I’ll be honest. When I started writing I didn’t crappie fish much and I truly didn’t have much interest in it. However, since then, I’ve spent a lot of time with guys like Richard Malcom, Maurice Van Hall, Chop Stover, and a few others that really helped me see the light. I mean right next to spotted bass, crappie have become some of my favorite fish to catch. They’re tons of fun and awesome to eat on top of it all!
Recently, my buddy Richard texted me and asked if I wanted to join him and Chop for an evening of crappie fishing.
Well, it was a cool streak and only going to be 96 that evening so I decided to grab a jacket and head out… Of course, when I showed up at Sugar Creek to meet them my first comment was why did Richard only invite me when it was extremely hot or extremely cold?
He quickly explained I was one of the only ones dumb enough to say yes!
So, Chop, Richard, and I took off in search of crappie in the heat. Now, that is not an easy thing to do. Unlike bass or a few other species, crappie seems to get lock jaw and are tough to catch when the water gets this hot in the later part of the summer.
Now let me introduce you folks to Chop Stover. He’s as big a guy as he is kind and funny. He loves crappie fishing and his kids. That meant that we were going to get along just fine. He also owns Slab Snatchers Custom Baits, which you can find on Facebook, as well as over at Sugar Creek Marina.
This was the first time I had ever seen his baits and his set-up, but it won’t be the last! Chop is filling a niche market right now that is well-made, small baits that convince these crappies to eat. It’s an interesting bait that is molded very well with a tough plastic that will last numerous fish. That’s a big plus in today’s market.
Richard, being the crappie master he is, set off and we caught fish at every spot we tried that evening.
The water temp was 90 in most places. If we found an area with just 87 or 88, the fish were easier to catch.
We hit shallow brush piles, sticks, and structures that evening, and these guys taught me several things.
First was that crappie fishing has changed greatly (which I knew) through Livescope, which made it actually more accessible to most fishermen.
You don’t need to troll, push, or rig 24 poles. You really only need a rod to shoot or accurately cast (like a 7’3” St Croix panfish medium light) and a 14’-16’ rod to use when the fish get spooky and don’t like the trolling motor. Those longer poles allow you to keep the fish away from you and make them easier to catch. Yes, the cost is there, but let’s face it. This is the price of the master’s course.
Livescope, if and when it is used correctly, does help you catch fish, but more importantly, it teaches you about fish.
Now here’s your assignment. Get a crappie outfit together and go buy a box full of Slab Snatchers Custom Baits (I really like the green with black flake, BTW), and go have some fun out there! Even the heat can’t beat a Slab Snatcher.
Tight lines and following seas y’all!