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 thenI’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 they are awesome to eat on top of it all!

Recently, my buddyRichardtexted 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 that I was one of the only ones who was dumb enough to say yes! SoChop, Richardand I took off in search of crappie in the heat. Nowthat is not an easy thing to do. Unlike bass or a few other species, crappie seem to get lock jaw and get 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 currently find on Facebook and over at Sugar Creek Marina.

This was the first time I had ever seen his baits and his setup, but it won’t be the last! Chop is filling a niche market right now with well-made, small baits that convince these crappie to eat. It’s an interesting bait that is molded very well with a tough plastic that will last numerous fish. A big plus in today’s market.

Richard, the crappie master that 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 87 or 88, the fish were easier to catch. We hit shallow brush piles, sticksand structure that evening, and these guys taught me several things. First was that crappie fishing has changed greatly (which I knew) through Livescope but it actually made it 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 with (like a 7-foot-3-inch St Croix panfish medium light) and a 14 to 16 foot 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 Masters course. Livescope if, and whenit 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!

— Outdoors columnist James Pressley can be reached at jameskpressley@gmail.com