OPENING CAST JUNE 2025
My partner many years ago, Bill Braswell, also known as Braz, told me when I started fishing crappie tournaments with him that, “It’s the little things” you must consider to be a successful crappie fisherperson.
I have learned over the years; this is so true for these sometimes-finicky fish. Sharing some of these hopefully will help you.
Eye Hole Jig Creator (Almost) Tells All
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. The meeting of the minds was headquartered at the brand new 17 Springs sports complex.
Destination: Dale Hollow – Slaying Slabs
by Rob Somerville
Would you like to fish for giant slab crappie in water so deep and clear it makes you want to take a drink of it?
If your answer is, “Yes,” which I am sure it is, you need to hook up with the “Slayer of Slabs” – Corey Thomas, a crappie guide on Dale Hollow Lake. I did and it was a dream of a trip, where two-pound crappies weren’t the exception. They were the norm.
Dissecting Brushpiles
by Tim Huffman
It is really no secret to any crappie angler that the tasty fish have an affectionate love affair with brushpiles. Brushpiles, stakebeds, treetops, or other similar crappie palaces are places where fish can find shade, food and protection from bigger fish. But some places we fish have an overabundance of brushpiles and treetops. So how do you sort through them to know which are the best places to target.
Unknown Lakes That You Should Know
by Richard Hines
Several years ago, I was visiting my son in Texas. I had no more than walked in the door when he told me we were heading out at daylight the next morning to fish one of the lakes in nearby Caddo National Grassland.
A grassland did not strike me as a place to find crappie, but I was in for a surprise.
Crappie Basics: KFRED Seasoning & Fish Batter
by Richard Simms, CrappieNOW Editor
Like so many entrepreneurs these days, Kendall Frederick’s business venture was born on YouTube.
“The first decent video on my channel was me tying a crappie jig,” said Frederick. “And from there it really took off. I started doing fishing videos and then trapping pigs…
Lure of the Month: Z-Man Guppy GrubZ
by Terry Madewell
Innovation and progress are partners in the incremental development of new ideas, concepts, and crappie fishing lures. Lure designers continually seek ways to improve existing products.
While progress is often a process of trial and error, sometimes blending proven concepts to create a new profile works as well as planned.
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 so fast, says the legendary Mr. Crappie, Wally Marshall.
Crappie Basics: St. Croix Customer Appreciate Day
by Richard Simms, CrappieNOW Editor
PARK FALLS, Wis. – St. Croix Rods invites anglers to join in celebration of fishing at its 2025 Customer Appreciation Day, Saturday, June 21 at the St. Croix Factory in Park Falls, Wisconsin. You can be there in person or enjoy some sessions online.
Crappie Dreams
It is a beautiful late Spring morning. The rising sun reflects on the water. Birds are singing. An eagle watches me from his perch on an old dead tree. Deer are at the edge of the lake for a morning drink. I see no other fishermen. I have the water all to myself.
I cast my crappie jig toward some standing timber and start working it back to the boat. I feel a thump and set the hook. My rod doubles over.
