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Hey folks! Coming at ya this week with some spring fishing tips and some sweet new tech we saw at the 2026 Bassmaster Classic!

Cool thing about this tech – it's more of a 'concept' that's added onto existing FFS to really help you learn it better. And even though it got rolled out at the Bassmaster, still tons of crappie application with it all (which I'll get into)!

'Nuff said, let's dive in!

First look at the new Garmin and Lowrance stuff

Three of us (Target Crappie, BassBlaster, Target Walleye) got on-the-water demos of the new Lowrance Live 360 and the new Garmin 360 + SpyPole. Quick deal before we dive in:

- Below are our combined impressions.

- We all know Humminbird, some Garmin LiveScope, and a little Lowrance.

- There was A BUNCH to absorb – 2 different brands, 2 similar concepts but very different tech. Definitely easier to learn if you are real familair with one brand. Apologies if I get anything wrong or leave something out.

- Gonna cover what I can here – could dang near write a 10-pager on each of these!

Garmin

A few quick deets from BassBlaster on Garmin's new Spy Pole – a turret system that links up with your Garmin graphs, the touch-screen models:

- SpyLink – Anchor lock and then independent control of LiveScope. Move Scope with the toller foot pedal while locked.

- SpyLock – Lock on a waypoint with FFS – If you see a fish and need to slow down or turn, can you lock onto that target, reposition the boat and never lose the target? If so that's huge. We don't know the answer – thought about it after we got off the water.

Man, that would be a BIG DEAL for the for us folks that like to chase roaming fish and schools, especially if you don't have brakes.

- SpyScan – Scope scans back and forth automatically on manually a set range

- True Motion Technology – You can make a 360 scan and drive onto or around that 360 map. It stores about 1 football field of data. Maybe more of a bass thing, but if you wanna keep track of certain targets....

That means you can capture your 360 scan instead of it constantly refreshing. Like Humminbird, Garmin 360 makes 1 revolution or you can set a certain scan range if you just want a piece of the pie.

- You need a Force troller to make this all work, plus the new SpyPole and new GT360 tranny. It will work with the Kraken troller, but won't mount on it.

- It comes with a "gesture remote" you can put on your rod or a lanyard to control some things with.

The coolest deal?

For me, at least – this new overlay if you have the GT360 and an LVS34. Kinda a tie-in between seeing all that stuff working together – you know exactly where your FFS is pointing and what's there:

If you can see in the pic, that's a traditional LiveScope image overlayed on a slightly flattened 360 snapshot – gives you a 3D-ish view of everything around you on a given 360 capture.

Just some neat things that take that learning curve way down!

More info

Bassmaster Elite pro Jason Christie video talking about it.

Garmin intro to it all (YT vid).

Some real good videos on the Garmin Training YT channel.

Lowrance

Lowrance gets Live 360 from 2 180 ActiveTarget XL trannies.

Coolest thing we saw in the demo was the ability to have Live 180/Scout and the regular/Forward FFS view on 1 screen. Thought Lowrance was the first to do it but heard guys saying you can do it with 2 Garmin 'ducers. And in our demo we saw zero interference:

No interference because of what the Lowrance folks call Ping Sync – precisely timed sonar pings when paired...for that reason.

I've said it once and I'll say it again: I think live Perspective view is one of the most underutilized things in crappie fishing. If you have it set right, you can see suspended crappie on it. Exhibit A is in this YouTube video.

Few notes:

- No tools to switch the transducer angle = big. If you’re going to make something multi-purpose, it has to be ultra-easy to switch between the purposes. 

- The XL tranny apparently uses a different frequency, so fish and I think baits look a little smaller. Something to know and get used to.

More info

A bunch of good, short videos are on Lowrance YT.

The Revolution Sonar FFS Aiming System is sick!

Quick rundown on what the Revolution Sonar is – a motorized electronic module for your FFS 'ducer that mounts to your trolling motor shaft, controlled by its own foot pedal, that can turn independently or in sync with your trolling motor steering. More info on it here in a BassBaster from the end of '23.

Now Revolution has come out with the Aiming System.

Biggest thing for me here is brushpiles and fishing cover, especially when you have clients or family in the boat. Or even for yourself!

Since the transducer is independent of the trolling motor, you can Spot-Lock on a brushpile, tree, stakebed, etc and not have to have it perfectly positioned straight in front of the boat. People can cast off to the side or back or wherever. Could work the same if you're fishing a big school on a dock, too.

Personally, I've been out with clients plenty of times and had too many folks to cast off the front so I have to set the boat up next to a brushpile, which is hard because you have to stay there and also watch jigs – and folks wanna see their bait and also don't really know exactly where the trolling motor is pointing.

With that big Revolution light up on the deck, they'd know!

Another deal is long-poling. That big bright visual aid is definitely something to help you keep in mind where that fish is when you're factoring in wind, moving fish, sonar beam....

Anyways, before I get more long-winded, there's a whole lot for crappie fishermen in it.

Here's a 15-minute YT vid from BassBlaster where the owner, Ron Bird, runs through just about everything. If you're a FFS guy or just a tech and machining guy, definitely worth watching it all.

Spawning area breakdown

In the South we're in the heart of the spawn right now! Fish are in all 3 phases here in TX so – plenty of time to get on a good bank bite! 

Came across this Lurenet.com post with Crappie University prez Gary Dollahon breaking down 3 spawning areas and how to fish 'em right now:

Spawning banks

> ...fish spawning banks – not necessarily hitting specific pieces of cover but fishing flats with hard bottoms in protected areas, riprap banks or other areas where crappie spawn. Whether they are feeding up just prior to the spawn or protecting nests, these fish tend to be aggressive.

> [Gary] likes to cast baits and swim them through these areas, and likes a bait that has a swimming tail to imitate a baitfish and get the fish’s attention...a Bobby Garland Stroll’R, Swimming Minnow, Hyper Grub and Slab Hunt’R, with the Hyper Grub getting the bid for the clearest water and the Slab Hunt’R for the dirty water.

> ...favors bright colors for this situation...'cajun cricket', 'bluegrass' and 'green lantern'....

Docks

> ...fish will spawn on parts of the docks, including floats and the dock framework, but docks also provide critical cover for big female crappie that are staging just outside of bedding areas.

> For dock fish, Dollahon typically turns to Bobby Garland Itty Bit Series baits, especially the Itty Bit Slab Slay’R, which he can drop straight down, with good control of the presentation.

> Itty Bit baits match natural forage around docks, including insects and small minnows. That’s especially true in the morning because both minnows and insects tend to congregate in dock lights overnight.

Nesting cover

> If Gary is in an area that has brush or other cover that he expects the crappie to spawn on, he’ll target the spawners and nest-guarders directly by dipping a bait in the "heart of the cover"...precise placement and control of the presentation results in far more fish.

> [Gary's] bait of choice is a 3" Slab Slay’R. It’s a large bait that the fish can find and will react to close to cover, and its straight tail design aids the precision that is important for the best results.

> He wants plenty of color for this presentation...'electric chicken' as an excellent choice.

There ya go! Time to get the spawn on!

Where fish go in a sea of timber

Here's a quick tidbit from a Crappie Master's YouTube video with big fish hunter Josh Jones talkin' how to find crappie fast on lakes that have tons of timber (or any kind of cover for that matter):

> "It all looks the exact same. In this situation, we're fishing this [timber] edge, [and] that's an open water [over there].

> "There's a boat lane, and there's timber – we're just staying along these edges the whole time. Those fish feed out in the middle of this open water, and they'll come and stick on the first piece of cover they find.

> "Fishing something unique, like edges, or if there are random trees that don't look like they really belong – that's a good spot to hold fish."

Btw, that vid was shot on Lake Fork, TX...might want to keep that info in mind if you're headed to CRAPPIEFEST this weekend!

Ever seen a dock school like this? 👀

Check out this YUGE school of crappie under a floating dock posted by Humminbird and fish-head Rick Fishback. Dang! Not every day you come across something like that!

Rick is peeping those fish with his Humminbird MEGA Live 2 and the Humminbird XPLORE 12. That's a sick color palette too, called 'spring craw."

Btw, today is the LAST DAY to catch the big Humminbird/ Minn Kota Season Opener sale – it's nationwide, including at Tackle Warehouse – Minn Kota here and Humminbird here:

1. The line survey/Turtle Box giveaway is still on!

Last week to enter! Just click here to answer 4 quick questions about your line choices for crappie. Shouldn't take more than a couple minutes! 

Totally free to fill out and enter, no strings attached. As a thank you for filling it out, 1 person who completes the survey will be randomly chosen to get this Original Gen3 Turtlebox ($430 value)! 

If you are the random winner, we will reach out to you directly. Thank you!

2. How Matthew Rogers is rigging the Bonehead Brush Glider

Cool vid from the Bonehead Tackle Facebook with MO pro Matthew Rogers showing you how he rigs the Bonheads Brush Glider a couple ways depending on the scenario.

Check that Brush Glider out here on the Tackle Warehouse for $3.99. Because...Bonehead Tackle is on Tackle Warehouse now!

3. CRAPPIEFEST happening THIS WEEKEND on Fork!

Still got a chance to sign up and win big! I'll see ya there!

4. Have you used the BaitFuel Nano Duster yet?

That's the new-ish 🧃-y lookin' Nano Duster with a prop-style tail to give off a tighter high-frequency vibe.

Gives you that classic minnow shape with a vibe action that barely gets that tail kicking when you're swimming it or letting it pendulum – could be a sweet deal for docks! 👀

Check 'em out here on Tackle Warehouse!

5. MO: $50K on the line on LOZ at the Crappie Challenge

The Crappie Challenge is going down this weekend Mar 28-29 with $50,000 going to the angler who weighs the biggest crappie, plus over $130K total payouts.

6. TX/LA: Toledo's shaping up to be lights out for slabs

From an LA Sportsman post:

> We expect crappie to be either spawning or post-spawn from the bank out to 20', and there’s no sign of it slowing down. Both grass and wood are producing fish, with 'monkey milk' and 'chartreuse/blue' plastics or shiners working best.

7. LA: Pitch trees for shallow spawners on D’Arbonne

From another LA sportsman post:

> Target cypress trees, stumps, and laydowns in 2-5' of water by pitching 1/32-oz jigs tight to the structure and letting it fall naturally – most bites come on the drop.

8. MD: Crappie on cover "like glue"

> Crappie are holding tight to submerged structure like brush, wood and docks – fish small minnows or marabou jigs under a bobber, or spider rig multiple rods while slowly drifting near cover.

9. KY/TN: Big slabs expected on Kentucky/ Barkley

> Both lakes are expected to have strong crappie fishing this spring thanks to multiple strong spawn years, with a mix of big fish and numbers showing up.

> Expect plenty of quality whites, especially with Barkley likely producing even better overall numbers.

10. AR: Crappie bite going down on...

> Millwood: Crappie have greatly improved over the past week with warmer water temps. We’re catching them in 5-12' on jigs, with a lot still holding on brush in that 10-11' range. Starting to see more fish moving into cypress trees in 4-6'.

> Little Maumelle River: Crappie are biting shallow in about 3'. They’re being caught on minnows and jigs ('blue/white' and 'red/chartreuse'), and the fish are decent size with smaller males up shallower.

> Harris Brake Lake: Crappie are shallow and about to spawn, biting minnows right now. Water is still low but fish are moving up.

> Lake Overcup: Crappie are starting to pick up in 5-6' of water, but haven’t fully moved to the bank yet.

> Bull Shoals: Crappie are scattered through the creeks with a lot of smaller fish on brushpiles in 15-20'.

11. New Berkley Lab Series baits

Mainly a bass deal, and one of these new baits just won the Bassmaster Classic!

Deal is it's a new formula from Berkley that combines their PowerBait and MaxScent and a new scent powder coat – MaxScent Rapid Release Slime. Sweet deal in a few different baits! Hopefully, they scale it to some slab baits!

But why do I mention these "bass baits" in here? Because pro-basser Jordan Hirt got a 3-lber – on the 5.25" size Minnow!!!

Also: Who's to say you couldn't cut 'em up into slab-size baits? 🤔

Little spendier at $14.99/ pack and also not for sale yet...but they're already getting quite the resume! 😁

12. Great Lakes Finesse rolls out new bait bag storage system

Built to be tough, water-resistant, and easy to organize on the water. They’ve got a clear top window so you can quickly see what’s inside, plus a Velcro divider system to customize how you store plastics and terminal gear.

They’re also designed to stack and fit standard tackle storage setups, so they slide right into boat compartments or bags without wasting space. MSRP is $45.99 (medium) and $47.99 (large) on Tackle Warehouse.

13. New Seaguar No Limits Fishing game has good prizes!

A digital match two promotion. Register and play once a week, runs through the end of Jun. If you match 2 Seaguar boxes you win.

Good prizes: Each week they're giving away $1,000 and there's 50 No Limits Prize Packages (line and lures). I think there's a chance at $100,000??

Superglue + ElaZtech = no fingers hurt dock shooting cheat code!

Here's a tidbit from a Z-Man post talkin' how a dab of superglue paired with their stretchy, no-tear ElaZtech can getcha up under docks easy without that hook catching on your fingers:

> Dock shooting exposes your fingers to the hookpoint as the jig fires forward. Hooks in fingers hurt and cut into valuable fishing time.

> Try this sneaky solution instead: First, create a permanent dock-shooting missile by adding a dab of Loctite Gel Control glue to the base of a Micro Finesse ShroomZ [jighead] or Micro Shad HeadZ jighead before snugging the bait tight to the collar. (We suggest trying it with a Tiny TicklerZ, Micro GOAT or Baby BallerZ.)

> Give the glue a minute to dry and then, fire away! Pinch the tail of the stretchy yet resilient Micro Finesse bait, rather than the hook or jighead, to guarantee a safe under-dock shot, propelling the bait forward like an arrow.

> The stretch-but-don’t-break nature of ElaZtech acts like a sling, adding extra casting distance while keeping your digits well out of harm’s way.

Cool deal!

"People always ask me, ‘Wally, does that high-vis line spook the fish?’ Yeah, I got about 400 fish in my freezer that are spooked to death!"

- 🤣 The one and only Wally 'Mr. Crappie' Marshall talkin' about using high-vis line for crappie. So don't be afraid to throw that lime green mono!

Check out this 3.6-lb BEAST caught on Mar 20 at Mountwood Park, WV, posted on the Mountwood Park Facebook. They didn't say who this feller is, but they did say it was 3.6 lbs and 17.78". Congrats on a monster catch dude!

National Professional Anglers Assoc.

MN-FISH