-catching lures are evaluated in multiple ways, and for me the first is to gauge results on the day I’m fishing it as a simple proof-of-performance criteria. Another factor is longevity of that performance over multiple trips. When fishing with a lure I’ve used […]
Going to “The Bank” with Tony Adams on Eufaula Lake, by Richard Simms, CrappieNOW Editor
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 [...]
The Great Outdoors, by Larry Whiteley
INDEPENDENCE DAY Despite what you see and hear from online and big box retailers trying to get your hard-earned money, it is not the 4th of July holiday. Everything you hear and see on television and social media is the 4th of July. We are celebrating Independence Day on the 4th of July. Like most […]
CN – How to: Crappie Dan talks Precision Trolling App
Crappie Dan discusses the Precision Trolling App and how to use it. In this video Dan talks about what lures are on there along with using a tadpole vs not using them.