You might not see a lot of crappie-shaped logos on hats or stickers on trucks. You won’t see crappie tournaments on TV, although they do exist. Slabs may never capture the imaginations of all serious anglers anywhere muskie, bass, trout, walleye, or other large and charismatic fishes swim—but that can work to your advantage. Crappies may be overlooked as a sportfish, but they’re not as tablefare.
Jesse Griffiths, owner of the popular Dai Due...

Justin Stuller is well on his way to some kind of Floridian grand slam. After enduring a nasty alligator bite a decade ago, he was bitten by a large lemon shark earlier this month. What comes after that? Barracuda? Burmese python? Wild boar?
Stuller, guide and owner of Estero River Outfitters, took his family down to the Keys for a short lobster season. On the second day, right after they reached their lobster limit, he noticed a hogfish with its...

There’s often one guy or gal in a group who puts twice as many fish in the boat as anyone else. Through a combination of skill, ambition, networking, and maybe a little luck, some of these talented folks reach the point where they get to fish for a living. But it usually started with working hard to catch fish, especially when the conditions aren’t ideal.
Mediocre anglers, however, are notorious for making excuses. Explanations used to justify a...

I’ve never met an angler that wasn’t full of theories. In fact, the conversation during many fishing trips is often nothing but theories expanded upon as the day goes on. If the bass are hammering your lure, you’ll craft countless theories as to why, all aimed at making yourself look like the smartest guy on the boat when it comes to bait selection. You’ve probably said something like, “Man, the way they’re chewing this root beer grub, they must...

Experience alone won’t guarantee hunters and anglers safe passage on troubled waters, no matter how big your boat.
In fact, confidence can kill you.
Consider Ernest McSorley, who was 63 and commanded 10 ships during 40-plus years at sea and on the Great Lakes. And Edward John Smith, who was 62 and commanded ships for 27 of his 40 years at sea.
Both men were well-seasoned mariners who went down with their ships; Captain McSorley while commanding...

Earlier this year, Pat Durkin enlightened us on the art of human catch and release. If you’re looking for poetics about how anglers so often get hooks in places they don’t belong, go read his article. But if your stomach can handle it, stick around here for 12 pictures from our fellow impaled MeatEaters. Be warned: You’re about to see some messed up stuff.
“First cast after shore lunch I hook into a 40-inch pike. As I...