Columns Archives - Page 38 of 130 - Mississippi Sportsman

June 1, 2026

Every slab crappie was small once. Effects of environmental conditions on growth and survival of young fish determines future fishing.

Effects of turbidity on young crappie

April 12, 2019 Hal Schramm

Understanding the effects of environmental conditions on young crappie is especially important because abundance of crappie year-classes varies widely over time. […]

Painting a crankbait, even with a state-of-the-art airbrush paint, is a process that takes many, many steps and coats of paint to give the bait a perfect finish.

Tie on a Black Label balsa crankbait

March 27, 2019 Don Shoopman

Mississippi pro’s hand-crafted balsa crankbaits are square-billed, bass-catching creations. […]

These nice bass were released alive, but even low mortality that occurs for released fish may be making bass harder to catch.

What is fisheries induced evolution?

March 25, 2019 Hal Schramm

That fishing may be changing populations has long been known in commercial fisheries, but recent research suggests that recreational fishing can also change populations. […]

“Don’t pass up fishing the trunks of the cypress trees, since the bass may bed up against the trunks or the knees,” Paul Elias said.

March bassing at Bogue Homa

March 19, 2019 Paul Elias

Bogue Homa, near Laurel, kicks off some of the best bass fishing in Mississippi for prespawn, spawning and postspawn bass in March, when bass start into the sparse dollar pads. […]

Grilled double-bacon venison cheeseburger roll

March 18, 2019 Jerry Dilsaver

This month’s recipe includes venison, bacon and cheese. With this combination, it has to be good. Factor in that it’s cooked on a grill, and it keeps adding points. […]

Jerkbaits will trigger strikes from speckled trout year-round, but they’re especially productive in cold weather.

Jerkbaits can give speckled trout fits

March 14, 2019 Chris Bush

How to cast jerkbaits and get the merciless response that speckled trout exhibit after staring down its hard-plastic foe. […]

Quail and rice recipe

February 21, 2019 Jerry Dilsaver

This wonderful quail dish is a bird hunter’s delight. […]

Rat-L-Trap’s new MR-6 crankbait

February 19, 2019 Don Shoopman

Rat-L-Trap’s new MR-6 crankbait has everything in it tour anglers want, including a low-pitched knocking sound unlike the rattle of a Rat-L-Trap. […]

Paul Elias picks Ross Barnett as his favorite February bass fishing place.

Ross Barnett is February fave

February 13, 2019 Paul Elias

February is one of the most-productive months to fish Ross Barnett Reservoir to catch very big and good numbers of bass. […]

The author gets together with a group of anglers every spring on Michigan’s Lake St. Clair. Everyone travels at least 600 miles for the event. Although they can’t claim ancestral fishing rights, this annual trip has great value to their small tribe.

The value of fish and fisheries

February 5, 2019 Hal Schramm

It is a good time to think a little deeper than just about fish biology or catching them. […]

This black drum fell for a Z-Man Trout Trick.

Species spotlight: black drum

January 28, 2019 Brian Cope

Black drum are plentiful and can be found in a variety of habitats. They eat a wide range of foods, and provide lots of enjoyment to anglers across the southeastern states. […]

Schools of jumping silver carp are common on the Mississippi River. Silver carp are abundant in Kentucky Lake and have moved upstream into Pickwick Lake and down the Tenn-Tom Waterway to Bay Springs Lake.

Silver carp update

January 22, 2019 Hal Schramm

Asian carp have been expanding their territory throughout the Mississippi River and connected waters for several decades.
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