However, a special thanks goes to pro anglers and fishing educators Ronnie Capps, Russ Bailey, Kyle Schoenherr and Brian Brosdahl, as well as to T.J.
Crappie experts from across the country and the Fishhound staff contributed to the creation of this year’s Top 50 and Top 10 crappie lists. But, more years than not, Fishhound’s top 10 would be among the betting man’s choices. Yes, singular waters in other regions have earned their world-class reputations, and, in peak years, might even get the edge against one or more of the waters on the Fishhound Top 10 list. In fact, both these states feature waters that could have replaced several of the leaders on Fishhound’s list with a coin toss! But where is the absolute best fishing for tasty, sporty and, yes, often challenging species? Both the catch records and the experts place the top crappie waters in almost two parallel regions – 1) the reservoirs along the “I-55 Crappie Corridor,” stretching from Tennessee’s Reelfoot Lake down to deep into the state of Mississippi, and 2) the many outstanding waters of Alabama, along the Alabama, Tennessee, Coosa and Chatooga rivers. Just consider: Lake of the Woods slabs at the Canadian border top Minnesota fisheries like Bowstring, Leech and Winnibigoshish the fabled Santee Cooper crappie fishery the superb speck fishing along Florida’s St. Crappie are fan favorites because they’re abundant and widespread…and you can find specimens in waters north and south. But when it comes to earnest everyday angling pursuit, crappie rank number one across most of America. Bass generate excitement and drive development in the tackle industry. LOS ANGELES, Calif., – The sunfish family rules in North America! Bluegill are beloved – the “first fish” that delivered most of us to our beloved sport.