Catching crappie in the spring is as sure a thing to some as the return of the sandhill cranes. These scrappy fighting fish ...

Let’s start with the ultralight rod. The best crappie rods are ones that are super flexible, allowing you to not only detect the lightest bites, but also allow you to work the tiniest finesse baits.

For many crappie fishermen, the only good thing about autumn is hunting season. They use cold fronts, reservoir drawdowns, and lethargic fish as excuses to trade their rods for bows or rifles.