Crappie/Bream Archives - Page 13 of 27

September 5, 2026

Scott Vance is a master at catching slab crappie at any time of the year, but he excels in February’s pre-spawn at Okatibbee Lake.

Slay slabs now!

February 1, 2018 Michael O. Giles

Scott Vance dropped a few jigs into the water, but before he could get all his poles out, the action began. […]

Walk into any tackle shop this time of year and you’ll likely be overwhelmed with choices of crappie jigs to use to tempt one of the country’s favorite gamefish. How do you decide which one(s) to buy and use? […]

When managers at Barnett Reservoir increase discharge at the spillway, crappie are pulled through the gates and congregate in the eddy currents below.

Sure-thing spillway slabs?

January 1, 2018 David Hawkins

A popular idiom for simplicity is to compare something to “shooting fish in a barrel.” It has no better application than some winter fishing opportunities on the Pearl River when the waters in the spillway below Barnett Reservoir begin to rise. […]

Limits of big crappie have been taken from the edge of the river channel above and below the Mississippi Highway 43 Bridge at Barnett Reservoir. It's usually a winter hot spot but this year, it started earlier and has just gotten better.

Barnett crappie hot in December

December 20, 2017 Bobby Cleveland

Crappie fishermen on Barnett Reservoir enjoyed an early Christmas present in December, with one of the best late-season runs on the fish in anyone’s memory. […]

Helpful hints for fall crappie

October 15, 2017 David A. Brown

For fall crappie work, consider these eight finer points to help you catch your limit during the fall months. […]

Trolling the transition – Can’t miss September crappie tips

October 1, 2017 David A. Brown

As shad make their way into creeks and coves, crappie will be right behind them. Here’s what you need to know to load up this fall. […]

This slab crappie also inhaled a Cajun Lures’ Slim Jimmy.

Slim Jimmys

September 27, 2017 Don Shoopman

Before there was a Cooyon Croaker, Kaplan-based Cajun Lures probably was best known for the little soft plastic that slayed sac-a-lait here, there and everywhere. […]

When the bite slows around brush piles, Terry Blankenship will hold his jig motionless at the same depth crappie are holding, and he can usually trigger a strike.

Top 7 tips for catching slabs in brush

September 18, 2017 Andy Crawford

Terry Blankenship’s passion is finding and catching crappie year-round. And the fish don’t stand a chance when the summer heat pushes fish out to deep, flooded brush and standing timber. […]

Fish Sensory Systems: Part 3

September 11, 2017 Hal Schramm

This final segment explores fishes’ ability to detect sound and water movement. These senses may have much more to do with feeding than formerly known or even thought. […]

A number of set ups are used for power trolling, but most involve tandem jigs and a heavy weight to keep the baits down in the water column at faster trolling speeds.

One head, different colors

July 15, 2017 Phillip Gentry

Veteran crappie angler Les Smith highly recommends Road Runner jigheads for his style of power trolling. He said the balance of the jig, along with the additional flash provided by the spinner blade works well when power trolling. […]

Night fishing musts

July 15, 2017 David Hawkins

When fishing at night, remember to pack these five items to be safe and also have a comfortable and fun time. […]

Steve Coleman replaces jigs with crankbaits and pushes them out the front of his boat in power trolling fashion.

Coleman and Capps love deep cranking

July 15, 2017 Phillip Gentry

For the last 20 years, the team of Ronnie Capps and Steve Coleman has been the team to beat on national crappie tournament circuits. The duo has developed tournament crappie tactics so successful that manufacturers began creating rods, rigs, and lures just for that style of fishing. […]