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Hey y’all! Hope you've been on some good ones lately! Here's another Target Crappie email packed with the latest slabby goodness!

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Horse apple trees were the deal? 👀 🤔

Y'all hear that?? Jordan Sanders and Jason Holleman got 1st at the Crappie Masters Bracket Showdown on Lake Fork, TX on Aug 2 – and they were dialed into somethin'!

We got the lowdown from Jordan on how they outfished some absolute sticks. The secret? Hedge apple trees were holdin' all the monster fish! 😎 Ain’t just luck – those "bodark" trees (bois d'arc) were the ticket!

Osage orange’s got a heap of names, but we’re stickin’ with horse apple and bodark from here on out lol.

Ready for the juicy details? Let’s roll!

What's the deal with the bracket-style Crappie Masters tournament?

> "Bracket-style crappie fishing is probably the new age of crappie tournaments. It's a different format...you're not fishing against 100 people...you're fishing 1-on-1...just to make it to the last day...and then give it your all. Making it to the last day is a feat in itself."

How did you find the winning fish in practice?

> "I'm a full-time guide on Lake Fork...I'm not just your regular guide. I'm not going to take you out and sit you on a brushpile and catch 50 fish...we're going to go out and actually target the biggest fish in the lake at that point in time.

> "If it's summertime...we're looking for a 2-lber. If it's winter or spring...we're looking for a 3-lber. I'd say that mindset was key to winning.

> "Leading up to that tournament, I'd actually won another tournament [on Fork] about 10 days earlier. I'm not exaggerating...we covered 16 miles of water on the trolling motor. [🤯]

> "I was able to put a solid pattern together...something I'd never seen on Fork. I realized it wasn't just standing timber. It wasn't just about creek channels or bait. It was about the tree.

> "We often forget about that. We just see trees on 'Scope and think, Oh, there's fish on it. But it was the specific tree that mattered. I was targeting true bodark trees (horse apple trees) – anytime I saw one I saw tournament fish."

> "I knew where the best fish were on the NW arm so I guided there all week...when I had an hour here or there, I'd drop the trolling motor and look for bodark trees that were 15-20' wide in 14-32' of water.

> "Anytime I saw one of those trees with branches that were 15, 20, even 30' wide...with a trunk at least 18 inches wide...sometimes up to 3' thick...there'd be a little 'glow' down in the root system on LiveScope...those were the tournament-winning fish in that 1.70 up to 2.60 class fish....

> "In our regular tournaments, we drop the trolling motor, put our heads down in a creek channel and go until we see a big fish. 

> "In this one, I'd drop the trolling motor in an area I knew had 3 or 4 of those trees...hit those trees...then pick up and run to the next area with 3 or 4 more. It was the most fuel I've ever burned in a tournament."

Do you think spot-hoppin' was the deal more than Scooping?

> "Yes, because LiveScope – I think a lot of guys are stuck in their ways. They drop the trolling motor and look for a big dot...they're not patterning the behavior. 

> "I knew from 2 weeks before the tournament that [I had a real shot] to win...because I understood why my fish were there...and if they moved, I [had a pretty good idea] where they'd go....

> "...but they had no reason to leave...that tree was giving them everything. It was coming all the way to the top of the water...it provided veg which gave off oxygen and brought in baitfish...and it provided shade. A little 6-inch oak tree isn't going to do that."

Did you have a hard time seeing the fish on those trees?

> "That's right. Some were up to 3-4' in diameter...bodark trees are a real hard wood [= gives a big sonar return]...makes it tough seeing a 16-inch crappie down there. They looked more like a bright spot – like a knot in the tree."

Were you vertical-jigging or casting to 'em?

> "We were using 15' Ozark Machine rods...vertical-jigging straight down with live bait...just putting that minnow down there and watching for a reaction. As soon as I saw one I'd ease it away [slowly pull up on the jig] and put 'em in the boat.

> "Biggest problem with LiveScope is people trying to cast or push baits. I'd rather get right on top of the fish and make sure I'm dropping right on their nose."

Jordan said the fish were just nipping at their baits and downsizing was the deal:

> "In the summer heat, fish don't want to exert energy...just like we don't want to eat a big burger when we're sweating. Lighter tackle helps 'em eat it easier.

> "I tried 1/8-oz, but the fish were too lethargic...they'd nip at it but wouldn't suck it in. We were using 1/16-oz Guthrie Tackle Jigheads with a 3/4-oz tungsten bullet-style weight above to get it down to the fish. ...20-lb Crappie Head Fishing Slab Braid to a 20-lb flourocarbon leader."

What's your electronic setup look like?

> "We run the Garmin GPSMAP 1222 with the LVS32. All purchased from Find the Fish Electronics. The [LVS 32] has a wider beam and it's perfect for what I do...I won't upgrade to the [LVS 34] unless I have to.."

[Interesting! 🧐]

How do you break down a new lake in the summer to find the biggest fish?

> "If it's hot...I start in 10-15' of water, find the dirtiest water and the biggest trees. I scan for dots – just little flashes or blinks I can pick off. 

> "If that doesn't work, I head to 20-25' in a main-lake creek channel and look for [suspended] roamers...that's where the biggest fish usually are in the summer.

> "Crappie want to live in 60-75 degree water year-round...so even in 25' of water they may be sitting 8-12' down...just out there roamin'.

> "That's probably my favorite style...but they move real fast...those fish can swim 3.5-4.5 mph and it's hard to keep up. But they're the biggest."

Is a LASER LEVEL the secret to making better casts??

Berkley's soft bait designer Kyle Peterson recently shared some deets about dialing in his live sonar – specifically his transducer – using a laser level. 👀 On land!

He posted a video on his IG about it but we had questions and he was kind enough to give us a few more sneaky tips. So here you go!

Step 1

> "...I put my boat in the water...grab my 6' level...lay it on the front deck... shim it with quarters until it's perfectly level [from front to back and beam to beam]. And then I count quarters under one side. Might sound strange but you'll understand it in the next step...."

Step 2

> "Then I back the boat in the garage and replicate exactly how it sits in the water...fortunately my boat sits pretty level on the water and on the trailer so I didn't have to make a ton of adjustments, but I had to make some....

> "...some boats have a bow that turns down...if that's your boat, you'll have to use a wedge under the trolling motor mounting plate to level the shaft....I can't stress how important it is to get the transducer shaft straight up and down to maximize your signal....

> "If you watch my vid you'll see that my [trolling motor] shaft is perfectly straight up and down...and stays plumb as I turn. Can't just use your eyes to do this...that's why the laser level is key.

> "Then you shoot [the laser level] on the transducer to make sure there's no transducer tilt...I mounted my ActiveTarget 2 transducer on the Fish Obsessed mount. In my opinion, it's the best mount for FFS [why he says that is covered in the video].

> "I use a laser to make sure the transducer is perfect too.... The [Minn Kota] Ultrex QUEST has a flat spot on the shaft which helps it line up great – it's a little more difficult to do on the round shafts. You gotta use a framing square."

Why it matters

> "...the stock [Lowrance] mounts come with an 8-degree kick out so it tips your transducer...so your signal doesn't get blocked by the trolling motor ahead. 8 degrees isn't much at the source but it's a lot 30-50' away from the boat.

> "...for example, if you're looking at a bottom-hugging [fish] in 30', what's being shown on your screen compared to where you're casting up could be 3' off or more...because the cone angle is tilted.

> "...the 0-degree mount...helps me track my bait from the moment it hits the water...all the way down to 30' or more. No need to move the trolling motor to find my bait....

> "...this whole alignment deal probably makes the most difference in dirty water [because] if you're a few feet off they may never see the bait and you lose your shot at catching that fish....

> "...it's all about the details. It really seems to make a difference on the water. My image is really, really good...I make better casts and that generally means catching more fish."

That's a lot of words! The video is easier to understand and the above gives you more details.

Here's Kyle's setup:

Minn Kota Ultrex QUEST trolling motor

Lowrance HDS 16 PRO

Lowrance ActiveTarget 2

Fish Obsessed Mounts

"Y'all ever had crappie sushi?!"

Well have you? 😁 Us neither. That's pro bass fisherman (and slab hunter) Terry "Big Show" Scroggins talking' about eatin' raw slabs-n-rice at a place in San Mateo, FL. Of course he had to try it!

> "I've [had] crappie just about every way possible but last night I had my sushi buddies make up some crappie sushi. Absolutely the best way I've ever eaten it!"

Say what? Better than deep fried?? That would be tough to top, but Terry knows his crappie so it's at least gotta be dang good!

Some of the better comments on that post:

> Is this going to be the new Scroggins Roll at Leo’s?? 😂

> Yea man. I believe ya but I ain’t tryin it! 😂 I’ll stick to frying them SPECKS!

> Austin T. Black: He better take an extra dose of Ivermectin with that! 😂

LOL! 🤣

We couldn't find a great crappie sushi 🍣 recipe but maybe we can convince Adam "Bart" Bartusek and Ryan Pinkala to put one together for Season 5 of The Crappie Chronicles??

Dock-shootin' crappie condos??

Quick deal from Carolina Sportsman talkin' about why crappie pros Mike Parrott and Russ Bailey use tiny jigs with ultra-light line to send a bait right into shady crappie hideouts.

> "Large boat docks and marinas provide year-round habitat for crappie.... Everything these fish need can be found around these big docks: Depth, food and cover....

> "I think these fish even spawn under these docks. All they have to do is move from shallower to deeper as the weather dictates.

> "Crappie don't move around much in ultra-warm water.... So if I don't get a bite at one stall, I can move over to the next stall and it may be covered up with fish."

Mike uses 4-lb test and a 1/64-oz jig and line-watches for the a tick:

> "Dock-shooting is all about seeing the bite. If you wait 'til you feel it, you'll miss a lot of fish....

> "...the jump down to 4-lb was a big deal...that 4-lb high-vis line makes a big difference in seeing bites."

In case you're not a big-time dock shooter:

> "It takes a bit of practice.... You bend the rod over and hold the jig between your thumb and forefinger under the reel. Release the jig and simultaneously release the line, which slingshots the bait forward, parallel to the water, causing it to skip up under the boat or dock or whatever you're shooting at."

Side imaging: All the colors are good – as long as they're blue?

That's the Humminbird whisperer Dr. Jason Halfen talkin' about color palettes for MEGA Side Imaging – but we're guessing what he says should be true for all 3 brands?

He hopped on a podcast with Lindner's Angling Edge's Jeremy Smith. First a little background:

> Our eyes all perceive screens differently. What may appear clear and vibrant to one angler could be difficult to interpret for another....

>...variables such as cloud cover, sun glare and overall brightness can dramatically impact how effectively you interpret your sonar screen.

But a blue color palette is best for:

> ...anglers who want to fine-tune their sonar for maximum detail. Blue palettes offer lower contrast and dimmer tones, allowing anglers to...increase their sensitivity without compromising near-boat clarity. 

> ...blue allows users to crank up the gain or sensitivity on their unit to detect [more detail]...without washing out important structure or bottom detail close to the transducer.

> ...the right balance between enhancing the brightness of faint returns [distant fish]...and preserving the finer points of the sonar image.

> ...all the colors are good – as long as they're blue.

Just saw that Tackle Warehouse has a great sale on Humminbird units:

Helix 10 G4 - 33% off

Hummingbird Helix 15 G4 - 26% off

1 unit left FYI!

Hummingbird Solix 12 G3 - 28% off

MEGA 360 - 38% off

MEGA 360 is THE DEAL! Free shipping on it too. 🔥

Note that the new Humminbird XPLORE units are replacing the Helix units.

1. OK: Slabs are biting on...

> Sardis and Wister: Jigs and minnows around brush structure, points and standing timber.

> Birch, Copan and Texoma: Use live bait and plastics around brush, docks and standing timber.

2. TX: Getcha some "EXCELLENT" crappie fishing on...

> Bob Sandlin: Quality is great, fish the points and timber in 8-30'. Minnows working better than jigs.

> Cypress Springs: Brushpiles are producing well.

> Bois d'Arc: Summer pattern, fish are 15-32' deep. Use hand-tied baits with minnows for best results. Avoid inactive fish.

> Coleman: Fish with minnows in 8-15' under docks at Rattlesnake Cove.

> Naconiche: Fish are in groups of 10-20 in main lake timber. Use white and chartreuse jigs in standing timber.

3. SC: High Rock is on 🔥

Sounds like brushpiles are the absolute deal right now. Here's a little from a post from Carolina Sportsman with Capt Shane Walser:

> "It's not about casting far or covering water, it's about getting your bait right in front of a fish and convincing it to bite.

> "Some days they want plastics, some days you have to break out the live bait. ...if the fish...[are] not committing, I'll tip it with a minnow.

> "If they're not biting [in the piles] it doesn't mean they're not there...you need to change something. If you watch and adjust, you'll figure out what they want."

4. IA: They're catchin' crappies on...

> Center Lake: Good – but some sorting needed.

> East Okoboji: Good – temps are in the upper 70s. Anglers have been catchin' lots of panfish in and around the weeds.

> Brushy Creek: Fair – find crappie near submerged structure in 5-10' along the shorelines.

5. Wally Marhsall says "this reel right here is the cat's meow!"

He's talkin' about the new Mr. Crappie Pro Target 100 spinning reel:

> "...[it has a] carbon drag, carbon frame, 11 ball bearings and [its] smooth as silk – this reel right here is the cat's meow."

>...designed for casting, shooting docks, LiveScope techniques, or trolling with super-light jigs from 1/32-oz....

MSRP $79.99 and you can buy it here.

6. 1.5" Micro Fiction from 6th Sense now on Tackle Warehouse

G'ville guide Matt Adams Fishing has been using this bait all spring and swears by it. Looks real cool under water too!

7. Garmin LiveScope XR is $400 off

That's the LVS62 'ducer with extended range – and it's a beast! 🔥

8. Tom Huynh University is 10% off

If ya don't know yet – THU is a live sonar course that allows ya to compare what you see in your screen to Tom's personal recordings. Tom uses Garmin LiveScope but THU supports all all brands.

9. Win a Old Town kayak with a Minn Kota troller

Minn Kota and Old Town are giving away a Kayak Terrova Trolling Motor and a Sportsman PLD 120 PRO. Details on how to enter at this IG post.

10. Looking for a kayak with a jet drive?

The FluxJet Kayak won ICAST Best of Show this year – beause it has a built-in jet drive and runs off a group 31 battery.

No prop means you can run it over stumps, grass and junk without snaggin' anything. Good for gettin' way back in places you'd never take a pedal or even trolling motor 'yak.

11. MO: New Bass Pro Shops coming to Osage Beach

12. DC: Brian Nesvik is the new USFWS director

Worked at the WY DNR and was also a brigadier general in the Army reserves. Sounds like most folks think he'll do great, but the environmental activists of course don't like him – which probably means they'll sue about some stuff down the road so they'll be stoked about that!

Someone take that man bass fishing...Jamey Caldwell I'm lookin' at you man!

13. Weather forecasting is now done with AI?

Sounds like it's coming to the fishing biz too:

> These AI-based models are using a new method of thinking about storm predictions...[it] will likely make its way into systems that boaters already have on board and use to judge the weather...the AI advancements should ultimately help to make weather forecasting better for everyone.

Do you fish too fast?

Grenada, MS crappie guide Clay Blair jumped on the phone to talk about giant Grenada slabs and dropped some wisdom:

> "The biggest mistake I see is people fishing too fast. 

> "I'm not sayin' you can't or shouldn't fish fast, or that it's wrong... I love to fish fast...I'm a super-aggressive fisherman.. But the difference is knowing when to push forward and when to hang back.

> "...a lot of anglers don't know when do to that. They'll rush through an area without picking up on the key signals that tell you to stay put. It's about paying attention to the details....

> "Fishing around brush for example...don't matter whether it's in 2' or 10' of water. If someone doesn't have sonar and is guessing the depth – say 10-12'...and they're pulling up to a brushpile or a tree and only fishing at 2'...that's a mistake. 

> "You need to probe multiple depths until you locate the fish. You've gotta work every level of the water column...you could have fish at different depths depending on the time of year."

Once you find 'em:

> "...now it's time to work through those details. 

> "Let's say I'm at an underwater stump. I'll drop my bait, try a couple of casts...maybe change colors...switch up the bait to trigger a reaction strike.

> "When I start getting a few bites, that's when I slow down...and that's the key.... It's about recognizing the pattern...slowing down and focusing.

> "Too many anglers miss the pattern, keep fishing fast and before they know it – they've moved off the fish entirely and blown a productive day. 

> "I can fish fast because of experience, but when it's time to hunker down I know when it's time to do that too. There's no point racing across the lake chasing more fish when you're already on them. Patience pays off."

Look at the shoulders on that thang!! 😳 @Mouaoutdoors on FB said it was 16.25" and weighed 3.11! 👀 Couldn't see the bait in the video but looks like he was using a small jig under a slip bobber – nice one dude!

National Professional Anglers Assoc.

MN-FISH