OPENING CAST JULY 2025
“Looking behind the curtain” is an expression that means to see or reveal the true nature, inner workings, or secrets of something that is usually hidden or not openly known.
I was privileged to get a look behind the curtain at the Pure Fishing/Berkley Labs operation in Spirit Lake, Iowa recently. It was fascinating to see the technology and expertise involved in cranking out soft plastics for anglers around the world.
Fireworks on the Water: Explosive Crappie Action!
by Tim Huffman
The temperatures are hot and so is the fishing, if you do it the right way. We spoke with three experts who shared their go-to techniques for catching crappie in July. Following their advice can bring bent poles and plenty of fishing fireworks.
America’s Top States
for Slab Crappie
by Keith Sutton
Crappie fishing is a beloved pastime across the United States, but not all waters are created equal when it comes to producing true slabs—crappie weighing 2-1/2 to 3 pounds and more.
Hooked on Happiness: The Magic of Taking Kids Fishing
by Richard Simms, CrappieNOW Editor
The CrappieNOW and CatfishNOW teams recently gathered in Millbrook, Ala. for their annual Media Camp. Dozens of journalists, content creators, fishing guides and manufacturing representatives gathered to enjoy the great facilities – and great fishing offered in Elmore County.
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 anglers do. When the air temperature soars in July and August, the crappie and their prey often become even more predictable.
Fishing New Water: When, Where and How
by Richard Hines
Every angler has faced the challenge; you are heading to a new lake that you know little or nothing about. You think to yourself, “this is a no brainer, this lake must be loaded with crappie.”
Lure of the Month: American BaitWorks, NanoSwim
by Terry Madewell
The key to Crappie fishing success can be as simple as having a lure that can be fished in multiple ways and is productive on different targets. The ability to meet various conditions is crucial during the summer, when several fishing options may be productive on a given lake.
Product Buzz
by Scott Mackenthun
Fish an economy plastic minnow that will last through a whole weekend of hooksets, use a device to find the thermocline and fish fast, try a fusion jig that transmits all the feels with the attraction of a dressed jig, and block the sun from your eyes without inconvenient sunglass fogging. It’s time to get the buzz on gear from CrappieNOW Writer Scott Mackenthun.
Virginia Angler Misses IGFA Record Crappie Due to Technicality
by Bob McNally, Outdoor Life
Tim White, from Virginia, caught what clearly would have been a new IGFA World Record Black Crappie (catch & release category). However, as reported by Bob McNally in Outdoor Life, White couldn’t be awarded the record because he didn’t follow proper procedures.
West Virginia Black Crappie Record Broken
by Bob McNally, Outdoor Life
Jerry Porter and pals, Ron and Rodney Shelton, were having a banner morning of spring-spawning crappie action on West Virginia’s 1,000-acre East Lynn Lake on May 6 of this year. It was 9 am when Porter hooked a fish bigger than the others.
Independence Day
by Larry Whiteley
It was Independence Day several years ago. Yes, I still call it Independence Day, not the 4th of July. The news media and all the businesses trying to sell you something can call it the 4th of July if they want, but to me, it will always be Independence Day.
Summer crappie fishing can be a blast if you know where to look and how to adapt to their warm-weather behavior. Here’s a couple of baits to help you catch more slabs during the summer months.
