Lure of the Month: Slab Stacker
by Terry Madewell
A crappie fisherman can’t be in two places at one time, although I’ve experienced many times when I wish I could pull that feat off when trying to pattern finicky crappie.
Sometimes it’s a subtle difference in terms of depth, lure presentation, or the color or profile of the lure that makes a dramatic difference in success.
While I can’t be in two places at the same time, I can use the TTI Blackmore’s proven crappie-catching rig, the Slab Stacker. This rig allows me to fish two different depths while using two different lures and baits simultaneously. It’s all about efficiency and maximizing my chances of a successful catch.
And it makes the TTI Blakemore Slab Stacker, the November 2025 CrappieNOW Lure of the Month.
Ron Stallings, with TTI Blakemore, said the Stab Stacker is a proven veteran of the crappie fishing world.
“Introduced in 2011, the Slab Stacker was an immediate hit because of the versatility it provides,” he said. “It’s continued to fill that two-rig niche with outstanding crappie-catching success through the years. This is a rig you can trust, a rig that has consistently delivered results.”
Stallings said the design of the rig utilizes two hooks, one of which is a jig, the Slab Caller. It’s available in four proven color patterns on this rig, enabling anglers to adapt to dingy or clear water color conditions.
Another unique quality of the Slab Stacker is the use of real chicken feathers on the back of the jig portion of the rig. This may seem like a small detail, but it’s these little things that produce a productive rig and put crappies in the live well.
“The chicken feathers open up better when the lure is swimming, providing better lure appeal,” Stallings said. “It’s one of multiple unique features that make the Slab Stacker stand out from other lures.”
The second hook is for adding a live minnow or plastic body, giving crappies an alternative, presented at a slightly different depth.
“The rig is generally fished tightline, and the Slab Stacker allows the angler to use two baits at one time, increasing the chance of a strike,” said Stallings. “The Slab Stacker keeps baits in the strike zone longer when using a vertical presentation. Anglers can change the pattern by choosing live bait or a plastic on the unique StandOUT hook rig employed on the Slab Stacker. Tipping the Slab Caller jig with the live bait provides the ‘pod’ effect, and the Stacker can increase your strike ratio.
“And when you get the daily pattern figured out, it’s not uncommon to catch two slabs at a time with the appropriately named Slab Stacker,” Stallings said. “Anglers employing Forward Facing Sonar have great success with this lure, it provides great returns via the two-hook rig and enables anglers to present the rig precisely where crappie are holding.”
CrappieNOW Publisher and professional angler Dan Dannenmueller (Crappie Dan) discusses the use of the rig in a video you can watch for additional information: Crappie Dan with Slab Stacker.
Using this lure, it’s clear that it enhances versatility when fishing alone, and is also beneficial when taking a friend or grandkids fishing. The live minnow option is great because young anglers often haven’t learned to detect subtle bites from finicky crappie. But crappies usually inhale a live minnow, so it’s a “two-fer” option that enables anglers to catch fish while learning how to handle subtle bites on a jig.
Terry Madewell of Ridgeway, S.C., has been an outdoor communicator for nearly 50 years. He holds a degree in Wildlife and Fisheries Management and has a long career as a professional wildlife biologist/natural resources manager. He’s passionate about sharing outdoor adventures with others.
