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Hey y'all, hope you're having a fantastic week! Really appreciate you tuning in to Target Crappie – if you've got any thoughts or suggestions, just shoot us a note. Thanks for reading!

How Cliff Bammes won the Grenada Crappie Masters Tournament

A team deal but no partner needed for Cliff! He was 0.47-lb out of the lead on day 1 and won it with a 2-day total of 28.74, a 0.99-lb winning margin. We got ahold of him to find out the deets, here you go:

How did you go about finding these fish in practice?

> "In early spring I look at the water temperature. It was about 49-50 degrees, so I started in 14-15' of water in the arm and worked my way to the back – then I marked the fish. I caught a couple just to see the size of them and how the fish reacted....


> "I worked my way through and got into about 5-6' of water, and I caught a 3.40, a 2.80 and a 2.80 back to back. I went to the next arm, started back in 4-5' of water, caught big fish, I was set. I knew where to go.

> "I stayed in 1 area for the whole tournament. The area I was fishing was about a half a mile to 1/4 of a mile, and I just kept going back and forth across it."

How did you key in on finding the biggest fish?

> "When I caught my bigger fish in practice, all 3 were on the bottom – they weren't running. I saw a lot of fish suspended, but they seem to be in the 2.5-lb range. It seemed to me the bigger fish were stuck on the bottom.


> "I went to the other arm of the lake and did the same thing where I found a big fish in the first arm. I pulled up and immediately caught a 2.90 laying on the bottom.That told me that there's big fish holding on the bottom [so] that was kind of my gameplan.


> "...my 2 biggest fish in the tournament – one each day – both of them were floating. But all the rest of the big fish I caught were laying on the bottom. ...the more active fish that would eat your jig were laying on the bottom."

How did the fish behavior change over the course of the tournament?

> "It seemed like I got a better floating fish bite in the afternoons than I did in the mornings, but the fish on the bottom pretty much ate all day.


> "Day 2 of the tournament I had about a 1-hour window from noon to 1:00 where I probably caught 20 fish over 2 lbs. That was really a little run that put it together for me for the win."

Was there anything that you changed up to come back for the win after day 1?

> "I think the biggest thing was the wind blew really hard [and] I stayed out in the wind. I stayed in my area and I just kept my head down. I think being persistent and staying in there on those big fish until they bit was the difference.

> "People started leaving and trying to go find something...by 1:30 there was only 2 out of 24 boats that started out there.

> "Day 2 with the wind blowing I went with a 3/4-oz tungsten egg sinker about 8 inches above the 1/4-oz jighead. I did that just because it was really hard to hold in that wind.

> "I could set it right on his head and get it there fast, and it took about 2-3 seconds with the jig on the fish's head before they would react to it – that's hard when you have a 20mph wind."

How did your electronics play into the win?

> "This year I started with a 22-inch SeeLite Adapt screen. I was hesitant about getting the 22 inches – it makes everything look bigger, but I think that bigger screen allowed me to see the fish on the bottom better because it made them bigger."

> "I could pick them out easier, and there was a lot of carp and buffalo – I really think that helped me to distinguish what was what.

> "I'm running Garmin, and I was using the [LVS] 32 transducer. I've got the 34 and 32 on a trolling motor. I use the 32 when the fish are running from me. You can see 'em a little bit better.

> "I'm running a high color gain and a high gain. I run distance out at 50, then zoom in as I get closer to the fish. At Grenada, with fish on the bottom, I set depth at 10 because I could see 'em easier. Normally I always run it on 15."

His winning gear:

> 2.5" Pro-Tuff TK and 2.5" Pro-Tuff Stryker (both in orange/chart), 1/4-oz Rally Time Jighead, 3/4-oz tungsten sinker, 25-lb K9 Yellow Crappie Braid to K9 Fluorocarbon leader, H&H Hurricane Baitcaster, 15' H&H Warpig Series Rod.

Ever get crappie to bite by making shad pops?

> "You got to have a blade, man. I like that blade...."

- That's crappie legend Wally "Mr. Crappie" Marshall talking about one of his favorite ways to catch 'em – reelin' an underspin, and here's why:

> "I'm going to use my Sausage Spins...especially in murky water when I'm vertical-jigging in these cattails and button willows and stuff like that.

> "I want that blade to hit up against that head and make some sound...you pop that 2-3 times and the fish start trying to locate that because the shad pop.

> "When you go to casting at brushpiles and stuff like that after the spawn, when the fish move out a little bit deeper, I'll use a blade on trees – dipping the trees. So that kind of gives me an edge."

Wally said his favorite trailers for that Sausage Head Spin are the Mr. Crappie Slabalicious and Crappie Thunder.

Spawn isn't just about water temp?

Here's a real interesting post from B'n'M Poles' instagram talkin' how photoperiod, the duration of daylight in a single day, is a major factor for when crappie move up to spawn:

> "Along with water temperature, photoperiod is one of the major factors that affects when crappie will spawn.

> "Crappie are triggered to begin to move to their spawning grounds when the length of daylight between sunrise and sunset reaches about 13.3 hours and generally the spawn winds to an end when it reaches 14.6 hours.

> "The lengthening daylight also creates hormonal changes in females that matures the eggs to be laid."

Looks like we have a little more time before we get to that 13-hr mark, (currently right at 12) but I'm sure there's already plenty up there if you have the shallow water itch!

Use bass-sized baits sometimes?

They say a pic is worth 1,000 words, so how about 4 pics?

These are all photos of bass fishermen fishing bass baits – jigs, jerkbaits and jighead minnows – that big crappie (and one huge 'gill) ate.

Bottom left is Target Crappie's Brett Jolley, and bottom right is a pic from CA bass tournament fisherman and guide Todd Kline – that bait is a 5-INCH DEPS Sakamata Shad! 🤯

Mount that slab right!

You just caught a crappie worthy of your wall – one of those fish that makes your buddies think you're the man for a hot second. You know you want it mounted – what's next?

Talked to SD's Tyler Erickson who's blending art, conservation and some serious craftsmanship with his World-Class Replicas line. One of his current projects is molding the MN state record crappie, caught by 8-year-old Axel A. that weighed 3-13 and was 18" long:

Here's what Tyler said to do when you boat that slab:

1. Don't wrap your fish in newspaper!

> "That's the worst thing you can do...it's a total disaster.

> "...lay it flat, fold the fins in, wrap it in a wet towel, squeeze out excess water, and bag it. That frozen towel shields those fins."

2. Snap pics fast

You want to make sure you've got some quality photos to help recreate it later. Make sure they are quality ones too – no blurry phone pics or half-lit shots:

> "If you're thinking of a replica, grab your camera fast. Get side, top, fins spread – mouth open if you can.

> "Shoot in natural light while [the fish is] wet, before colors fade. The goal is to capture the fish while it's still fresh and vibrant."

3. Don't gut the fish

> "Biggest mistake I see – gutting the fish. It throws off the body and makes it a pain to work with. Keep it whole: freeze it right or let it go with good photos."

4. Know when it's not a good skin-mount fish

> "If it's scarred or torn up, don't bother. Skin mounts can't hide flaws. Snap a few pics, release it and we'll build a perfect blank.

> "Beat-up fish don't mount very well [so] let them go and opt for a flawless replica."

5. Not every fish needs to be mounted

> "Unless it's a freak – record-worthy or crazy fat – let it swim [if you're not eating it!].

> "Replicas look better anyway.... Think conservation and let it fight again."

1. MO: Win $50K at the Big Crappie Challenge May 17-18


Lake of the Ozarks, grand prize is $50K for the biggest crappie with bi-hourly payouts up to $1K.

Entry fee is $150 for 1 day, $200 for 2 days. Anglers 17 and younger at the time of the tournament are half off the adult entry fee.

2. AL: Folks making serious $ in Crappie Rodeo

Including a $1,000-tagged fish!

3. AR: Lake Ouachita fishing "very good" for crappie

4. TN: Where the bite is right now

Crappie have "bounced back" on Kentucky Lake, feeding "pretty good" on Watts Bar, "amazing" on Center Hill.

Also on the Tennessee River:

> "Early in the season I'll begin near the mouth, often trolling in 20' of water. That's where you'll find schools of baitfish, usually with a wolf pack of crappie following them."

5. TX: Sabine River is heating up

> "River fishing and crappie are the same and the Sabine is loaded with crappie. The March crappie spawn is legendary on the Sabine in the shallows. Cypress trees and buck brush will be involved as well as big slabs.

> "In some high-water events, the crappie will push upstream to spawn, much like the white bass. Find the right culvert with a strong discharge and the crappie could be stacked and waiting for you to rescue them."

6. TX: How they're biting right now

Fork is "really good", crappie spawn will "begin any day" on Palo Pinto, on Houston "crappie are great in Luces Bayou eating small jigs in 8' of water, but should move back shallow to spawn by the weekend."

7. Z-Man crappie baits on sale all March!

On their website ^.

8. New Great Lakes Finesse Dropkick Shad Swimbait

2.75", caught plenty of slabs on bigger swimbaits, this one could be killer!

9. ME: Lead-head trade-in at Maine Sportsmen's Shows

Lead tackle is illegal in ME due to loons.

10. MO: Pond management workshops

2 upcoming in NW MO:

> "The workshops will cover a wide variety of topics including pond site selection, pond construction, pond stocking, fisheries management, aquatic vegetation management, pond watershed management and nuisance wildlife."

11. MN/WI: Free onX Fish class TOMORROW at 6:30pm CST

> "An introductory tutorial on how to get the most out of the onX Fish App. ...live Q&A...enter giveaways for free gear, and walk away with a better knowledge of how to use the Fish App to its full potential both on the water and on the ice. Attendance is limited...."

12. NC: Looks like not many carp in Mattamuskeet

So guess that's not the issue with the lake's turbid/muddy water.

13. DC: How tariffs could impact the fishing industry

> "...about 60% of fishing gear sold in the US is imported...from China.

> "The risk for the sportfishing and boating industries is that money spent for boats, motors, marine gear and fishing tackle is 'discretionary spending.' We don't have to buy this gear, unlike buying a car or truck."

Hair jigs better in cold water because...

> "The density of cold water gets the best out of a hair jig."

That's IL guide Matt England talkin' why he uses hair jigs in the pre-spawn:

> "They don't displace a lot of water and move subtly and naturally."

> But if they aren't buying the free-range jig, England slows things down with a slip-float. "Fish have more time to find and hit the jig under a cork."

Matt noted that he uses Thill Crappie Corks because each size is labeled to match specific jig weights.

> He ties the same hair jig with a loop knot beneath the float. The specialty knot lets the jig 'lullaby swing.' England activates the cork and jig with small twitches, which prompts the jig's hair to pulse ever-so-slightly.

> "They might just close their mouth around the jig, not pulling or running – it's imperative to watch the cork like a hawk. Irregular activity, like tipping to one side, can indicate there's a taker."

How 'bout this near 4-lber from Truman Lake! 3.63 lbs and 18" long, caught by MO's Dustin K on Mar 2 on his own hand-tied hair jig. He said:

> "Most of the fish were sitting in the mud...this one was suspended in 17' of water.

> "When I spotted the fish, I knew it was big and began easing up to it. I got in position, I just dropped the bait in like I always do and she smoked it with no hesitation!"

His gear:

> 1/32-oz hair jig with a tungsten weight above it, 15-lb fluoro, 13' Edgar Kyler Beckmann Series Rod.

National Professional Anglers Assoc.

MN-FISH