This is the ONE picture of my ONE fish I caught on my very first trip to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. Waypoints:...
Spring, spawning-time crappie anglers often encounter murky water conditions. Many crappie professionals say using a bladed jig will increase your odds in muddy or...
Guide Brad Whitehead nets a crappie for his son, Nathan, on a late summer side-pulling trip on Cedar Creek Lake in northwest Alabama. ...
Senior Writer Tim Huffman shares his take on some products for fishermen and outdoorsmen New Product Buzz by Tim Huffman K9 Fishing High-Vis,...
While rummaging in my attic I found half of the world’s cookbooks, a collection that began in the 1960s. Sorting them was a chore....
Randy Luttrell displays a 3.83-lb slab that he and Garrett Steele caught during the 2020 Crappie Masters tournament on Grenada Lake. Few fish ever...
THE GREAT OUTDOORS By Larry Whiteley THE OUTSIDE IS GOOD FOR YOUR INSIDE There’s something really refreshing about getting outside. Worrying is hard...
Marilyn Black with a nice post-spawn black crappie caught by casting a jig to scattered shoreline cover on Pymatuning Lake. Cast & Retrieve...
Outdoor writer and Magnolia Crappie Club Vice President Bernard Williams believes that high-tech, advanced electronics being used by crappie tournament anglers these days necessitates...
Plano tackle boxes are pretty much the industry standard for fishing tackle storage. (Contributed Photo) Pure Fishing Buys Plano New owner for popular tackleboxes...
Plano tackle boxes are pretty much the industry standard for fishing tackle storage. (Contributed Photo) Pure Fishing Buys Plano New owner for popular tackleboxes...
Kids, like adults, naturally talk more when they are on the water…catching fish is the bonus to a good conversation. Waypoints: How are...
SPRING IS COMING ISN’T IT? Circle Saturday, March 20th on your calendar in red. Put that date in your phone calendar with a special...
David Baynard’s kayak that he likes to use fishing small water is rigged for casting or slow trolling. His setup includes Driftmaster rod holders...
Crappie Enhanced with Lemon Plus an Exotic Twist by Vernon Summerlin A great recipe plus an additional option for some...
Fishing on foot can produce some fine strings of delicious crappie, especially in early Spring. Walkin’ the Shore Over You by Ed Mashburn...
Jon Whitlock (left) and Carroll Waddle (right) show off a good stringer from the Tennessee River caught while fishing with a guide. Waddle believes...
(l-r) Quinn Mackenthun and Haley Walser with a pair of slab crappie destined for fish printing. (Photo: Scott MacKenthun) Gyotaku – Paint and Release...
Some fishermen seem to think that every fish in the lake all rush to spawn at the exact same time. Not so, some spawn...
The patented Crappie Gauge allows an angler to measure your fish while still hooked, without ever touching it. Product Profile: Deerback Crappie Gauge...
Crappie Kids: Fishing Rodeo on Weiss Lake A FREE Crappie Kids Fishing Rodeo will be held in conjunction with the Crappie USA (CUSA)...
Wesley Montgomery of Starkville, Mississippi hoists a dandy stringer of crappie caught wade fishing flooded backwaters in North Mississippi in the springtime. North...
When we meet people where they’re at it allows growth and positive outdoor experiences. Waypoints: Taking Time to Learn Learning to fish and...
A 5-weight rod, weight-forward line, 3X-fluorocarbon tippet, and a box of flies make up my travel pack. (Photo: Jim Mize) Have a Crappie...
Swapping a regular jig head the same size head equipped with a spinning blade can sometimes be just enough to slow your bait down...
THE GREAT OUTDOORS By Larry Whiteley DRESSING FOR FEBRUARY Layer yourself with loose fitting clothing. The layers create air spaces that trap heat and...
In the Spotlight: Terry Stewart by Tim Huffman Terry Stewart reveals fishing and personal information in this month’s Spotlight. “Terry is one of...
Recipes: Wok-Steamed Crappie with “Instant” Preserved Lemons, by Vernon Summerlin A wok is a round-bottomed cooking pot, originating in China. But they work great...
CrappieNOW Editor Richard Simms shares a firsthand lesson on long-line trolling and finding shallow-water crappie in February. CrappieNOW Editor Richard Simms specializes in...
Noisy, rattling baits keep fish in your strike zone longer. Try dropping a jig with bait to seal the deal on fussy crappie, as...
Senior Writer Tim Huffman shares his take on some products for fishermen and outdoorsmen. Product Buzz by Tim Huffman Senior Writer Tim Huffman...
Mike Kuna shows off a nice-sized black crappie taken through the ice. Water temperature is somewhere between 39 and 32 degrees. (Photo: Darl Black)...
Whether you fish on the ice or in southern waters, cold water is deadly. Crappie Basics – Prepare for the Worst in Winter...
Most anglers agree that crappie are primarily sight feeders but there are situations when some added smell will make the difference between a bad...
Simple technique to prevent line twist when you’re respooling One of the most aggravating things a fisherman can experience is twisted monofilament. Sometimes a...
A very basic tip today about a simple piece of equipment. Stripping off old fishing line can be cumbersome, unless you have an inexpensive...
Weiss Lake crappie are eager to take anglers’ offerings, and they bite year-round. (Photo: Ed Masburn) Weiss Lake – A Deep South Crappie...
Recipes: Tips-n-Tricks to Cooking Crappie by Vernon Summerlin Lots of great crappie options It’s a New Year at CrappieNOW and we’ve...
Working as a team will increase your ice fishing odds. Initially everyone should spread out to locate areas holding fish. Then, once found, everyone...
Whether fishing for crappies in Misery Bay, Marina Lake or Head-of-the-Bay, you will also catch bluegills and yellow perch. Destination: Icing PA’s Presque...
Sure, winter fishing can be cold, as far as the weather is concerned. But it can still provide hot crappie fishing. (Photo: Richard Simms)...
THE GREAT OUTDOORS By Larry Whiteley WELCOME TO 2021 Welcome to 2021 and I hope it is a “New Year” in many ways. I...
Advanced Electronics – Sonar, down-imaging, side-imaging, 360 and Livescope have all taken the fishing world by storm. Will high-tech advanced electronics lead to a...
Bob Latendresse shows us what Kentucky Lake offers anglers on a cold winter’s day. (Photo: Vernon Summerlin) Crappies in Overcoats by Vernon Summerlin...
In the winter crappie often find one good spot they like and hold there for days, or even weeks. Find those spots and Tim...
Every day on the water you have the opportunity to make memories. Laughter just helps you make good memories. Waypoints: Laughing heals the...
Industrious fishermen can usually gather up lots of old Christmas trees after the holiday season. They make excellent brush piles that are likely to...
DECEMBER DAYS I like to take a few of my December days and get back out in the deer woods while other hunters are...
Consistent catching of crappie like this earned Scott Bunch (left) and Neal Alvis (right) the Crappie USA National Points Championship in 2020. Winning...
Even on a blustery day with a little snow falling, crappie still have to eat. (Photo: Richard Simms) Our friends at B’n’M’ poles...
Weiss Lake guide Carlton Teague says taking crappie on a spinning rod and reel, whether casting or pulling, is a fun way to feel...
Advances in technology continue to aid fishermen in finding structure and fish. Some wonder if we can have too much technology. (Photo: Jim Mize)...
Alabama guide, Eric Cagle, has earned a reputation as a soft-spoken gentle giant, hard-working and a crappie-catching machine. He has stayed on the cutting...
Plastic bodies for crappie jigs are all the rage these days, however, many anglers still believe that hair jigs (or feathers) are the only...
Christmas Feast of Seven Fishes by Vernon Summerlin An old Roman tradition began in Southern Italy to celebrate Christmas. At Eve Tide (Christmas...
As a tournament director, the most important part of my job is understanding and instilling integrity. Waypoints: A Time for Everything Learning to...
Spicy First Course: Crappie Soup Thinking of a way to kick off your Thanksgiving feast? Think spicy crappie soup. This hardy dish will take...
Sometimes it can be difficult finding crappie in the fall turnover period but when you find them, you can often find lots of them....
Early morning fishing in the Fall may include some fog, but searching open water for schools of shad, then working the area, can lead...
Many of Darl Black’s friends agree: the late fall crappie bite in western Pennsylvania is the most consistent day-to-day fishing of the entire season....
Crappie fishing typically involves catching numerous undersized fish to bring home enough for the frying pan. Inevitably some of those fish will be hooked...
Double jig rigs will work well for jigging over structure. (Photo: Ed Mashburn) Winter Open Water Crappie by Ed Mashburn Don’t Sweat the...
Video Tip: Loop Knots Loop knots can increase the action on your lures Loop knots are extremely important to anglers who use artificial...
Travis Bunting (center) and his brother Charlie are regulars on the crappie circuit. While Travis enjoys using jerkbaits for crappie occasionally, Charlie isn’t so...
During the winter drawdown on I-55 lakes in Mississippi, Clay Blair says, “Fish ledges and points for crappie.” (Photo: Ron Wong) Winter Slabs...
Good crappie are part of the fun of November-December fishing. Lee Pitts shows off two good Alabama crappie! Weiss Lake Fall Crappie Action...
Lynn and Nathan Cochran take Amateur Division. Crappie anglers from fifteen states traveled to Green River Lake at Columbia, KY to participate in the...
Outland and McGregor take Amateur Division Crappie anglers from five states traveled to Barkley and Kentucky Lakes at Kuttawa, KY to participate in the...
Never be too proud to catch what Mother Nature gives you. Waypoints: A Time for Everything Learning to fish and live life by...
MAKE SURE YOU VOTE It has always been surprising to me that many people choose not to vote. Voting is an important part of...
Brad Wiegmann shows off a plump white crappie caught while pushing crankbaits. Pushing for Crappies Find crappie-catching milk runs by Scott Mackenthun...
Professional crappie anglers Charles and Travis Bunting say one key in the Fall is to keep moving until you find a concentration of fish....
Robert Carlile was born in 1969, is married with one daughter and owns a machine shop in Oklahoma. He calls Hudson and Ft. Gibson...
Chasten Whitfield is a young lady going above and beyond to help other youngsters and fishing is her greatest tool. Chasten Whitfield works...
Good sonar units can make the difference between fish in the boat and just a boat ride. (Photo: John Phillips) Sonar for Slabs-...
For crappie, structure located on or near a ledge, or dropoff, is just like the perfect pit stop for us when we’re traveling on...
Crappie Patties & Frying Oils Great recipe and bonus info about frying oils 3 cups cooked crappie fillets, chopped 1/2 cup onion, finely...
With a LiveScope peering beneath a boat dock, you can almost count the number of crappie gathered around the dock pilings. Of course, that...
As shown by Emilee Sperry, a visit to New York’s “Grape Belt” cam also yield additional rewards to crappie anglers. (Photo: Mike Sperry) ...
Bull Shoals Lake is just a short drive away from Branson, MO. Escape to the Ozarks by Larry Whiteley Outdoor activities are good...
Video Tip: Keeping Double Minnow Rigs Untangled Great tip from B’n’M Pro Staffer Ronnie Capps B’n’M Pro Staffer Ronnie Capps, 8-time National Champion,...
This screen grab from a Navionics App illustrates an excellent “intersection” where a creek channel intersects with a main channel. Crappie Basics –...
The Learn 2 Fish organization has created a new brochure helping to explain who Learn 2 Fish With Us is, what they...
Jason Westerberg with a nice crappie using a down-sized bait. All of these examples shown are good Fall lures. (Photo: Ron Wong) Downsize...
A jig and minnow is a good combination for most techniques. If fish want a smaller offering, use a smaller jighead and minnow, without...
It wasn’t that long ago that fishermen mostly had “old school” hand-steered trolling motors. But nowadays high-tech foot-controlled or remote-controlled trolling motors are the...
Biologists from the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency and Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife use electrofishing boats to catch Silver Carp in the Lake...
Video Tip: Balanced Poles Brian Carter shows you how to check the ‘balance” of your fishing rod B’n’M Pro Staffer Brian Carter shows...
It’s important to know when it’s time to kick back and have fun. Waypoints: A Time for Everything by Geremy Olson Learning to...
Recipes: Mexican Crappie by Vernon Summerlin Recipe from south of the border, plus tips on choosing a filet knife Mexican Crappie & Fillet...
Three-Bowl Breaded Crappie Pan versus Skillet? by Vernon Summerlin 1 1/2 to 2 pounds crappie fillets Salt and pepper fillets 1 /2 cup...
Kent Driscoll is a major player in the sport of crappie fishing. by Tim Huffman If you follow the crappie fishing “network,” it is...
On a day when the shade of the pontoon is welcoming, crappie guide Steve English believes crappie take refuge in the brush. (Photo: Jim...
There are a variety of small, high resolution cameras on the market these days. Here is a first-hand review of some of the pros...
No matter what kind of fish you are catching, never reel in too much line when landing the fish. In general, you want to...
This image from a depth finder shows a massive cloud of baitfish between 5 and 10 feet deep gathered beneath the lights under the...
Jeff Barnes plots his course with his Lowrance electronics while practicing his point-to-point technique of pulling crankbaits. (Photo: Greg McCain) Map Your Way...
SPECIAL MOMENTS ON AN AUGUST NIGHT August weather has a way of making us all become slug-like, tired, sweaty and irritable. During the day...
The Great Outdoors by Larry Whiteley A KIDS CRAPPIE ADVENTURE Every summer when my boys were young, I would take them on at...
This Ranger 223FC is a great option for a family-fun party barge that also provides a great fishing platform. Crappie Tips: Crappie from...
It’s fun to catch a fish on a rod you built, no matter what size! Build Your Own Custom Crappie Rod It’s easier...
Video Tip: Matt Xenos on Crappie Nibbles – Do They Work? If you’re a crappie fishermen you’ve seen all the advertisements for crappie...
Crappie Tips: What is a Thermocline In the summer many lakes literally separate into temperature layers called a thermocline. How can you see and...
Crappie Chowder Crappie with an Italian twist by Vernon Summerlin 4 cups crappie fillet chunks 4 cups shredded potatoes 1/2 cup...
Video Tip: Matt Xenos on Trolling Cranks for Crappie Video Tip: Matt Xenos on Trolling Cranks for Crappie Lots of folks plan to...
Jeanne Huffman shows off a beautiful brace of crappie, including a black and crappie taken while pulling crankbaits in Arkansas. (Photo: Tim Huffman) ...
Will larger size limits and smaller creel limits result in bigger crappie, or more crappie? Most fisheries biologists say, “Not necessarily.” We share your...
Dickey Porter demonstrates proper “dock shooting form.” It takes practice to perfect the art of skipping tiny crappie jigs up underneath shaded docks, but...
Shooting docks is a prime summertime technique for crappie anglers. Read much more in this month’s article by Ed Mashburn (SHOOTING DOCKS STORY). But...
Crappie Kids – How Old is That Crappie, by Scott Mackenthun by Scott Mackenthun CrappieNOW contributor Scott MacKenthun is also a professional fisheries...
Jack Smith sets lines at the start of an evening of fishing. (Photo: Ken Perrotte) Hot Slabs in the Summertime Lighting Up the...
Professional crappie anglers Steve Coleman and Ronnie Capps with proof-positive that Northern Mississippi reservoirs, such as Grenada, are the most productive crappie lakes in...
Dan Dannenmueller, also known as “Crappie Dan,” is the Publisher of CrappieNOW as well as an accomplished professional crappie angler. In the Spotlight…Dan...
Pink Bandit crankbaits are one of several proven crappie-catchers. Crappie Tips: Best Color Crankbaits Trolling crankbaits is an excellent summer technique but color...
Shooting boat docks is an outstanding summer technique, but when fishing clear water it is wise to stay farther away from the dock than...
Dan and I received this “Voyageur’s Award” from the man we paddled out of the wilderness that night. Photo by: Geremy Olson Waypoints:...
Crappie with an Italian twist by Vernon Summerlin “There has never been a better assortment of cheeses than there are today,” says Larry Olmsted...
LILLY’S FATHERS DAY GIFT by Larry Whiteley Lilly Nelson had a great idea for a Father’s Day gift. She told her mom Amanda she...
Lake Chickahominy’s crappie tend to average between 9 and 11 inches, with larger fish often found. It is more of a “fun fishery” than...
Les Milligan catches slabs like this one during the spring and summer months at Lake O’ the Pines. He said the biggest crappie he’s...
Crappie Kids – Crappie Prepared to Chow Down by Scott Mackenthun Quinn and Cora MacKenthun join their Dad, Scott, to explain how crappie...
Whether you are fishing a tournament or fishing for the freezer, a clean livewell goes a long way to keeping your fish healthy and...
CrappieNOW How to Filet Crappie by Richard Simms There are plenty of different ways to prepare your crappie catch for the table. Of course,...
Many times, when trolling crankbaits anglers may not catch as many crappie, but the ones they do catch are likely to be quality fish....
A TIME FOR FISHERMEN May is a time for fishermen to over indulge themselves. It’s a time to sample all the great fishing that...
Rick Dykstra with a stringer of specks from Kansas’ Millford Reservoir caught while pitching docks. (Photo: Mike Gnatkowski) Nebraska Crappie Fest Check out these Midwest...
Kung Pao Crappie Tried and true delicious dish by Vernon Summerlin China has been known for a number of...
CrappieNOW Editor Richard Simms has always pursued wild game and fish mostly for the thrill of the hunt. But the Corona Virus Crisis made...
Drop it like it’s hot by Vernon Summerlin Are you familiar with capsaicin? It’s the hot stuff in peppers, not the seeds but capsaicin...
FISHING FOR TURKEYS If you’re a turkey hunter, while you are out fishing this spring, you can also scout for turkeys. Have a topographical,...
Roger Gant – Take a look at his side-pulling technique, highlights and a few personal tidbits by Tim Huffman Roger Gant’s resume includes guide,...
by Richard Simms For crappie anglers, setting up your rod holders are limited only by your own imagination. Every boat and every style of...
Even in Michigan, crappie put on their tuxedos for the spring spawn. Joe Balog caught this dark male crappie fishing with a tiny jig...
Pymatuning black crappies caught during the spawn period from the edge of a milfoil bed. An interesting fish-hold structure at Shenango is the...
On March 7th, fishing on Lake Grenada in Mississippi, Terry Stewart and his daughter weighed in seven crappie that weighed an incredible 21.17 pounds....
Do bladed jig heads get more bites? by Tim Huffman Plain jig heads or bladed jig heads – what’s your preference? Mr. Crappie, Wally...
You worked hard to catch those crappie. A little work is also required to insure the best eating by Tim Huffman First, it is...
It’s time to long-line by Richard Simms Most anglers who have crappie fished for a while know that the pre-spawn period is a great...
Joe Bragg got a sneak peak of what spring will bring by catching limits of crappies on Kansas reservoirs such as Melvern. Photo: Brent...
Crappie Dan offers some tips on the most efficient way to pre-tie crappie fishing rigs. Getting rigs tied in advance saves time on the...
Have you ever heard of TackleWebs? If not, Crappie Dan says you need to check them out. He explains why here, along with lots...
Joseph Dennis and Matt Outlaw with some slab crappie caught in Lake Moultrie, spider-rigging 20 feet deep (Photo: Ron Wong) Destination: Santee-Cooper Lakes...
Every part of the country seems to have a favorite “go to” color. However nearly every crappie angler in the world will agree that...
Clint and Dwayne Bailey show off a pair of slabs taken trolling jigs in March. (Photo: Richard Simms) The Search for Big Slabs...
Longline trolling is a proven March technique for putting big numbers of pre-spawn crappie in the livewell. (Photo: Richard Simms) In most Southern...
Walking into a bait shop with mom and dad, young anglers see a lot of different live baits for sale. In some parts of...
The new Garmin Panoptix Live Scope has provided an anglers dramatic new information on exactly how close you can approach crappie without spooking them....
Properly rigged floats can help you catch more crappie. Bobber Rigging for Spring Crappie Float your way to more crappies. by Darl Black...
Georgia boys take the top three spots. Mild weather mixed with wind greeted crappie anglers at the recent Crappie Masters two day event in...
Crappie Dan shares a new revelation in the Valor Downtube, allowing Garmin LiveScope users to control their transducer independent of the trolling motor
THE GREAT OUTDOORS By Larry Whiteley FALL’S FORAGING CRAPPIE In the fall, crappie head to the shallows and they are hungry. They migrate to...
Missouri is well-known for a lot of things but crappie fishing probably isn’t at the top of the list. Take a trip with Tandem...
Reagan Smith enjoys guiding for three kinds of crappie in central Illinois. Destination: Springfield, Illinois by John E. Phillips Twenty-seven-year-old Reagan...
In the Spotlight: Barry Morrow by Tim Huffman Barry Morrow is a respected guide and fisherman. During the past few years, he and partner...
Cold Weather Crappie by Ed Mashburn A fishing guide who makes his living putting anglers on crappie can’t pick the kind of weather. His...
Taking time to organize and re-order needed tackle right now means you will be fully prepared to start fishing as soon as the ice...
Grand Rapids is in the heart of Minnesota. Folks willing to fish the hard water can fill a freezer right outside the city limits....
Years ago most crappie fishermen ONLY fished in the Spring. But nowadays more and more anglers are learning that there are crappie to be...
Sometimes the decision to use planer boards trolling for crappie is simply “personal preference.” But in other situations, planer boards can be essential. (Photo:...
Crappie Shrimp Sauce & Butter Sauce by Vernon Summerlin Cayenne pepper is one of my favorite tongue teasers and an ingredient in many hearty...
Cold-Weather Crappie in the Twin Cities by John E. Phillips Crappie pro Davis Lenzen, from Hudson, Wisconsin, on the border of Minneapolis-St Paul, often...
Double Rigs for Winter Crappie by Tim Huffman Not all double-hook crappie rigs are created equally. For many anglers, double-hook minnow rigs are the...
Wintertime Crappie in North Alabama by John E. Phillips How to Catch a Limit of Alabama Crappie in Cold Weather Lake Guntersville Carter mainly...
Crappie Days Coming in Arkansas and Missouri by Ron Wong Missouri is known as “The Show Me State.” Along with Arkansas, what it can...
Straight-Line Reels for Winter Crappie by Mike Gnatkowski They might look like a fly fishing reel but many ice fishermen say straight-line reels catch...
Doug Chyz, from Stafford County, Virginia, heads across the ice covering Vermont’s Lake Champlain in preparation for a night of fun, catching crappie through...
by Kenneth L. Kieser Sometimes experience on the water and a little common sense will work better than high-tech electronics A recent report claimed...
by John Phillips A Southern boy’s perspective on fishing Minnesota’s ‘hard water’ Because not much ice fishing exists in my hometown of Birmingham, Alabama...
Sometimes the sweetest spot to crappie fish on your local lake might be right over your head. In fishing there is no such thing...
by Richard Simms Matthew Rogers shared a unique secret that he said helped him win a $25,000 boat in the ACT Lake Grenada tournament....
by Ron Presley Koesters and Hengstler Claim Pro Division Victory at CUSA Classic while Shawn Salyers and Josh Lovett take the amateur side. Forget...
With 50,000 registered users, Crappie.com is a “go to” location for crappie fishermen all across the country. Established in 1996, one of the earliest...
“My granddaddy would flat roll over in his grave.” ~ B’n’M Professional Crappie Angler Ronnie Capps It is the latest rage in crappie fishing....
Whether you like to fish for crappie, trout or bluegill – or all of the above, B’n’M is building a new rod designed specifically...
by Tim Huffman It took crappie that AVERAGED 2.2 pounds to win the Bass Pro Shops Crappie Masters’ 2019 National Championship Weigh-ins are more...
Northwest Mississippi is the gateway to the blues, but it’s also the gateway to the best crappie fishing in the nation. Ask 100 crappie...
Gil Lackey never sees things the same way as most anglers. (Editor’s Note: Whenever we are fishing, we all wonder what the fish are...
by Ed Mashburn Properly equipped kayaks can be very effective crappie fishing boats. It turns out that converting a stock fishing kayak into...
This new jig head specially-designed to hold attractant niblets is taking the crappie fishing world by storm. There is a new jig head making...
CUSA Pro Division Victory at Weiss Lake, AL goes to Team Mann Pruitt and Pentecost take Amateur Division. Crappie anglers from several states traveled...
by Tim Huffman This retired police officer now goes out of his way to promote crappie fishing Russ Bailey has hosted crappie fishing...
by Ed Mashburn Small waters offer some of the best crappie fishing to be found anywhere. Although most crappie anglers love to visit on...
by Gary Lewis Wind-drifting for papermouths with fur and feather “Lay the fly on the water. Strip line out. That’s right. Now shake the...
by Scott Mackenthun This Minnesota crappie gem offers public water, or ice, year-round. The numbers are in your favor when chasing crappies in Otter...
PRADCO increases its already impressive portfolio of products PRADCO Outdoor Brands, a well-known provider of top-name fishing and hunting products, announced recently that it...
by Tim Huffman When the water begins to cool it’s time to be versatile Fall fishing is a time to be open-minded and versatile....
by Darl Black Consider the size of your jig for tough summer bites. Many northern anglers base the size of jig they use loosely...
by Ron Wong Check out a preview of the top products that will hit store shelves by Christmas How about walking into a 650,000...
One of the most popular crappie fishing destinations in the country also offers a variety of family fun The float/jig combination gently settled beside...
by Vic Attardo Crappie can tolerate a little salt, not just when you’re cooking them, but in the water they call home. At first...
by Brent Frazee Lights create a food chain that attract crappies In the summer when the days grow 15 hours long and at high...
by Tim Huffman, Senior Writer Sometimes a slow presentation isn’t what it takes to trigger big summer crappie to bite. It’s hot. Air and...
by John Felsher Diverse River System Offers Many Places to Catch Crappie With hundreds of miles of rivers and thousands of acres of...
by Richard Simms Chickamauga Lake crappie fishing may be one of Tennessee’s best kept secrets “Pardon me boy, is that the Chattanooga Choo Choo….”...
by Richard Simms The Ronnie Capps/Steve Coleman team continues to dominate on the ACT Trail. PARIS, Tenn. – The powerhouse team of Ronnie Capps...
by Tim Huffman Finding the right spots for summer crappie can be a challenge, but when found, they can create fun, exciting memories. A...
by Ron Wong This central east Alabama lake is a virtual crappie factory. Nestled in Elmore County, Alabama is bountiful Lake Jordan. The lake...
by Ron Presley High school fishing clubs give youth anglers a chance to compete and enjoy fishing. For most anglers, the passion to fish...
by Greg McCain Today’s crappie anglers have an overabundance of colors to choose from. For the modern crappie fisherman, color options run the full...
by Ron Wong High winds greeted anglers at this April event, but that didn’t stop the winners from finding big fish Changing weather was...
by Ron Stallings Fishing from the bank is very productive for most species of fish. If you want to target crappie from the bank,...
A slip bobber has a conical bulb and a tube at the top and bottom of the bulb in which the line is threaded...
by Brian Cope Get right in the middle of the weeds, dig a hole, drop a jig, and see what comes out. Spider-rigging and...
by Brad Wiegmann There has never been a better time to upgrade your marine electronics. Manufacturers have new marine electronics available with everything from...
By Kenneth L. Kieser The old Model-A Ford roadster raised dust in my mom and dad’s gravel driveway. My great grandfather, Milo Rose, only...
by Ron Wong In many parts of the south, we have incurred quite a bit of rain over the winter months. The rains have...
Story & photos by Kenneth L. Kieser Most crappie are caught in the spring when mature fish move into the shallows to spawn. The...
Participants will compete in amateur and pro divisions at the February 16, 2018 crappie tournament at Riverside, AL Crappie anglers from several states will travel...
One-pole in hand and shallow water were the keys to success. Cold weather and wind challenged crappie anglers to begin the Bass Pro Shops...
Tenn-Tom Does More Than Float Barges Story & photos by John N. Felsher Built to shave off about 800 miles of boat travel from...
Story & photos by Darl Black It’s beginning to look a lot like…an abbreviated ice fishing season in NW Pennsylvania. With a shot of...
Story & photos by John Neporadny When I got into Tim Blackley’s boat for a fishing trip on Kentucky Lake, I noticed he doesn’t...
“The little package of crappie baits we pull off the peg at the bait shop is a more complicated process than most fishermen realize....
by Vic Attardo I don’t know how those workers who jackhammer cement, macadam or rock, manage to keep it up. Driving by a...
Story and photos by Troy Basso When we hear about destination crappie lakes, it tends to be the fertile Mississippi lakes or some Texas...
Story & photos by John N. Felsher From where the Tallapoosa and Coosa rivers merge to form the Alabama River near Wetumpka, Alabama, the...
By Brent Frazee I have a different view of Christmas trees than most people. Sure, I love to see my family gathered around the...
By Tim Huffman Placing cover for crappie is nothing new. Stake bed, crappie condo, crappie bed, brushpile, structure and cover are a few of...
Lutchka and Hess Claim CUSA Pro Division Victory at Kentucky and Barkley Lakes. Martin and Rigdon take Amateur Division Crappie anglers from several states...
by Greg McCain Crappie fishermen generally have pre-conceived notions about where fish live. One generally accepted thought is crappie spend most of the year...
By Ron Presley Mother Nature delivered tough fishing conditions to crappie anglers competing in the 2018 Cabela’s Crappie USA Tournament Trail (CUSA) on Lake...
by Tim Huffman Twenty one years of age doesn’t add up decades of fishing experience. However, many hours on the water this year, working...
“In Arkansas, the shad move up into shallow water in November and December. The shad go into what I’m told is a second...
By Vic Attardo Everyone knows that time and tides wait for no man. Well, apparently crappie, the wonderful fish we love to catch and...
Story & photos by Darl Black The year was 1959 when Berkley’s Trilene and DuPont’s Stren were launched. Although there had been extruded nylon...
Crappie anglers from several states traveled to Carlyle Lake, IL to participate in a Crappie USA (CUSA) tournament. Local and traveling anglers fished for...
by Tim Huffman Stories and blame varies with most fingers pointing to a few government agencies and fish farmers. Different species of Asian carp...
By Ron Wong ICAST 2018 in Orlando, Florida was a sight to behold. 350,000 square feet of fishing and marine tackle displayed for...
By Tim Huffman The year was 1981. My partners and I put a couple of lanterns out on pieces of conduit wedged in the...
by Vic Attardo Maybe you’ve never heard of George Toalson. That’s all right; he is is not exactly a household name. But I can...
Story & photos by Greg McCain Crappie fishermen are a resourceful collection of individuals. They take time-honored traditions and make them better. They develop...
Story & photos by Tim Huffman Stumps are friends of a crappie fisherman. However, learning which stumps are being used by the fish can...
Story & photos by Ron Wong Summertime and the livin’ is easy, fish are jumpin’ and the cotton is high, means it is hot...
by Tim Huffman June 15-16. Truman Lake, MO. “This tournament,” says Crappie Masters President, Mike Vallentine, “is special in many ways. First, it’s a...
Story & photos by Brent Frazee Most fishermen would rather sit in front of an air conditioner than in a fishing boat on days...
Father & Son Team Wins Story & photos by Ron Wong Despite rising water levels, the father/son team of Terry and Cole Stewart wins...
Gupton and Rhodes claim first place in the Amateur Division. Crappie anglers from several states traveled to Green River Lake, Columbia, KY to participate...
by Tim Huffman Perfect is not a good word to use when discussing fishing, but mid-depth stumps, brush and beds are as close to...
Story & photos by Darl Black Ken Smith of Sharon, Pennsylvania is as hardcore a crappie angler as they come! Having started fishing for...
By Ron Wong With the majority of the spawning done, and water is warming up for this year, the crappie are on the move...
Crappie anglers from several states traveled to Cave Run Lake at Morehead, KY to participate in a Crappie USA (CUSA) tournament. Local and traveling...
By John Neporadny Jr. Barry Morrow was fishing a tournament at Stockton Lake in Missouri, when he discovered a bass fishing finesse technique...
by Vic Attardo As I kid, I never hung out on street corners. Of course, where I came from in farm country, street corners...
The largest crappie of the year was caught in the March 31st Pickwick/Wilson event Crappie anglers from several states traveled to Lakes Pickwick and...
By Tim Huffman Crappie are no strangers to rivers and creek systems. Good numbers and sizes are both possible when conditions are right…and many...
Story & photos by Greg McCain Crappie hate current. Even knowledgeable anglers agree on this fact. Given a choice, crappie prefer water with little...
Story & photos by Brent Frazee When Bill Hartman started fly fishing for crappie in the Kansas Flint Hills, he had a gallery. Landowners...
The Crappie USA Super Event on Old Hickory was characterized by strong winds, cloudy skies, and scattered showers throughout the day on Friday. Saturday...
The Crappie USA Super Event on Lake of Egypt was characterized by strong winds and cloudy skies on Friday. The weather changed to rain...
Crappie anglers from several states rolled into Lake Guntersville to compete in the Crappie USA (CUSA) event this past Saturday, March 10, 2018. They...
Victory as Sweet as a Georgia Peach on Alabama’s Weiss Lake for Randall and Hendrix by Dillion Stocking A recurring nemesis made another unwanted...
Lake Wylie played host to the Crappie USA event this past Saturday, March 3, 2018. More than 60 anglers from several states were competing...
Story & photos by Tim Huffman A trip last year to Lake D’Arbonne, Louisiana, allowed me experience both seasonal structure fishing and strategies for...
Story & photos by Darl Black Across the Northeast and Lower Great Lakes states, March usually comes in like an old winter lion...
by Ron Wong The water is warming and lake levels are rising due to spring rains. This means the crappie are moving into the...
Weiss Lake played host to the Crappie USA event this past Saturday, February 24, 2018. More than 100 anglers from several states were competing...
Logan Martin Lake played host to the first Crappie USA event of 2018 this past Saturday, February, 17. More than 65 anglers from several...
By Tim Huffman “Shooting gives you so much more accuracy and lets you get into spots you can’t get by casting or flipping.” Travis...
by Ron Presley The first visit to a new body of water produces feelings of anxiety and hope. The anxiety comes because of the...
Cold weather and wind challenged crappie anglers at the Bass Pro Shops Crappie Master’s event in West Volusia, Florida. Layered clothing was the name...
Crappie USA, “America’s Premier National Crappie Fishing Tournament Organization” will hit the water’s of Lake Guntersville on March 10, 2018. This is the opportunity...
By Tim Huffman Winter fishing water that’s not frozen can be a challenge with big rewards. Keying in on the right spots...
By Darl Black Dave Lefebre of Erie, PA may be best known for his fishing successes on national bass circuits, but during the...
By Tim Huffman Crappie fishermen can improve their catching by building and sinking beds, maintaining good boat control and quickly forming patterns. However,...
Story & photos by John E. Phillips Cold weather can be a nightmare for crappiers to fish. However, if you’re like me, you...
Crappie USA, will return to Alabama’s Lake Logan Martin, on the Coosa River approximately 30 miles east of Birmingham, Alabama. The 17,000-acre, reservoir, built...
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...
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...
More than 180 teams from 21 states competed for more than $126,000 in the 2017 Crappie USA Classic in Paris, TN. The Kentucky and...
Crappie anglers reported catching numerous fish on the days before Cabela’s Crappie USA (CUSA) Classic. Angler after angler reported finding plenty of fish, while...
Legal waters include both Kentucky and Barkley Lakes for the 2017 Cabela’s Crappie USA Classic out of Paris, TN. The area was characterized by...
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...
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...
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...
85 boats compete for victory on Truman Crappie anglers experience a near perfect but hot day as they competed in the final regular season...
Story & photos by John E. Phillips To catch the most and biggest crappie in any lake or river that you fish, during any...
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...
By Darl Black In my home state of Pennsylvania, so many anglers flock to area lakes seeking crappies in the spring that on pleasant...
Story & photos by John N. Felsher For decades, walleye and striped bass enthusiasts successfully employed planer boards to fish multiple baits at varied...
Lake Shelbyville played host to the Crappie USA Event this past Saturday, June 24, 2017. Temperatures in the mid 70’s and 10 – 20mph...
Winners beat the heat and a stellar line up of crappie anglers Ninety-two teams participated in the Crappie Masters artificial bait only, one pole...
By Tim Huffman Crappie fishing continues to evolve as more techniques are established for special situations. Steve Brown, a tournament fisherman from Alabama and...
Story & photos by Tim Huffman Our series experts include Darrell Van Vactor, General Manager of Crappie USA; Mike Vallentine, President and Owner...
Story & photos by John Phillips Editor’s Note: Jonathan Phillips of Wetumpka, Alabama, is the president of the Central Alabama Crappie Club and guides...
Story & photos by Vic Attardo Matt Outlaw uses a garden rake when crappie fishing. Actually what he’s wielding is a cross between a...
The 333 Restaurant in Grenada, Mississippi will certainly go down in history as a great place to eat. It will also be recognized as...
Saturday morning crappie anglers endured strong morning thunderstorms as they fished the May 20, 2017 Crappie USA event on Patoka Lake. Storms hit the...
Pre-fishing proved to be a challenge for teams fishing the Crappie Masters Ozark Rods Open on Rend Lake, sponsored by The Renewable Fuels Association...
Adjustments, weather, patience, consistency, and a bit of redemption were all in play at the Crappie Masters Alabama State Championship, sponsored by The Renewable...
Cold temperatures with high wind speeds at 15 – 25 mph and water 15 feet over pool with muddy and heavy currents challenged crappie...
Story & photos by Darl Black With the arrival of May up north, it begins to actually feel like spring. Temperatures are finally...
Story & photos by Tim Huffman This issue discusses the “professional” title, winning a classic and winning Angler Team of the Year....
Story & photos by Greg McCain Simpler can be better even in the world of crappie fishing. Advanced tactics, advanced electronics, and advanced...
GRANT AND MATHENY GO WIRE TO WIRE FOR AN EMOTIONAL VICTORY AT THE AMERICAN ETHANOL KENTUCKY/TENNESSEE STATE CHAMPIONSHIP Facing rising and falling water conditions...
Grand Lake St. Marys played host to the Crappie USA Super Event this past Friday and Saturday, April 28 and 29, 2017. Over 130...
More than 140 crappie anglers, from eight states were greeted with ideal fishing weather as Green River Lake played host to the Crappie USA...
Ninety-eight teams took to the waters of the Lake of the Ozarks for Crappie Masters One Day National Qualifier and first leg of the...
Pretty Easter weekend weather and numerous recreational boaters greeted crappie anglers on Old Hickory Lake at Gallitin, TN. The occasion was the Crappie USA...
Crappie Masters, sponsored by The Renewable Fuels Association “Ethanol Fueled With Pride”, American Ethanol, and Bass Pro Shops, Ozark Rods held their One Pole...
Lake Cumberland played host to the Crappie USA Super Event this past Friday and Saturday, April 7 and 8, 2017. Over 110 anglers from...
By Tim Huffman Recreational and tournament fishermen both benefit from having healthy crappie in the livewell. The following are a few observations, tips...
Story & photos by Tim Huffman Part 5 continues with national circuits. This issue looks at taking care of crappie, the importance...
Rivers in Spring Present Challenges, but Also Rewards Story & photos by John N. Felsher Nothing gets dedicated crappie anglers more excited than seeing...
Story & photos by Greg McCain Crappie migrating to the shallows is one of the rituals of spring. Like children gleaning every last...
It is not even surprising anymore. Unfavorable weather challenged crappie anglers in Crappie USA’s tournament on Kentucky and Barkley Lakes at Paris, Tennessee. Friday’s...
Beautiful Weiss Lake in Cherokee County, AL hosted more than 90 anglers for the Crappie USA event on March 18, 2017. Surrounded by beautiful...
Catchin’ not fishin’ by Ron Presley Do you know what a veteran is? That was the question that Dereck Fulton, event organizer, asked the...
After beautiful weather, just one day earlier, a crappie tournament came to town and changed all that. The Peach State Crappie Club (PSCC) held...
Crappie anglers competed for $12,900.00 in cash and prizes in the 2-Day Crappie USA Super Event this past Friday and Saturday on Lake of...
In the zone You may have heard the phrase “being in the zone”, it looks like the Tennessee husband and wife team of Paul...
Neely Henry Lake played host to the Crappie USA Super Event this past Friday and Saturday, March 3 – 4, 2017. Over 60 anglers...
Story & photos by Ron Presley Scott Williams does not agree with the myth that dock shooting is only successful in the summer....
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 Deland Florida is a good vacation area for crappie fishermen and their families. Volusia County is huge and includes Daytona...
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...
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...
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...
“Coming to the St. Johns River is my favorite place to visit and fish in the world,” said Crappie Masters president, Mike Vallentine. “You...
Deland residents Stephen and Jennifer Edwards live about 5 minutes from the St. Johns River. “We fish here every weekend for dinner,” said Jenifer....
DeLand, FL – Anglers for the Bass Pro Shops® Crappie Masters fishing tournament have a new big prize for the overall winning team: $100,000. The...
Story & photos by Vic Attardo In recent years the emphasis in ice fishing for crappie has been on small soft-plastic baits. These highly...
By Tim Huffman Part 2 discusses the different formats and divisions often seen in national tournaments. Our series experts include Darrell Van Vactor,...
by Tim Huffman You may have no interest in crappie tournaments, or maybe dislike tournaments, but without a doubt they have an impact...
By Ron Presley Crappie tournaments always offer a challenge of one kind or another. This year’s Crappie USA (CUSA) Classic on Kentucky and Barkley...
By Vernon Summerlin Two of the four lakes along the Cumberland River chain in Tennessee are known for crappie – Old Hickory Lake...
By Ron Presley Shane Wilson signs his correspondence with the phrase, “Fishing’s Future……more than a sport.” Give that statement just a little thought and...
The Amateur Division of Cabela’s Crappie USA Classic went to Ronald Keel and Ronald Taylor with and even 17.00 pounds of TN crappie. Congrats...
BnM Poles prostaff anglers Kyle Schoenherr and Rodney Neuhaus won Cabelas’s Crappie USA National Championship for the second year in a row! The Illinois...
Prefishing reports of lots of fish held true on day one of the Cabela’s Crappie USA (CUSA) National Championship. Angler after angler reported finding...
Cabela’s Crappie USA (CUSA) has long supported two divisions of crappie anglers. The Amateur Division and the Semi Pro Division can be up to...
With Cabela’s Crappie USA (CUSA) Classic coming this weekend on Kentucky and Barkley Lakes, I have been looking into some of the popular crappie...
By Vic Attardo Here in the farm country of eastern Pennsylvania we spend at least one day a year slaving over a big...
By Tim Huffman Crappie often move from shallow spawning areas out to flats and along mid-depth channels for their post-spawn pattern. When the...
By Brad Wiegmann You can catch crappie on any boat that floats. However, only a pontoon let’s you enjoy crappie fishing to the maximum...
Ron Presley Thousands of crappie anglers get their start in small boats rigged for crappie fishing. Flat bottom aluminum John Boats have long been...
By Don Gasaway When man first crossed over the Bering Strait and began to settle North America he brought with him the kayak. It...
By Darl Black Depending on where you live in up North, early bird anglers may refer to it as the mud bay bite, the...
By Tim Huffman An interesting post on January 3 by professional bass angler, Randy Blaukat, addressed the question of expense in bass fishing and...
By Vic Attardo Most normal folks will, at some point in the winter, swing their legs up on a couch and watch a football...
by Terry Madewell Waters begin warming quickly in the far southern states triggering the start of “springtime crappie fishing” no matter if the calendar...
Story and photos by Tim Huffman PVC beds are nothing new. Plastic buckets have been used for imitations stumps for decades. Eight to ten...
by Ron Presley It’s just like mowing your lawn. The Lowrance unit on his Ranger Boat helped Tim Blackley find this nice Reelfoot crappie....
By Vic Attardo On the Good Ship Lollipop, anglers fishing Lake Moultrie at “Santee Cooper” show off a terrific catch of winter crappie. There...
By Darl Black Russ Bailey and Dale Black taping a segment of Brushpile Fishing show on Pymatuning Lake on PA/OH border. If you are...
by Josh Lantz It’s no secret. Big water grows big crappies. Large, deep lakes have an abundance of forage and more places for crappies...
By Tim Huffman Finding the right fishing spots is what separates most fishermen. When fish are in a neutral feeding mood, fishermen putting the...
By Ron Presley Rods, reels and other major pieces of equipment are a given, but what about those other necessities of crappie fishing? Where...
By Vic Attardo Put on your mukluks. Hitch your dog team to the sled. Then cover your head with the ugliest fur-lined hat with...
by Brad Wiegmann Anyone but a crappie angler would think being up a creek in a negative way. However, as fall turns to winter...
By Jeff Samsel Who says that going miniscule is the only way to catch crappie through the ice? Downsize. That always seems to be...
By Tim Huffman Docks & Marinas offer fishing opportunities without the use of a boat. It’s true that the past three decades have put...
Ron Presley To live bait anglers there is nothing more important than their bait. In the case of B’n’M pro staffer, Brad Whitehead, it...
By Darl Black It’s mid-November up North. Hardwood trees stand naked, except the hardy oaks which still have dried, brown leaves. Every couple...
by Larry Woody You’d think it would be a no-brainer: what do “fish attractors” attract? Renowned Kentucky Lake guide Stave McCadams with a stake...
by Jeff Samsel Folks love to look longingly back at the good old days, and in some areas of life, yesterday probably was better...
By Tim Huffman: Jim and Jason Westerberg work a ledge near the mouth of a major arm on Kentucky Lake. Here they are netting...
By Jeff Samsel When crappie get up under docks, there’s no more efficient means than shooting to deliver and present baits to those fish....
Mike Baker has a bass fishing tournament history, likes winter catfishing, but crappie is his main target fish in recent years. He fishes an...
By Terry Madewell Taking a crappie fishing trip to a new lake can be the ultimate adventure for a diehard crappie angler. That’s especially...
By Tim Huffman Spending time with your electronics is worth the effort. You’ll catch more fish by finding the sweet spots before dropping a...
Ron Presley Given the various size rods needed for different crappie fishing techniques, rod storage can be more important to crappie anglers than the...
By Vic Attardo Most crappie anglers are not used to the sight of falling and rising waters. Surely if a dam is pumping and...
September and October are great months to use your electronics to the max. Find schools of shad. Crappie are feeding on the shad. As...
Story by Jeff Samsel Photos by Doug Markham The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency has long been proactive with crappie management strategies, including crappie stocking....
HydroWave, Color C-Lector and Aqua-Vu Underwater Cameras Ron Presley A friend of mine recently told me a story about his wise old grandmother. “I...
By Terry Madewell Crappie fishing boats come in all shapes, models and sizes in an attempt to fit the needs for every situation an...
By Darl Black Some anglers may call it a rise or submerged island. Regardless of the local colloquialism, a hump is merely a substantial...
By Tim Huffman Good wood covers, including trees, stumps and snags, are always high-potential spots for catching fish. Stump and snags…the love affair never...
The two basic reasons anglers give for choosing an aluminum boat are durability and cost savings. Those same notions should apply to choosing and...
Most of the time a crappie can be caught with a slow methodic presentation. It makes sense because the most baitfish and insects are...
By Tim Huffman Scents makes sense. You’ve heard, “I catch plenty of crappie and never use a scent on my jig.” I agree there...
by Brad Wiegmann Crazy may not be the right word for how shallow Gary Rowe is fishing for crappie. Insane may be more fitting....
by Jeff Samsel Backs of side canyons and pockets along the edges of bays are often rimmed by flats that offer moderate depths to...
By Tim Huffman Drop-Off: a very steep or perpendicular descent; a marked dwindling or decline.Fishermen have learned that a drop-off is where fish often...
By Ron Presley Trolling requires the right equipment and good concentration. A good set-up includes having baits spaced as far apart as possible, a...
By Tim Huffman A recent trip to Parsons Kansas revealed some laid-back, enjoyable, fun fishing. The town of 11,000 people has a great, revitalized...
by Keith Sutton Weary of traveling Interstate 40? In Arkansas, many exits lead to great crappie fishing lakes where you can take a break...
by Tim Huffman Edges are great for catching crappie. It’s no secret that the fish are edge oriented. An edge can be a dock,...
By Darl Black I’ve been going crappie fishing each spring for 60 years. But I’ve learned more about crappie fishing in the past 15...
Crappie can be all over the place in May. Most of the fish are likely to be in 14 to 16 feet of water...
By Keith Sutton Since I was a young boy, I have loved books. It is quite natural that this is so, for my mother...
Lily pads are a hiding place for many species of fish, including crappie. Try shaking a lily pad and you’ll see why. Many insects...
by Russ Bailey Two of the biggest passions of my life have always been fishing and dog training. My two fishing shows, MidWest Crappie...
By Vic AttardoA wise man once said that there is one thing you can always count on and that is change. No matter what...
By Keith Sutton The best pockets for slab white crappie often are deep within thickets or beds of dense aquatic vegetation. Pulling a small...
By Tim Huffman Dogwoods are blooming. Great fishing reports are coming in from local lakes. But making its way through your region is a...
By Jeff Samsel When Jim Duckworth’s electronics show him that most crappie have moved up onto spawning flats, he begins fishing shallow cover. Despite...
By Darl Black Shenango slabs for Ken Smith who enjoys fishing a shoreline laydown in the spring. It’s March and the spring crappie bite...
By Vic Attardo The St. John’s River in central Florida looked like a flow with four borders. In addition to the spongy banks on...
Two men had a dream. One man had a personal goal of making the best crappie jighead for hollow body crappie tubes. The other...
There are no seasons when a hump is out of style. Crappie love contours and that’s what a hump is…a turtle-shell formation made up...
Story & Photos by Ron Presley Okeechobee crappies are black and photogenic. Small hair jigs are Gibson’s favorite jigging lure. Paoli is a small...
By Jeff Samsel Folks in some places are still fishing through holes in the ice or sitting restless in their dens, awaiting spring thawing....
By Tim Huffman Docks are often associated with hot weather fishing but that’s not the only time they can be good. Check out these...
1 lb. crappie fillets Salt 4 slices bacon 1 lb. red potatoes 1/3 medium onion 2 eggs, used separately Freshly ground black pepper ¾...
Story & Photos by Vic Attardo Ice fishing is most often a white, blue and black world. The intensity of these colors can get...
By Darl Black The first crappie of the day is significant because there are always more in the same spot. Ice fishing has changed...
Florida anglers have two things on their mind in January. It is the month that crappies generally begin their spawning ritual and it is...
Story & photos by Tim Huffman Cold-Weather Stump Fishing is a combination of stump fishing mixed with factors you might face. The key to...
Story and photos by Jeff Samsel Catching fish on lures you create brings unique satisfaction, but the bigger advantages of tying your own jigs...
By Keith Sutton When I think back, I find it difficult to remember any particular Christmas dinner our family had over the years. From...
By Tim Huffman Flooded Brush & Trees. High water often changes the position of fish. We see this most in the spring but any...
By John Neporadny Whether you are waiting in a long line to weigh in your fish during a crappie tournament or you fish from...
By Darl Black When I was a youngster, our family’s Thanksgiving tradition involved two major activities: hunting and eating. Thanksgiving morning I would accompany...
by Tim Huffman Bass Pro Shops Crappie Masters All American Tournament Trail held their National Championship in late September. They had 154 teams fishing...
Story & photos by Tim Huffman Dock fishing in the fall and winter can be excellent. There are several ways to fish docks with...
by Keith Sutton What’s the toughest time of year to catch crappie? Survey your buddies who fish year-round and chances are good you’ll find...
Kyle Seinfeldt, Iowa, says, “Things are starting to happen. Fall feeding pattern are in place in the north. Reaction bite is taking place on...
Story & photos by Jeff Samsel If you have slabs in mind, don’t offer a dainty snack. Serve up a meal that warrants pulling...
Story & photos by Tim Huffman Slow trolling is a great way to put more baits in one spot, but when wind is bouncing...
By Vic Attardo It’s about the weather isn’t it?It’s always about the weather.The weather dictates where crappie are found, how they’re reacting and even...
By Ron Presley Crappies sometimes like to hide under shady overhangs and hard to get to places. Presenting a lure or bait back under...
By Jeff Samsel Crappie seek respite from the heat when summer hits hard. That provides an advantage to crappie anglers because it makes the...
By Darl Black “Where did all the crappies go?” On many northern reservoirs, bridges are a magnet for summer crappies. Be sure to fish...
By Tim Huffman Summer weed patterns vary from lake to lake. Some lakes will have no submerged weeds. These lakes are typically stained or...
By Vic Attardo If crappie could watch cooking shows, I believe their favorite recipes would all feature minnows. In my humble opinion, you can...
By Dan Dannenmueller Sr. What should a crappie fisherman consider when buying crankbaits? With so many brands and types to choose from, it is...
By Tim Huffman Summer is known as a prime time to troll crankbaits for crappie. The trolling method targets suspended, scattered fish. These fish...
By Tim Huffman Foundations have always been good spots to fish. The biggest problem is most of these spots are known by other fishermen...
By Ronnie Capps Every second of time is important when fishing a tournament. It’s not as important for a weekend fisherman but they can...
Q&A: How do you take of care of your minnows? Your favorite size? And how do you hook them? Dan Johnston, Illinois. “We take...
By Tim Huffman My first time to fish in New York was this May at a Cast & Blast event held by the Association...
By Darl Black To tip or not to tip: that is the question!Do you fish your crappie jig with just the artificial body, or...
Story & Photos by Tim Huffman A tricked-out kayak ready for slow trolling can offer an alternative way to fish for crappie. Crappie fishermen...
By Tim Huffman Public-marked structures, or fish shelters, are often scoffed as being the community hole, quick-stop shop, and other less than flattering titles....
Fly rods aren’t only for catching trout. Fly-fishing offers a fun and highly effective way to put crappie in the boat. by Jeff Samsel...
Story & photos by Ron Presley Sharing crappie-fishing adventures is a tradition passed down from generation to generation in many families. I have a...
Story & photos by Keith Sutton It’s spring again. Dogwoods are blooming, and crappie are biting in the shoreline shallows of many lakes in...
by John Neporadny Jr. Kyle Schoenherr says bushes like these are prime springtime targets. Gusty spring winds blowing across the Illinois flatlands surrounding Rend...
by Jeff Samsel Black and white crappie are big and plentiful in South Carolina’s Santee Cooper lakes, and spring delivers the finest opportunities of...
by Tim Huffman Photos reveal that big fish are indeed a thing of beauty, at least to a crappie fisherman. Photos in this article...
Story & Photos by Darl Black At 17,000 surface acres, Pymatuning Lake is Pennsylvania’s largest inland body of water. Therefore during January, February and...
Story & photos by Vic Attardo I have to say I’m proud of myself. I’ve been writing CrappieNow articles on ice fishing up here...
September is a good time to get outdoors to chase some crappie. CrappieNow takes a look at several techniques for catching fall crappie along...
October is a time for transitional crappie. Locating fish can be tricky but once you find them the action is good. CrappieNow tells you...
The December issue of CrappieNow Magazine takes a look at an old-time Christmas dinner, tying your own jigs, catching crappie from shallow water along...
November crappie can be active and cooperative. CrappieNow Magazine covers tips and tactics for catching these Holiday crappie. Read like a Magazine (Page Flipping)...
by Vernon Summerlin CrappieNow editor Tim Huffman and I were exchanging emails; he was bragging ’bout the bucks he’s taken this season and I...
Story & photos by Ron Presley When the temperatures drop and the cold wind blows in the northern part of the U.S. and Canada,...
Story & photos by Keith Sutton “How can I catch more crappie?”All who enjoy crappie fishing want an answer to that. Most who pursue...
Jonathan VanDam, Michigan, B.A.S.S. Elite Series Champion. “Yes, I catch crappie while I’m bass fishing. I catch them on small drop-shots, swim baits, spinners...
The January issue of CrappieNow is the Top 10 Edition. Each segment has a list of 10 tips, tactics or series of solutions the...
by Ron Presley The smell of fresh cut grass and rising smoke from outdoor grills are undeniable signals that summer is in full swing....
by Keith Sutton On many waters, Mother Nature throws a monkey wrench into our plans for a worry-free April crappie-catching junket. Crappie aren’t spawning...
By Tim Huffman We have to run full speed up and down the lake, making sure we have the latest and best electronics with...