Expert-Guided Crappie Fishing on Mississippi Lakes

Published Date: July 16, 2025
Fishing

Mississippi
$550 price range

Summary

Ready to reel in some crappie? Join Reel Crappie Guides for a relaxed day on the water in beautiful Mississippi. This trip is perfect for beginners or those looking to sharpen their skills, with room for two anglers. Your experienced guide will show you the ropes, from finding the best spots to using the right techniques for these tasty panfish. You'll cruise the lake in a comfortable boat, equipped with all the gear you need. Whether you're after a hefty slab or just want to enjoy a peaceful day fishing, this trip delivers. Your guide knows these waters like the back of their hand and will work hard to put you on fish. By the end of the day, you'll have picked up new skills and hopefully landed some impressive crappie. It's a great way to spend time outdoors and maybe even bring home dinner. Remember, deposits are non-refundable, so check out the Trips & Rates page for all the details before booking your crappie adventure.

Expert-Guided Crappie Fishing on Mississippi Lakes

Crappie Catch of the Day

null

Family fun! Crappie with Reel Crappie Guides

10 big fish caught while fishing in Gore Springs

Strong! Big Crappie day in Mississippi

Loaded! Mississippi slab Crappie coolers packed

Crappie Fishing Made Easy in Mississippi

Ready to reel in some slab crappie without the hassle? Our beginner-friendly guided trip on Mississippi's prime fishing waters is your ticket to a relaxed day of angling action. Whether you're new to fishing or just looking to hone your crappie skills, we've got you covered with all the gear, know-how, and secret spots to make your outing a success. Grab a buddy and join us for a laid-back adventure where you'll learn the ropes, swap fish stories, and hopefully land a few photo-worthy catches.

What to Expect on the Water

Picture this: You're cruising across glassy Mississippi waters at dawn, rod in hand, ready to outsmart some of the tastiest fish in the South. Our seasoned guides know these waters like the back of their hand, and they're itching to share their local knowledge with you. We'll hit up proven crappie hotspots, from submerged timber to brush piles, using tried-and-true techniques that even first-timers can master. Don't worry about bringing a thing – we've got all the gear you need, from rods and reels to live bait and lures. And with room for just two guests, you'll get plenty of one-on-one coaching to fine-tune your technique.

Crappie Catching 101

Forget about complicated setups or fancy gear. We keep things simple and effective when it comes to crappie fishing. You'll learn the art of vertical jigging, which is just a fancy way of saying "dropping your bait straight down." We'll show you how to use lightweight jigs and minnows to entice those crappie hiding in underwater structure. If the bite is slow, we might switch it up with some trolling or casting towards the bank. As the day goes on, you'll get the hang of detecting those subtle bites and setting the hook just right. Before you know it, you'll be pulling in crappie like a pro and maybe even giving your guide a run for their money!

Species You'll Want to Hook

Crappie might be our main target, but Mississippi waters are teeming with other gamefish that might decide to crash the party. Here's what you might find at the end of your line:

Crappie: These pan-sized powerhouses are the stars of the show. Known for their paper-thin mouths and tasty white flesh, crappie put up a fun fight on light tackle. They school up in cooler months, making for some fast-paced action when you find them. Spring is prime time when they move to shallow water to spawn, but we can track them down year-round.

Channel Catfish: Don't be surprised if you hook into one of these whiskered bottom-feeders. Channel cats are abundant in Mississippi and can grow to respectable sizes. They're not picky eaters, so your crappie bait might tempt them too. If you land one, get ready for a stubborn fight – these guys don't give up easily!

Blue Catfish: The big daddy of Mississippi catfish, blues can grow to monster sizes. While we're not specifically targeting them, hooking into a big blue can turn your crappie trip into an epic battle. They're most active in warmer months and put up a heck of a fight on lighter tackle.

Flathead Catfish: These ambush predators are the least common catfish you might encounter, but they're a prized catch. Flatheads prefer live bait and tend to hang out near submerged logs or deep holes. If you're lucky enough to hook one, hold on tight – they've got some serious pulling power!

Why Anglers Keep Coming Back

Sure, the fishing's great, but it's the whole package that keeps folks coming back for more. There's something special about being out on Mississippi waters as the sun comes up, with a hot thermos of coffee and good company. Our guides aren't just fish-finders – they're local characters with plenty of stories to share and a knack for making everyone feel at ease. By the end of the day, you'll have picked up new skills, shared some laughs, and hopefully have a cooler full of crappie to show for it. Plus, there's nothing quite like the satisfaction of frying up your own catch for dinner.

Time to Book Your Spot

If you're itching to get out on the water and try your hand at crappie fishing, now's the time to lock in your spot. With just two seats available per trip, these outings tend to fill up fast, especially during peak seasons. Whether you're looking to learn the basics, improve your technique, or just enjoy a relaxing day on the lake, we've got you covered. Don't forget – even if the fish aren't biting (which is rare around here), you're guaranteed a good time and some new fishing knowledge to take home. So grab a friend, clear your calendar, and let's go catch some Mississippi slabs!

Learn more about the species

Blue Catfish

Blue catfish are the largest cats in North America, commonly reaching 25-40 pounds but sometimes topping 100. Look for them in deep holes in rivers and reservoirs. They like moving water and will often hang out near channel edges or drop-offs. Blues are opportunistic feeders and will eat just about anything. For big ones, try using fresh cut bait like shad or herring. Let it sink to the bottom and be patient - when you feel a few taps, that's your cue to set the hook hard. These bruisers put up an awesome fight. The meat is mild and flaky, great for frying. A good local spot is where a creek flows into the main river - the blues stack up there to ambush bait.

Channel Catfish

Channel catfish are popular gamefish that grow to about 10-20 pounds on average. You'll find them in lakes, rivers, and reservoirs, often near cover like logs or rocky areas. They're most active at night, so early mornings or evenings are prime time. Cats put up a good fight and make excellent table fare. To catch them, try fishing near the bottom with cut bait, stinkbait, or nightcrawlers. A local trick is to use cheese-based dough bait - the amino acids really attract them. Catfish have poor eyesight but an incredible sense of smell, so smelly baits work best. Just watch out for those sharp spines when you're handling them!

Crappie

Crappie are fun to catch and great eating. We have both black and white crappie here, usually 8-12 inches long. Look for them around brushpiles, fallen trees, and other cover in 5-15 feet of water. Spring is prime time when they move shallow to spawn. Use light tackle and small jigs or live minnows. Crappie have soft mouths, so set the hook gently. They often school up, so when you catch one, there are usually more nearby. The meat is sweet and flaky - perfect for a fish fry. A local trick is to use a slip bobber to suspend your bait at the right depth. Once you find the right depth, you can really fill a stringer fast.

Flathead Catfish

Flathead catfish are ambush predators that can grow huge - 50+ pounders aren't uncommon. You'll find them in rivers and reservoirs, usually near deep structure like logs or rock piles. They're most active at night in summer. Flatheads are picky eaters and prefer live bait like bluegill or shad. Use heavy tackle and fish near the bottom. When a flathead bites, it'll feel like you're snagged until the fish starts to run. Be ready for a battle - these are some of the hardest fighting freshwater fish. The meat is considered the best of all catfish species. For trophy cats, try fishing the deep bends in the river where it undercuts the bank. That's where the monsters hide.

About the Reel Crappie Guides

Vehicle Guest Capacity: 4

Manufacturer Name: Mercury Marine

Maximum Cruising Speed: 40

Number of Engines: 1

Horsepower per Engine: 250

Set sail on the serene waters of Mississippi for a laid-back crappie fishing adventure tailored to newcomers. Your experienced guide will lead you to prime spots where these popular panfish are biting, sharing tips and tricks to help you land your first catch. The calm lake environment provides the perfect setting to learn the basics of crappie fishing, from bait selection to proper casting techniques. With room for two guests, this trip offers personalized attention and a chance to bond over the simple joys of angling. Whether you're looking to pick up a new hobby or just enjoy a peaceful day on the water, this guided experience provides all the essentials for a fun and rewarding introduction to crappie fishing in the heart of Mississippi.

Sitemap