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What's up Target Crappie fam? We're back after a great week in Orlando, FL at ICAST 2025, the fishing tackle trade show. Spent a few days talkin' to folks and checking out a bunch of new stuff!
One thing we noticed: There's a ton of "micro" bass baits coming out that'll definitely be good crappie baits. Heads up – couldn't fit everything this time so we'll have more ICAST stuff next week! Also a reminder: Every single company doesn't go to the ICAST show so this just covers what we saw there.
Check out who we ran into down in FL – guess they just let anyone into these things! Just messin'! 🤣
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Just Wally being Wally! 'Nuff said!
Appreciate you following along with us. If you’re not already following us, catch us on Facebook and Instagram – and if someone forwarded you this, you can sign up here to get Target Crappie sent straight to your inbox EVERY week – and it's FREE!
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If your email program cuts off the bottom of the email click "View this email in your browser" up top to see the whole thing. Sorry about that – email programs keep changing stuff!
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The biggest "problem-solver" at ICAST? 🤔
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Aqua-Vu's "The Captain"
TC’s Brett can’t resist a slick, innovative "problem solver" – and this ain't even his favorite thing (fishing tackle) so you know it’s gotta be special!
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Let’s keep it real – electronics are big now...literally. The screens at your console or on your bow can make you (and other folks) blind to what’s right in front of you. The Captain changes that, giving you clear eyes forward and back so you don’t plow through someone’s net, a stump, or worse.
Basically it's an on the water dash cam, backup cam and security cam. Mount one camera on the bow, another on the stern, and connect them to a display right at your console.
It’s CarPlay and Android Auto compatible too (via Bluetooth), which also means you can put your phone somewhere safe.
- Dual 1080p waterproof wide-angle cameras
- Connects to 12v power
- 30’ waterproof extension cables
- Sealed waterproof connectors
- $699
Also pairs with any Bluetooth portable speaker and will connect to your boat speakers too if you're into that sorta thing.
Worth mentioning: Has Integrated GPS with speed, location and real-time clock display so this deal should cover your back in any on the water "he said/she said" liability disputes.
Thought: If there's not a discount on your boat insurance for having one, there should be! 🤔
It's built for boats but is just as handy on ATVs, sleds, SxS's, etc.
Impressed with the build quality. 100% waterproof and looks like it could take a beating. Records straight to a microSD card with easy playback.
Props to 'em on a truly USEFUL product.
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New slab candy from
Bobby Garland 👀
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This jighead's the deal and we're here for it. One of the more unique things from ICAST 2025. Has twin willow blades that spin 360°, customizable with Slab Ticklers interchangeable blades. Before you could only get it in bigger/ heavier sizes:
> "...can be rigged for long-line trolling, spider-rigging, slip-corking, casting and retrieving, vertical jigging and dock shooting...[the] design allows for constant blade rotation no matter the presentation."
So – basically built to be fished all year long and anywhere crappie swim...except maybe you northern ice-fishing folks, but who knows? 😎
MSRP $6.99 and comes in a 2-pack.
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Everything you need in one grab. You've got classics baits like the Original Baby Shad and some newer stuff too – like the Stroll'R Shad. Plus, it comes with 30 jigheads so it's a solid kit to keep as a backup, in your truck, etc.
What's in the box:
Believe this is exclusive to Academy and it's available now.
MSRP $25.99.
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What's in the kit: 48 soft baits in different colors and 4 jigheads. Comes in a solid tacklebox, ready for crappie and other species too.
More info on colors, etc:
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The lineup looks pretty good! Includes some new versions of some already 🔥 colors: 'monkey milk' -> 'wanted monkey', 'mud dauber' -> 'sweet tea w/ lemon'.
'Thump' also looks like a real good natural color that'll fire 'em up.
New colors aren't out yet but will let you know when we hear.
MSRP: $3.99 for a 20-pack.
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1.25" scaled-down version of the 2.25" Mayfly but has the same solid body, ribbed belly, wings and forked tail.
This was a huge color launch – 18 colors! 😳 Don't have room to cover 'em all this week, MSRP $3.99 for a 20-pack.
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L-R:
- Bayou booger
- Shimmer shad
- Licorice/chart pearl
- Outlaw special mo'glo
- Black gum
- Pink pearl
- Blue ghost mo'glo
Our favorite thing about this bait is it wwims real natural and you can rig it like a normal plastic or flat for a "dying" look. Perfect for chasing those "1s and 2s" (bigger marks) on the screen.
Brand new colors aren't availble (yet) but you can find other colors here. MSRP $3.99 for a 15-pack.
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Top "non-crappie" crappie baits
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A trend in bass fishing right now is going "micro" – like 2" and less. That's our territory! 😁 So these baits are not technically made for crappie, but we know they'll catch slabs so here you go – in no particular order:
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BaitFuel took one of their forward-facing bass plastics and scaled it down. That twin-flap pintail that basically never stops moving, whether you're moving it or not.
Also sounds like it's infused with BaitFuel's X55 Fish Active Scent and leaves a nice scent cloud too. Available in 6 colors. MSRP $3.79, release date is TBD.
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At 3" this is a little bigger but still rigs well on a jighead or a dropshot. Flat top has some handpour vibes. We're told the dimples are there to release more sBaitFuel cent – they call it HexTek.
10 colors, MSRP $5.99, release date TBD.
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Interesting having such a small swimbait with a boot tail. We've seen it on bigger swimbaits. 10 colors, $5.99, we'll let ya know when it comes out. 👍
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Technically a finesse bass bait that fishes like a classic crappie tube. First thing I'd do is trim a tentacle or two on the top and but it's fine right outta the pack. Z-Man's ElaZtech plastic so it's ultra-durable.
5 colors, MSRP $5.99, it's available on TackleWarehouse right now.
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Don't look past micro-craw baits (and bugs) – you know crappie eat whatever they can catch!
Maybe a great option for when they're done with minnows. Works great on a 1/16-oz (or lighter) Ned head.
Slab hammer Dan Langston let us in on his Crappie Masters win on Eufaula earlier this year! Here's a cool deal about cashin' a check and catchin' slabs on this bait if ya wanna know more.
Comes in 16 colors. A few of 'em float, a few are neutrally bouyant, MSRP is $6.99 and you can buy some already.
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Slap it on a jighead and it's another fresh vibe for crappie. The flat bottom gives it a slow, gliding fall which is good! Floating claws kick up naturally mimickin' a craw in defense mode or a bug scramblin' to escape.
Great Lakes Finesse only has matte finish for finicky/pressude fish, and the tentacles hide the hook shank for a more natural look.
19 colors, MSRP $6.99, buy 'em here.
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Now scaled down to 2.25" to fit crappie rigs. The ribbed body pushes water unlike a straight-tail plastic, and that slim bulb tail is hard to keep still. Would be great as a deadsticking bait and under a slip-float too. MSRP is $6.99 and TW has 'em on sale for 57% off right now!
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One of the winningest baits on the pro bass tours is now smaller. It looks like a standard straight-tail crappie bait, but those little "wings" on the tail give it a real nice shimmy at slower speeds – and you can remove 1 or both for a different action.
Doesn't show it real well here but the bait is more square than round and the top/bottom are flat. Made from floatin' TPE plastic and it's real durable.
MSRP $6.49. Not available yet, but Tackle Warehouse has the 3.5" version if you like bigger stuff.
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New XLs and more from the 'Dock Daddy' himself! 😆
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Wally Marshall of course rolled out a few new things at ICAST and says there's 3 big additions to the Mr. Crappie bait line: the Slabalicious XL, the Shadpole XL and his new XL Stiletto jighead.
Looks like the bass guys are going smaller but the main man of crappie is going bigger! 👀 Though for Wally, big baits ain't just seasonal – he's been tossin' XL prototypes year-round to pull the biggest slabs off cover:
> "Big fish hit big baits – you get on a brushpile, that old big bait comes across [the top], and that old big one down inside that brushpile is gonna come out of there. He's gonna come out and test [the bait] for sure...."
1. 2.5" Mr. Crappie Slabalicious XL
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At 2.5" it's 0.5" bigger than the original Slabalicious, with a beefier profile.
No word on when it hits the stores, but MSRP is $4.49 and it comes in 15 colors.
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Wally says the biggest deal on these is the long-shank Mr. Crappie Stiletto Hook (Gamakatsu). That hook sits way back in the plastic and gets fish better when they're just nippin'.
Will come in 4 sizes, 6 colors, MSRP is $8.99.
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This Lew’s Shooter combo was spec'd the Wally Marshall way – hand-picked lengths and actions, and reel specs – all dialed for shooting jigs under docks.
The IM8 graphite rod has a good backbone and soft tip for getting your crappie jigs way back where the big ones hide:
- Microwave Air guides = extra distance.
- Speed Lube + oiled felt drag = buttery-smooth retrieves.
Mr. Crappie Dock Daddy rod/reel combo
Here's why Wallye was rockin' that hat and "Daddy" gear:
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> "...it's for people that don't even own a boat...what I like to do is just walk the dog around those shaded docks with a 6' rod...it has plenty of backbone to flip that fish right up on the dock."
Believe it comes with a size 75 spinning reel, and is built to fish vertical stuff – marinas, piers, and private docks – just don't fish Wally’s, according to his new song lol! 🤣
Hey, you can flip it
You can skip it
You can walk the dog
We talkin' about catchin'
them big old slabs
off them little old logs.
Hey, the Dock Daddy Combo's
as smooth as glass
Don't take long
to go first class.
Hey...get off my dock!
Not sure it'll be on Spotify anytime soon but who knows?? Wallys is one of a kind fo sho and we're stoked he's one of us!
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Our top ICAST "non-baits"
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Brett on the TC crew is especially stoked about this one. Terminal tackle (like the hundreds of jigheads we all have) is always the messiest part of the boat – but this wallet fixes that. Also fixed those jigheads bouncing around in hard plastic boxes and dulling hook points.
Slim binder with 48 clear sleeves made to fit packs of jigheads, hooks, split rings and even plastic bags. Outer shell is stiff nylon so it doesn't flop around or get crushed, and at 13" x 6" x 2" it slides right into a boat compartment (or backpack).
Way easier to flip through this than dig through 5 boxes or a ziplock full of loose packs!
Check out the vid about in on Target Crappie's Instagram here!
Buy it on Tackle Warehouse here.
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Dimpled and built for long spot-on casts, buoyant and tough, water-resistant, and has a wide-mouth grommet to cut down on line friction. It'll be available in 4 sizes (1/8 to 3/4-oz). MSRP $5.99 and comes out Jan 2026.
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Built just for crappie! And tough enough for that surprise blue cat your buddy swears was a 3-lb slab. 😆
3-piece aluminum handle that stretches to 12', Cuda signature "Code Blue" anodized finish, comfy 2-hand grips, and a 12" deep rubber-coated mesh basket that's easy on slime coats.
First slab-specific net from Cuda – feels like they nailed it!
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Slowly releases a scent trail and sounds like it'll come in 6 color options, and. Pairs well with the Crappie Magnet Roo and other baits too.
The Crappie Magnet folks took the time to make a vid explaining it with us, check it out here!
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1. AR: Regional crappie hot spots right now
Central: Catchin' some nice crappie using jigs and minnows in 8-9'.
North: Crappie are slow
Northwest: Beaver Lake crappie are active, with limits caught trolling cranks. Sounds like 2.0 mph with 70-90' of line out.
Northeast: Lake Charles crappie are good in 3-5' of water, biting on crickets or worms.
Southeast: Catching limits of crappie on Cane Creek Lake early in the morning using live bait.
Southwest: Millwood Lake crappie are biting well on pink, chartreuse, white, and red jigs, and 'electric chicken' color, in 15-40' near planted brush.
South-Central: No report
West-Central: Lake Ouachita crappie are good, relating to brush in 15-20', biting on jigs and minnows.
East: White River/AR River (Pool 2) crappie are moving to 8-10' and biting on jigs.
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2. Humminbird XPLORE wins ICAST 2025 award
Their newest unit (which is replacing the Helix units) got "Best in Category" for marine electronics. Been usin' one for months, and lemme tell ya, it's a breeze to operate, the screen's clear as day, and it just gets the job done.
Backordered for a bit, but looks like Tackle Warehouse has 'em in stock now. 😎
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Thought I was looking at another fuzzy dice bass bait when I saw this! 😂
The new Cuda Whacky Bush is exactly that: 65' of 1/2" tubing with a lid and base, ready to sink and turn into a crappie magnet. DIY crappie structure that does not degrade! Starts at $90.
4. New YUM FF Sonar Minnow colors
- Glacier minnow
- Milk shaker
- Shadow shad
- Gold rush
- Pro green pearl
- Smooth
Best part is all 6 colors are available on TW right now! 😍
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When it's hot, hit the river!
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No secret that the crappie bite on lakes slows down when it's real hot out. You can still catch 'em, but you might have to find some current. Here's 5 tips from ACC Crappie Stix pro Jonathan Phillips about why rivers are ideal for fishing during the dog days of summer:
1. Stable conditions
> "As the rain slows...the river fluctuation slows down...[and you] can find them more consistently...[especially] in the dog days of summer."
2. Flow matters
> "...even though there might not be a ton of rain, is there is some kind of flow that comes out of creeks and into the river.... The water may be much warmer at the surface...[but there is] nice, oxygenated water a few feet down.
> "[The flow] fires them up...I can literally go catch fish in 4' of water in 100-degree weather on the river. ...it has something to do with the way the water flows and maybe slightly-stained water."
He also says the temp difference vs the lake could be as much as 10 degrees.
3. Look for hard structure
> "A common denominator, whether shallow or deep, is hard structure. ...I'm looking for standing timber...[like] solid pieces of wood that create a lot of shade and a lot of cover, and create current breaks for them."
4. Techniques
For shallow crappie, he likes a slip cork with a minnow or jig. Jonathan likes a 7' 6" or 8' ACC rod for slip corks, and a 6' 6" for casting.
For strong currents, he likes an ACC jigging rod with a minnow rig and 1/4- or 1/2-oz weight. Says he likes a 15' rod but suggests a 12' or 13' for those new to longer rods.
If the river is more of a rez you can also try dock shooting with ACC casting rods up to 6' 6".
5. Afternoon is key
> "On a normal summer day, they are going to generate some power. ...[late afternoon], the current will really kick on. It's a tale of 2 tapes, like a fish feeder going off at the same time every day."
Jonathan says the current groups 'em up and makes 'em easier to find:
> "They are going to start congregating...[they will] eat for a couple of hours and then head back toward their morning spots. It's an excellent summer pattern."
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Ever see a crappie that looks like this?? 👀 If so you've got a "Magnolia crappie" – a cross between a female white crappie and male black crappie...seen on Mississippisportsman.com:
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