OPENING CAST MAY 2026
Spawning Season Surge: Game On for Slabs
Slab crappie catching is in full speed ahead! Game on!!!!
Crappie are in all stages of the spawn: prespawn, on the beds and postspawn. During any given day, hour or weather, they are catchable.
During this time, multiple techniques work while most fish are anywhere between one and 14 feet deep. This is great fun and well worth the time on the water to catch a limit of some of the best-eating fish that swim.
Building Lasting Legacies & Lifelong Friendships
Oak River Media captures the essence of what it means to be a “good student” in a Brushpile Fishing classroom as Penny Cox, Sarah Baker, Lisa Weakley and Kristen Anderson prove to be diligent notetakers. With the volume of information being tossed around daily, jotting it down is the only hope for retaining as much […]
Muddy Water Crappie
Tournament angler Dennis Outlaw said confidence in the ability to work out a pattern keeps anglers focused until they find and catch fish. Muddy Water Crappie Story and photos by Terry Madewell Tournament crappie anglers are a hardy lot and have learned to cope with adverse conditions to consistently catch crappie. But not all challenges […]
When to Target Black Crappie Instead of White
Black crappie (top) and white crappie (bottom) may look similar, but their spring behavior isn’t the same. Water clarity and habitat often determine which species is most catchable. When to Target Black Crappie Instead of White Story and photos by Keith Sutton Across much of the South and Midwest, anglers are blessed—and sometimes confused—by lakes […]
Arizona Crappie at a Distance
Dropping a 1/8-ounce jig in front of a desert reservoir slab crappie has been a specialty of Randy Howton. His love for crappie fishing and taking others out started after the passing of his father and many hours dedicated to perfecting his skills with live imaging sonar. Arizona Crappie at a Distance By Scott Mackenthun […]
Three Tactics for Non-Forward-Facing Sonar Crappie
Brad Chappel is a pulling expert who focuses on Mississippi lakes. His setup for pulling jigs is an efficient and effective way to pull. Three Tactics for Non-Forward-Facing Sonar Crappie Photos and Story by Tim Huffman Forward-facing sonar is efficient and a great tool for catching crappie. However, not everybody wants to spend all day […]
Crappie Basics: Tips for Shallow Spring Fishing
Senior writer Tim Huffman knows that small structural changes often attract slab crappie. That one-foot drop, that hidden ditch, that barely noticeable edge—that’s where big spring crappie like this stack up. Learn how to find them and you’ll catch more fish, plain and simple. Crappie Basics: Tips for Shallow Spring Fishing Photo and Story by […]
New Crappie Regs on Illinois’ Kincaid Lake
New rules at Kinkaid mean more fish to eat at home and a better future for the lake. Keep up to 25 crappie, but only 10 over 10 inches. Take the small ones home and help grow the giants. New Crappie Regs on Illinois’ Kincaid Lake Photo and Story By Keith Sutton If you’re planning a […]
Paddlin’ with Madalyn: Targeting Postspawn Crappie from a Kayak
Paddlin’ with Madalyn: Targeting Postspawn Crappie from a Kayak Photos and Story By Madalyn Roberts As crappie head to deeper water after the spring spawn, that’s the most opportune time for a new kayak angler to determine their preferred technique of fishing. During this postspawn period, anglers can fish just about any way they prefer […]
Product Buzz, by Scott Mackenthun
Action Glow Cups Action Glow Cups were created by a Utah angler with a mind for figuratively building a better mouse trap. Anyone who fishes after dark or in low light conditions with glowing jigs knows how important it is to have a jig charger. Most chargers require you to turn them on, or drop [...]