Articles covering the latest events, tips, techniques and fishing stories
It’s finally time, for what in my option is the best crappie show, the 2025 Grizzly Jig Spring Tackle Show in Caruthersville, Missouri. Each year it gets better and better as more people from around the United States are attending this four-day event. During the Spring Tackle Show, they have multiple discounts and sales throughout the entire store on all...
Christmas is almost here and if you haven’t yet, it’s time to start shopping for that crappie angler in your life! A lot of deals can be had this time of year, but more importantly, getting the right gear is vital to fishing success. I spoke to several avid crappie fishermen, guides, and tournament anglers to help break down must-have...
READ MORE 2025 Crappie Christmas Wishlist- What To Get The Angler In Your Life!
It’s no secret that the latest craze and one that isn’t going away anytime soon is crappie fishing with forward facing sonar. All the techniques can be done utilizing forward facing sonar, from spider rigging, long lining, power trolling, flipping, and my favorite technique, casting. One of the questions I get regularly from anglers new to casting while utilizing forward...
It’s all the buzz lately about new regulation changes coming to Arkabutla, Sardis, Enid, and Grenada and what it means for anglers. I spoke with MDWFP, and regulations on lower Sardis Lake, from the Sardis spillway to Spalding creek is now ten crappie per day with no length limit. The daily creel limit for crappie is ten fish per angler,...
Having fished Wappapello Lake most of my life, I know how rare a two-pound crappie is on the lake. However, Tim Shaffer defied all odds when he landed this giant 4.29 pound, 18.75″ crappie on February 20, 2024. I asked Shaffer about the equipment he used to land this crappie! “I vertical jig with two 11′ fly rods with fly...
Well, it’s finally that time of year again! Time for the 2024 Grizzly Jig Spring Tackle Show in Caruthersville, Missouri. Year after year, more people from around the United States are attending this four-day event. During the Spring Tackle Show, they have multiple discounts and sales throughout the entire store on all your favorite brands. Along with the already discounted...
Christmas is almost here and if you haven’t yet, it’s time to start shopping for that crappie angler in your life! A lot of deals can be had this time of year, but more importantly, getting the right gear is vital to fishing success. I spoke to several avid crappie fishermen, guides, and tournament anglers to help break down must-have...
I recently heard about Professional Crappie Anglers United from my friend Charlie Bunting at the 2022 Grizzly Jig Spring Tackle Show. When Mr. Bunting told me about PCAU, it was in its infancy and ideas were still circulating. Since then, I have spoken to both Mr. Bunting and Craig Nichols about PCAU, what it’s about, including benefits, and more. Professional...
In today’s fishing industry, the amount of different fishing line companies can be somewhat overwhelming. Not to mention, the different types of line, colors, and choices like, do I choose monofilament, fluorocarbon, or braid? I recently had the pleasure of speaking to Kelly Albert of K9 Fishing Products about their lineup of fishing lines and gear. Braided fishing line has...
In most states, it’s that time of year and in others, it will be shortly! I’m talking about the annual crappie spawn. Turkey’s are gobbling, Dogwoods are blooming, Morels are popping, and Crappie are spawning. What’s there not to love about spring? For some, spring is the season for crappie fishing, and it’s a great time to get out on...
READ MORE Tips, Techniques, and Understanding Crappie During the Spawn!
Mossback Fish Habitat is an innovative artificial structure designed to enhance the underwater environment and improve overall fish habitat. Founded in 2010 by David King, this product has become increasingly popular among anglers and fisheries managers as an effective way to promote fish growth and reproduction. Mossback Fish Habitat is made from environmentally friendly materials that mimic the natural habitat...
READ MORE Improving the Quality of your Fishery with Mossback Fish Habitat!
Feeling the adrenaline rush of a three pound crappie when it strikes your jig is something that few have had the chance to experience. Crappie Forever was created in early spring of 2021 and officially launched in July 2021, with trophy fish management in mind. I reached out to one of the founders of Crappie Forever, Gabe Sewell, who said,...
Who’s ready for the best crappie show of the year? It’s time for the 20th Annual Grizzly Jig Spring Tackle Show! They are located, at 1503 Truman Boulevard, in Caruthersville, Missouri. If you haven’t been to their new facility then you definitely need to check it out! Their new 133,000 square foot space provides more room for all the fishing...
Those of you who follow TopHat Jigs may have heard that they recently received at patent for their design. I reached out to owner Derek Martin about an article on why fishermen all over the country are using TopHat Jigs. Martin informed me the profile of the bait along with the tail action was simply putting fish in the boat...
By: Greg McCain A chance encounter with an angel prompted the move of Cornfield Fishing Gear to Kentucky.The angel was actually a lab named Angel that greeted Mark Ridl and his wife Paula on a brieftrip to Kentucky Lake years ago – the exact date seems to have faded from everyone’s memory.Angel, owned by Terry Pool, darted into the street...
READ MORE Chance Encounter Prompts Move and Success for Cornfield Fishing Gear!
It’s that time of year again, one of my favorites. While the weather and water are cooling, the crappie bite is getting hot. During the fall transition, several different techniques can be used to catch crappie. A quick internet search on “Where crappie go in the fall” and you’ll find articles that refer to water depth quite frequently. WHERE ARE...
Lithium batteries are the latest craze in the bass fishing community and the boating industry. It seems as if most guys have made the switch, but some haven’t. I wanted to get the low down on lithium batteries, so I contacted Matt Looney with Pro-Guide Batteries to talk lithium! Looney informed me that Pro-Guide Batteries was founded in 1980 by...
Mark Strunk of Kokomo, Indiana, had a dream of competing as a Pro Fisherman and starting his own company that would cater to the Crappie Enthusiast by providing them with innovative performance fishing apparel and gear. With hard work, lots of help from General Manager Lori Verbryck, and determination, Black Speck Fishing & Tackle became a reality. Black Speck Fishing...
In October 2021, I had the opportunity to stay at Holmes Bend Marina and crappie fish Green River Lake in Kentucky. Local crappie guide, David Jones put us on fish immediately! Jones who has fished most of his life has been guiding for the past twenty-one years. He guides full-time on Green River Lake located in south-central Kentucky. The fish...
READ MORE Green River Lake Crappie Trips with Guide David Jones
Well, it’s finally here! It’s time for the 19th Annual Grizzly Jig Spring Tackle Show. They are located, at 1503 Truman Boulevard, in Caruthersville, Missouri. If you haven’t been to their new facility then you definitely need to check it out! Their new 133,000 square foot space provides more room for all the fishing gear you need for your next...
A few weeks ago, I was fortunate enough to visit and stay at Blue Bank Resort at Reelfoot Lake in Tennessee. First off, if you’ve never fished Reelfoot Lake then you are missing out. It is a great destination for crappie, bluegill, bass, and catfish. If you don’t have a boat, there are multiple guides to accommodate you. While staying...
By: Matt Foster Each year I purchase five different states’ fishing licenses and travel all over to catch crappie. Last March, I had the opportunity to fish with Corey Thomas who owns Lake Days Guide Service. The day I fished with Thomas on Dale Hollow Lake, we pulled Crappie Magnet Pro Series Fin Spins on planer boards and caught so...
By: Matt Foster One jig that can be rigged two ways! That’s what Derek Martin of Mount Pulaski, Illinois created when he started Tophat Jigs in the winter of 2020. “Like anyone, my mind is always thinking what can I do to make something better,” said, Martin. Martin, who is a farmer by trade, said, “My wife Renee bought a...
By: Matt Foster Are you looking for some hand-tied jigs with a bit of flair? Kenneth Urbahns, with Tiny’s Bait and Tackle, started tying jigs, April 2021 after watching a guy on Lake Fork crappie fish on YouTube. Urbahns said, “I have always enjoyed crafting things. I tie a bit thicker and longer than most. The thickness allows for quieter...
By: Matt Foster Have you ever wanted to learn a new technique for catching crappie, but weren’t sure where to start? Or maybe you just wanted to re-stock your fillet supply. Guides possess a wealth of knowledge when it comes to crappie fishing and Tim Howell of Long Branch Guide Service is no exception! Long Branch Guide Service is owned...
By: Matt Foster If you like using Berkley PowerBait or Crappie Magnet Slab Bites, but get tired of them continually falling off the hook or having to replace them after each fish then the Eye Hole Jig is just what you need. Blake and Resee Phillips of Dothan, Alabama started Eye Hole Jig two years ago. Blake said, “I came...
By: Matt Foster In March 2021, I was invited by the Brushpile Fishing crew to attend a media camp on Dale Hollow Lake at Cedar Hill Marina. I was unsure of what to expect as this was the first media camp I had ever been invited to. After driving for approximately six hours, I slowly pulled down the hill at...
By: Matt Foster Recently, at the Brushpile Fishing Media Camp, I had the opportunity to take SLIME LINE Owners Kaleb Page and Ashleigh Warren crappie fishing on beautiful Dale Hollow Lake. While fishing, I asked them about the SLIME LINE brand. Page informed me that he started the SLIME LINE brand in 2017, and they are based out of Roxboro,...
By: Matt Foster As the temperature drops and the north wind begins to blow, most crappie fisherman have winterized their boat and stored their rods away until Spring. However, this time of year can provide exceptional crappie fishing for those willing to brave the cold. I contacted three crappie fishing guides/tournament fisherman to learn why wintertime crappie fishing was their...
By: Matt Foster Have you ever wondered what it would be like to watch a fish take your bait live? Garmin Livescope was released in 2018 and it’s the latest craze to hit the fishing world. Nearly all tournament anglers and guides have one. With it retailing for $1,499, most weekend anglers can afford it, too. However, most who use...
By: Matt Foster Innovative, professional, cutting-edge, and ingenious are just a few words I have heard people use to describe Mark Ridl at Cornfield Crappie Gear. After seeing some of the products that Mark and his team at Cornfield Crappie Gear have been putting out, I had to give him a call. When Mark answered the telephone, I could hear...
By: Matt Foster I thought I had fished for crappie using just about every technique out there. That was until I read a few posts on Facebook from Brad Whitehead and Joel Harris about side pulling. It immediately piqued my interest and I had to learn about this technique. I reached out to both Whitehead and Harris to figure out...
By: Matt Foster I’m not sure about you, but if it’s not going to snow then I’m ready for spring. Here in southeast Missouri, it has been a long, cold, rainy winter. As I type this article and listen to the rain, I can’t help but think of catching spring-time crappie. It’s what nearly every crappie fisherman lives for- warmer...
By: Matt Foster Having been in business since 1947, the folks at B’n’M Pole Company know a thing or two when it comes to making a quality fishing rod. I interviewed B’n’M Pole Company Director of Marketing and Wholesale Accounts Manager, Jason McDuffie. “B’n’M Pole Company was founded after World War II as a broom and mop manufacturing facility,” McDuffie...
By: Matt Foster Sharp hooked me up with a few packs of the new Brush Divers to test out. When I removed the first one from the pack, I immediately noticed how firm the jig felt. I have used jigs in the past that were too soft and would fall apart after a dozen catches, but these felt different. After...
by: Matt Foster It’s the one thing that’s on every tournament fisherman’s mind, winning! But, just what does it take to win a tournament? Is it bait presentation, boat speed, fishing technique, rods, or any of the other factors that can play a vital role in a fisherman’s success or failure? For this article, I reached out to the top...