OPENING CAST MAY 2025
I live in a quandary this time of year. Do I go to the lake or to the woods?
You folks who turkey hunt know whereof I speak. It is turkey time in Tennessee (where I live, and much of the rest of the country).
For nearly 20 years I have been a fishing guide. That means virtually all of my springtime days were dedicated to taking clients fishing, leaving almost no time for me to turkey hunt. And when I did, my lack of experience caused me to do it poorly. Hence, I have dubbed myself, “The World’s Worst Turkey Hunter.”
Destination: Reelfoot Lake, Tennessee
by Tim Huffman
Reelfoot Lake was created in 1811 when a massive earthquake on the New Madrid Fault caused the Mississippi River to actually flow backwards for nearly a day. It flooded the area, creating the 15,000-acre Reelfoot Lake. With an average depth of 5.5 feet, it is one of the most unique places in the country to crappie fish.
Brushpile Fever
by Madalyn Roberts
When we talk about “crappie school,” one would usually assume we are talking about a bunch of fish hanging out around their favorite brushpile.
But today we’re talking about a different crappie school for fishermen, arguably one of the best such schools you will ever find.
Dock Shooting Hard-to-reach Crappie
by Brent Frazee
Fishermen in general love to keep secrets. But when you get on the lake and “smack ‘em,” sometimes you just have to share your success. Discover a productive technique or a new lure, and good luck trying to keep the word from getting out.
Terry Blankenship, a guide and nationally known fisherman at Missouri’s Lake of the Ozarks, can attest to that.
Destination: Get Hooked on Ridgeland, MS
by Explore Ridgeland
If you’re looking for an unforgettable crappie fishing experience, Ridgeland, Mississippi, is where you need to be. Nestled along the shores of the Barnett Reservoir—affectionately known as “The Rez”—this destination has long been a hotspot for anglers seeking slab-sized crappie.
Fishing the Oxbows
by Keith Sutton
Fast-paced fishing for heavyweight crappie, beautiful scenery, easy access, a get-away-from-it-all atmosphere: these are some of the things crappie anglers look for when seeking a first-rate fishing spot. They are also the drawing cards to the Mississippi River oxbow lakes in Arkansas, as well as in many other states.
The Passing of a Legend
by Larry Rea
Visit any crappie or catfishing event held in the Southeast, or a gathering of outdoor journalists and communicators and there is a good chance Ron Wong beat you there. Ron and his camera went everywhere together, documenting the outdoor lives of many.
Product Buzz
by Scott Mackenthun
Fire up the fishing dance party with a disco ball looking jig, protect your phone from future trips overboard with a tethering device, use a reel that turns like butter and feels weightless, and fish an American made underspin jig that crappies love.
Lure of the Month: Crappie Magnet “Roo”
by Terry Madewell
Sometimes greatness, even in small packages, takes a while for all the components to ‘marry’ and blend into a compatible profile. But when the plan comes together, you’ve got a fishing partner for life. That’s the script Crappie Angler, TV Show Host, and Crappie Magnet Prostaff member Russ Bailey – along with the folks at Crappie Magnet – employed to produce this new lure.
Crappie Basics: Side Imaging Color, Pick Your Poison
Does the color of your screen make a difference in what you see on your side-imaging sonar?
According to Matt Xenos, expert crappie angler and WiredforCrappie YouTube creator – the answer is definitely, “Yes.”
BUFORD AND BO
by Larry Whiteley
Buford and Bo live up the road from me. They are inseparable. You don’t see one without the other. Buford is Bo’s best friend and an old farmer. Bo is Buford’s best friend – a cross between a cocker spaniel and a beagle.
