It’s All About Man-Made Structure by Ron Presley Crappie tournaments always offer a challenge of one kind or another. This year’s Crappie USA (CUSA)...
by John E. Phillips “Tony Adams, who will be your fishing guide, assures me he’s found a spot where y’all should be able...
Story & photos by Brent Frazee Things many fishermen take for granted – something as simple as getting into a boat – are...
I’ve seen it many times…a boat so loaded with equipment and tackle it’s an obstacle coarse getting from the seat to the front or...
“I like to jig. I’m not as good a pushing, or spider rigging, but I try to be the best I can be....
Three basic differences separate recreational and tournament fisherman. First, the mental. Recreational fishing means there is little pressure to catch numbers or specific size...
Étouffée is a dish found in both Cajun and Creole cuisine typically served with shellfish over rice. In French, the word étouffée literally means...
GRAND LAKES CRAPPIE SERIES OCTOBER 15th GRAND LAKES 1. Jeff Toben/John Andreoni 2. Jim Freeman/Doug Freeman 3. Mark Puthoff/Mike Shroyer 4. Ryan Kennedy/Scott Sipe...
DEC 2nd KANSAS CRAPPIE CLUB MARION LAKE CLUB DEC 2nd TWIN LAKES CRAPPIE CLUB TWIN LAKES CLASSIC DEC 2nd FLORIDA CRAPPIE CLUB LAKE ROSALIE...
Club Contact Link AMERICAN CRAPPIE TRAIL Matt Morgan FaceBook BEAVER LAKE CRAPPIE CLUB Payton Usery FACEBOOK CAPITOL CRAPPIE CLUB Austin Kneeskern FaceBook CAROLINA CRAPPIE...
Kenny Kieser, accomplished award-winning outdoor writer and photographer, used his talents to create a written and photographic journal of the major flood of...
RECRUITING, RETAINING AND REACTIVATING ANGLERS GAINING MOMENTUM (As Reported by Fishing Tackle Retailer) Recruiting, retaining and reactivating (R3) anglers and boaters is...
by Tim Huffman The depth of winter crappie may be 15, 20, 30, 50 or deeper. The purpose of discussing 20-foot deep stumps is...
Story & photos by: Darl Black When the “gales of November” blow across the Great Lakes, crappie anglers in northern states realize it’s time...
Story & photos by Ron Wong The question that lingers in a lot of fishermen’s mind is, do professional bass fishermen ever fish for...
Story & photos by Ron Wong Lake of the Ozarks, a 110 mile long lake in Missouri welcomed the 44 qualifying teams to the...
November fishing can be some of the best of the year. Fronts are not a big factor like in the spring. Fish are coming...
By John Phillips During the summer months, crappie are looking for cool, highly oxygenated water near structure. When the water temperature heats up,...
Lakes, reservoirs and rivers all have their own characteristics but all can be important choices in your fall-winter fishing. In 2017 the fall has...
Nutritionists claim breakfast is the most important meal of the day. That’s true in my case, however, I postpone dining until I can call...
MAGNOLIA CRAPPIE CLUB SEPTEMBER 16th SARDIS LAKE 1. Jimmy Smith/Ricky Smith 10.79 2. Jimmy Cornell/Richard Adams 10.58 3. Terry Stewart/Cole Stewart 10.48 4. Freddie...
NOV 4th CHATTANOOGA CHESTER FROST PARK CLUB NOV 4th COOSA RIVER LOGAN MARTIN CLUB NOV 4th CRAPPIE NUTZ EUFAULA OPEN NOV 4th KANSAS CRAPPIE...
According to www.fishingtackleretailer.com, Bass Pro Shops founder Johnny Morris challenged families everywhere to get off the couch and head outdoors to discover the fun...
Story & photos by Tim Huffman Many fishermen are comfortable dropping a bait into stained or dingy waters full of snags, stumps and...
By Vic Attardo Crappie fishing is always about where you’re at and where they’re at. They, being the fish. The factum is just as...
Story & photos by Brian Cope In the early days of crappie fishing tournaments, and crappie fishing in general, spider rigging wasn’t a factor....
By Tim Huffman Paul Alpers and Phillip Haynes, the blend of old blood and new, teamed up for an impressive win September 22-23 on...
There are many poles available so choosing can be a confusing choice. Make the wrong one and you end up with a pole that...
Story & photos by Tim Huffman The Lake. Northwest Missouri is full of fun, adventure, fishing and history. It’s a great place to take...
Equipment Needed for Starlight Crappie? By John Phillips “The biggest problem with fishing for crappie during the hot summer months is keeping your minnows...
Nick Deshano, Offshore Tackle, says if you don’t have a line counter there are a couple of ways to know how much line you...
Huevos Rancheros 2 (28-ounce) cans diced tomatoes 1 tablespoon packed brown sugar 1 tablespoon lime juice 1 onion, chopped 1/2 cup chopped canned green...
HOI CRAPPIE CLUB SEPTEMBER 9th 1. Dan/Brent 2. Kristen/Chad 3. Aaron/Lee BIG FISH 1. Aaron/Lee INDIANA SLAB MASTERS SEPTEMBER 9th BROOKVILLE 1. Doug Allen/Larry...
OCT 1st GRAND LAKES CRAPPIE SERIES GRAND LAKES CLASSIC OCT 7th CRAPPIE NUTZ BLACKSHEAR OPEN OCT 7th KANSAS CRAPPIE CLUB MELVERN LAKE CLUB OCT...
Stubby Steve’s Attractant stubbysteve.com Fishermen work hard to avoid unwanted scents on their jigs including gas, sunscreen, bologna and other unnatural smells. Just as...
Tim Huffman Power-Pole Charge Station The Charge Marine Power Station is the world’s first AC/DC and bi-directional, all-in-one marine battery manager and charter. It’s...
Story & photos by John Neporadny Jr. The bane of bass anglers in the fall can also lead to cases of anxiety for crappie...
The fall turnover is when the cool air temps start cooling the upper level of water. When the upper level gets cooler and heavier...
Story & Photos by Greg McCain As president and owner of Crappie Masters, Mike Vallentine enjoys a job with benefits. He travels to the...
By Tim Huffman It’s no secret that September and October are months when crappie transition from summer homes to fall spots. Cooling water triggers...
by John Phillips The night was muggy. The big, thick, mushroom-shaped clouds allowed the moon only an occasional glimpse of our boat out in...
“Areas of concentration for cranks can be on main lake points. Old river beds, creek channels and large flats are slow good choices. As...
I just added a gem to my cookbook library by Stacy Lyn Harris, Harvest. Chef Stacy Lyn is a fellow Alabamian and a bestselling...
CRAPPIE ANGLERS OF TEXAS JULY 16th LAKE FORK DIVISION 1 1. Paul Obier/George Nelon 11.76 2. Jerry Hancock/James Pegram 11.16 3. Jay Reve/Rhonda Reve...
Sept 2nd KANSAS CRAPPIE CLUB HILLSDALE CLUB Sept 9th FLORIDA CRAPPIE CLUB LAKE MONROE CLUB Sept 9th HOI CRAPPIE CLUB EVERGREEN POINTS/CLUB Sept 9th...
Club Contact Link AMERICAN CRAPPIE TRAIL Matt Morgan FaceBook BAYOU STATE CRAPPIE ASSOCIATION Brandon Jennings FaceBook CAPITOL CRAPPIE CLUB Austin Kneeskern FaceBook CAROLINA CRAPPIE...
Story & photos by John E. Phillips To catch the most and biggest crappie in any lake or river that you fish, during any...
By Tim Huffman International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades (ICAST) held the world’s largest trade show at Orange County Convention Center in Orlando...
According to the Boat Owners Association of the United States, crime rings are responsible for stealing boats, Yamaha outboard engines, Garmin electronics and...
Bass Pro Shops has always been a top national retailer of outdoor gear and apparel. They were named one of “America’s Most Reputable Companies”...
Without a doubt the best jig color is red/chartreuse. What? You don’t agree? Just because you catch a thousand or so this year on...
by Ron Presley Whether you want to enjoy the fishing or take in the sights, it would be hard to find a more beautiful...
By John N. Felsher On many waters, a multitude of docks, fishing piers, boathouses or other manmade objects protrude from the shoreline. These docks...
Without a doubt the best jig color is red/chartreuse. What? You don’t agree? Just because you catch a thousand or so this year on...
Gremolata, part condiments and part garnish, is one of those dishes where synergy creates something that tastes better than the sum of its parts....
Twenty Sixth Annual Camp 7 Kids Fishing Day Attracts Over 350 Youth Saturday, June 10th was Michigan’s Free Fishing Weekend along with National Fishing...
AMERICAN CRAPPIE TRAIL JUNE 23rd – 24th SARDIS LAKE 1. Terry Stewart/Cole Stewart 21.46 2. Brad Calhoon/Clay Blaire 20 3. Michael Walters/Rick Soloman 19.47...
Club Contact Link AMERICAN CRAPPIE TRAIL Matt Morgan FaceBook BAYOU STATE CRAPPIE ASSOCIATION Brandon Jennings FaceBook CAPITOL CRAPPIE CLUB Austin Kneeskern FaceBook CAROLINA CRAPPIE...
By Darl Black In my home state of Pennsylvania, so many anglers flock to area lakes seeking crappies in the spring that on pleasant...
by Tim Huffman A great place to learn, have fun and connect with local fishermen is club tournaments. A relatively new club that has...
Planer Boards are proven successful for crappie crankbaiters. Offshore Tackle’s Nick Deshano says pulling planers has to be done right but it’s easy to...
By Josh Gowan Fishing for crappie has as many tactical approaches as any other game fish, including bass, and anglers are only limited by...
Charlie Hildreth, IN, tournament fisherman. “Standard fisherman’s knot, run through and twist it eight times. Run through and through again. It’s good for 90-percent...
Story & photos by John N. Felsher For decades, walleye and striped bass enthusiasts successfully employed planer boards to fish multiple baits at varied...
The most basic graph for a serious crappie fisherman is a sonar and GPS. Even the basic models are very good. More serious fishermen...
June 23-24. Rain and winds of 20 mph gusting to 35 made a tough first day of fishing at Sardis Lake Mississippi at the...
Truman Lake, June 16 & 17 Crappie Masters One-Pole Ultimate Challenge proved to be a tough challenge with many of the teams struggling...
Mediterranean countries are typically characterized by a high consumption of vegetables, olive oil and a moderate amount of protein. It’s thought to be a...
AMERICAN CRAPPIE TRAIL MAY 19th – 20th KENTUCKY LAKE 1. R. Capps/S. Coleman 21.52 2. T.Hughes/B. Gillon 19.86 3. R. McCord/G. McCord 19.26 4....
JULY 1st KANSAS CRAPPIE CLUB DORADO CLUB JULY 8th CENTRAL ARKANSAS BLUE MOUNTAIN LAKE CLUB JULY 8th FLORIDA CRAPPIE CLUB HARRIS CHAIN BUZZARD BEACH...
Club Contact FACEBOOK AMERICAN CRAPPIE TRAIL MATT MORGAN https://www.facebook.com/americancrappietrail/ BAYOU STATE CRAPPIE ASSOCIATION Brandon Jennings https://www.facebook.com/groups/BayouStateCrappie/ CAPITOL CRAPPIE CLUB Austin Kneeskern https://www.facebook.com/groups/984256651629379/ CAROLINA CRAPPIE...
By Tim Huffman Crappie fishing continues to evolve as more techniques are established for special situations. Steve Brown, a tournament fisherman from Alabama and...
“Fish will suspend when it gets really hot but you can still catch a lot of fish. The fish might get right on to...
Story & photos by Tim Huffman Our series experts include Darrell Van Vactor, General Manager of Crappie USA; Mike Vallentine, President and Owner...
Rhonda Reeve was happily fishing Texas club tournaments and national tournaments with her husband, Jay Don Reeve. After several doctor visits she finally landed...
Garry Mason, Founder of the Legends of the Outdoors National Hall of Fame, announces event date and inductees. August 26th, 9:00 a.m., inductees and...
Story & photos by John Phillips Editor’s Note: Jonathan Phillips of Wetumpka, Alabama, is the president of the Central Alabama Crappie Club and guides...
“Lily pads in the summer can be good fishing. When it gets very hot it can still be good. A good place to look...
Story & photos by Vic Attardo Matt Outlaw uses a garden rake when crappie fishing. Actually what he’s wielding is a cross between a...
Let’s cook some fillets and add a couple of fish-enhancing tastes; sesame oil and soy sauce. Historically, sesame plants were cultivated more than 5,000...
COOSA RIVER CRAPPIE CLUB APRIL 15th LAKE GUNTERSVILLE 1. Ronnie Blease/Chad Hale 13.49 2. Stanley Steed/Gary Stephens 13.36 3. Rodger Absher/Darla Absher 12.15 4....
JUNE 3rd KANSAS CRAPPIE CLUB PERRY LAKE CLUB JUNE 3rd CAT TEXAS LAKE LEWISVILLE JR ANGLER TOURNAMENT JUNE 3rd CENTRAL ARKANSAS PECKERWOOD/LAKE DES ARC...
Club Contact FACEBOOK AMERICAN CRAPPIE TRAIL MATT MORGAN https://www.facebook.com/americancrappietrail/ BAYOU STATE CRAPPIE ASSOCIATION Brandon Jennings https://www.facebook.com/groups/BayouStateCrappie/ CAPITOL CRAPPIE CLUB Austin Kneeskern https://www.facebook.com/groups/984256651629379/ CAROLINA CRAPPIE...
Story & photos by Darl Black With the arrival of May up north, it begins to actually feel like spring. Temperatures are finally...
It’s common knowledge that crappie are stressed and not actively feeding immediately following the spawn. They need to rest and recuperated. The good news...
Story & photos by Tim Huffman This issue discusses the “professional” title, winning a classic and winning Angler Team of the Year....
Brandon Jennings, LA, tournament fisherman. “Single-pole fishing is how I learned. It’s about feeling the bite. When he hits I’m going to put a...
Ryan Povolish of Carbondale and Josh Jackson of Cobden never intended to go crappie fishing at Kinkaid Lake on Tuesday, March 28. They had...
Story & photos by Greg McCain Simpler can be better even in the world of crappie fishing. Advanced tactics, advanced electronics, and advanced...
Spike-It UV spray actually brightens up your bait so fish can see it easier. The spray is aerosol so it flies away and won’t...
March 24, 2017. Recently, Learn 2 Fish US Certified Angler Educator, Greg Karch, and Karen Karch, shared their passion for fishing through hosting two...
We’re having a simple meal of crappie fillets, smashed potatoes with banana bread for dessert. It contains my favorite three food groups: fish, fat...
CRAPPIE ANGLERS OF TEXAS MARCH 18th LAKE BELTON DIVISION 1 1. Ken Gaby/Todd Box 11.04 2. Clay Gann/Todd Froebe 10.27 3. Bill Muntz/Bryan Tulius...
MAY 5th – 6th CRAPPIE MASTERS ALABAMA RIVER AL STATE CHAMPOINSHIP MAY 6th COOSA RIVER CEDAR BLUFF/WEISS LAKE KIDS DAY MAY 6th CRAPPIENUTZ TBD...
Club Contact FACEBOOK AMERICAN CRAPPIE TRAIL Matt Morgan https://www.facebook.com/americancrappietrail/ BAYOU STATE CRAPPIE ASSOCIATION Brandon Jennings https://www.facebook.com/groups/BayouStateCrappie/ CAPITOL CRAPPIE CLUB Austin Kneeskern https://www.facebook.com/groups/984256651629379/ CAROLINA CRAPPIE...
By Tim Huffman Recreational and tournament fishermen both benefit from having healthy crappie in the livewell. The following are a few observations, tips...
It would be great if there were magic tips that could lead you to great fishing any time you go. April means warming and...
Story & photos by Tim Huffman Part 5 continues with national circuits. This issue looks at taking care of crappie, the importance...
What Makes One River Ledge Better Than Another River Ledge with Darrell Baker According to Baker, “I don’t know that one river ledge is...
Rivers in Spring Present Challenges, but Also Rewards Story & photos by John N. Felsher Nothing gets dedicated crappie anglers more excited than seeing...
Tony Sheppard with Jenko Fishing says at Kentucky Lake the fish are spawning but don’t get into a hurry to go shallow. Most fishermen...
Story & photos by Greg McCain Crappie migrating to the shallows is one of the rituals of spring. Like children gleaning every last...
Let’s make stuff that’s all about being crispy except for some beans. We’ll bake some fillets, fry a few and crisp-up onion rings, both...
CRAPPIE MASTERS FEBRUARY 24th – 25th LAKE D’ARBONNE 1. Paul Turner/Elizabeth Turner 26.02 2. Brad Chappell/Brandon Fulgham 25.39 3. Kevin Jones/Billy Don Surface 24.94...
Club Contact FACEBOOK AMERICAN CRAPPIE TRAIL Matt Morgan https://www.facebook.com/americancrappietrail/ BAYOU STATE CRAPPIE ASSOCIATION Brandon Jennings https://www.facebook.com/groups/BayouStateCrappie/ CAPITOL CRAPPIE CLUB Austin Kneeskern https://www.facebook.com/groups/984256651629379/ CAROLINA CRAPPIE...
APRIL 1st INDIANA SLAB MASTERS PATOKA LAKE CLUB APRIL 1st KANSAS CRAPPIE CLUB POMONA LAKE CLUB APRIL 1st CAT TEXAS LAKE FORK 4th ANNUAL...
Story & photos by Ron Presley Scott Williams does not agree with the myth that dock shooting is only successful in the summer....
“The month of March is all about weather change. Wind is the primary thing for the weekend fisherman. The primary thing is to get...
by Tim Huffman Bass Pro Shops Crappie Madness took place all over the country with many different pros presenting seminars about catching crappie....
By Tim Huffman Part 4 continues with national circuits. This issue looks effects of local and regional clubs, cheating and fair play,...
Story and photos by Vic Attardo Okay, so Whitey says to me, “When a storm starts rolling in, snakes get off the water and...
By Tim Huffman On January 31, 2017 the fishing industry lost a friend. If you are a fisherman, whether you met him or...
“My tip would be not to go in too shallow too quickly. The crappie will be mainly in pre-spawn with a few going in...
By Tim Huffman Deland Florida is a good vacation area for crappie fishermen and their families. Volusia County is huge and includes Daytona...
with Darrell Baker “When we’re fishing river ledges in the fall and winter, I tell my anglers to set the hook hard,” Baker...
Can you speak Italian? Sure you can. Say Parmigiano-Reggiano. You’ve just named the “King of Cheeses”. Parmesan, as we call it in the USA,...
Club Contact FACEBOOK AMERICAN CRAPPIE TRAIL Matt Morgan www.facebook.com/americancrappietrail/ BAYOU STATE CRAPPIE ASSOCIATION Brandon Jennings www.facebook.com/groups/BayouStateCrappie/ CAPITOL CRAPPIE CLUB Austin Kneeskern www.facebook.com/groups/984256651629379/ CAROLINA CRAPPIE...
MAGNOLIA CRAPPIE JANUARY 14th OKATIBEE LAKE 1. Tommy Moss/Brad Calhoun 8.39 2. Robbie Niven/David McWilliams 8.33 3. Jason Cook/Juan Adame 7.86 4. Joe Lowrey/Joey...
MARCH 3rd – 4th CRAPPIE USA NEELY-HENRY SUPER EVENT MARCH 3rd – 4th CRAPPIE MASTERS LAKE GREENWOOD SC STATE CHAMPOINSHIP MARCH 4th CENTRAL ALABAMA...
Story & photos by Darl Black Ask a few anglers around the country to name their “favorite” crappie-catching color in a jig and you’ll...
Josh Gowan, former crappie guide and owner of King Crappie and Prefish Gear, has plenty of fishing and tournament experience. He says, “I’m going...
Story & photos by Tim Huffman Part 3 continues with discussions of formats and a look at wrapped boats. Our series experts...
Story & photos by Vic Attardo Because it was minus two when I awoke one February morning, I decided not to go ice fishing...
Not everyone will use an example of elephants in the same paragraph as crappie, but TTI-Blakemore’s Marketing guru TJ Stallings, always has a way...
by Brent Frazee When Joe Bragg calls crappie fishing a lifesaver, he isn’t exaggerating. After returning from two tours of duty in Iraq with...
Boils and bakes are traditionally associated with coastal regions of the United States. Scandinavian immigrants get credit for bringing the fish boil to the...
FEBRUARY 3rd – 4th CRAPPIE MASTERS LAKE TALQUIN CLUB FEBRUARY 4th BAYOU STATE CANEY LAKE MAJOR EVENT FEBRUARY 4th CAROLINA-CCA NORMAN LAKE CLUB FEBRUARY...
Single Minnow Rig Versus Double Minnow Rig with Darrell Baker “I prefer to fish a single-minnow rig when I’m slow trolling on river ledges...
CAST for Kids is an organization geared to expose children, who may not otherwise get the opportunity, to the sport of fishing and...
The Weiss Lake Improvement Association will be holding its Annual Crappie Rodeo (Tagged Fish) Tournament Feb 15 – April 30, 2017. Over $100,000 in...
Story & photos by Vic Attardo In recent years the emphasis in ice fishing for crappie has been on small soft-plastic baits. These highly...
River fishing is usually based upon current. When current is slow it opens options by making more spots fishable. Points are places that can...
By Tim Huffman Part 2 discusses the different formats and divisions often seen in national tournaments. Our series experts include Darrell Van Vactor,...
By John Neporadny Jr. The bite was tough for Charles and Travis Bunting on the second morning of the 2009 Crappiemasters Mississippi State Championship...
Bill recognizes that the outdoor recreation industry is a significant economic driver Alexandria, VA – December 9, 2016 – In a significant step forward...
The 2016 Crappie Masters Championship at Grenada, Mississippi, revealed several things. At least two factors were a major influence in crappie mood and movements....
I was looking at a copy-cat recipe for KFC’s famous “secret” 11 herbs and spices and came across one of the ingredients call ‘Tellicherry”...
MAGNOLIA NOVEMBER 12th LAKE WASHINGTON 1. David Thornton/Shelton Culpepper 10.68 2. Vic Finkley/Kim Gray 10.3 3. Jeff Ward/Barry Hudson 10.17 4. Brad Chappell/Steve White...
JANUARY 7th BAYOU STATE CANEY LAKE CLUB JANUARY 7th PEACH STATE LAKE SINCLAIR CLUB JANUARY 7th CAROLINA-CCA WATEREE LAKE CLUB JANUARY 7th – 8th...
