Pro Crappie Fishing on Mississippi's Best Lakes

Published Date: August 19, 2025
Fishing

Mississippi
$550 price range

Summary

Get ready for a full day of Crappie fishing on some of Mississippi's best lakes. We'll spend 6 hours on either Grenada, Sardis, or Enid, targeting those big slabs using techniques like spider rigging, long-lining, and Livescope. The exact method depends on what's working best that season. You don't need to bring any gear – we've got all the rods, reels, and bait covered. Your guide knows these waters inside and out and will be right there with you, offering tips and tricks throughout the trip. This charter is set up for skilled anglers, so expect a focused day of fishing. While we don't provide snacks, feel free to bring your own cooler with food and drinks. It's a great way to spend a day on the water, learning new techniques and hopefully landing some impressive Crappie. Just remember, the deposit is non-refundable, so make sure you're good to go before booking.

Pro Crappie Fishing on Mississippi's Best Lakes

Slab Crappie Action

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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

Mississippi Crappie Fishing: Slabs on Tap

Get ready to pull in some serious slabs on this 6-hour crappie adventure across Mississippi's legendary lakes. We're talking Grenada, Sardis, and Enid – the holy trinity of crappie fishing in the South. Whether you're a seasoned pro or looking to level up your game, our expert guides at Reel Crappie Guides have got you covered. We'll put you on the fish using cutting-edge techniques and local know-how that's been honed over years on these waters. With room for up to 4 anglers, this trip is perfect for a group of buddies or some quality family time chasing paper mouths.

What to Expect on the Water

From the moment you step on board, you're in for a treat. We'll cruise out to the day's hotspots, using our local knowledge and the latest fish-finding tech to put you where the crappie are biting. Depending on the season and what the fish are doing, we might be spider rigging through timber, long-lining over submerged creek channels, or using Livescope to sight-fish suspended slabs. Don't worry if some of these terms are new to you – your guide will break it all down and have you fishing like a pro in no time. We provide all the gear, from rods and reels to the latest in crappie-catching bait, so you can focus on what matters: setting the hook and reeling in some Mississippi monsters.

Techniques That Fill the Livewell

Crappie fishing isn't just about dropping a minnow and hoping for the best. On our trips, you'll get hands-on experience with some seriously effective techniques. Spider rigging is like fishing with a web of rods off the front of the boat – it's a great way to cover water and find active fish. When the bite is on, we might switch to long-lining, trolling a spread of jigs behind the boat to trigger strikes from aggressive crappie. And when conditions are right, we'll break out the Livescope. This game-changing sonar lets us see fish in real-time, turning the lake into an aquarium and letting us target individual slabs. Your guide will teach you the ins and outs of each method, helping you become a more versatile and successful angler.

Species You'll Want to Hook

While we're primarily after crappie on these trips, Mississippi's lakes are full of surprises. Here's a breakdown of what you might find on the end of your line:

Crappie: The star of the show, these "papermouths" are prized for their flaky, sweet meat and the challenge they present. In Mississippi, we're blessed with both black and white crappie, with fish over 2 pounds not uncommon. Spring is prime time when these fish move shallow to spawn, but savvy anglers (like your guide) know how to find them year-round. There's nothing quite like the thump of a slab crappie inhaling your bait.

Channel Catfish: While we're focused on crappie, don't be surprised if you hook into a hard-fighting channel cat. These whiskered warriors can grow to impressive sizes in our lakes, and they're excellent table fare. They're most active in warmer months and put up a great fight on crappie gear.

Blue Catfish: The big boys of the catfish world, blues can grow to monster sizes in Mississippi's lakes. While catching one on crappie tackle is rare, it does happen – and it's a battle you won't soon forget. These behemoths are most active in cooler months and are prized by trophy hunters.

Flathead Catfish: Another catfish you might encounter, flatheads are ambush predators that love structure. They're less common than channels or blues, but hooking one is always a thrill. Known for their excellent eating quality, a flathead is a bonus catch on any crappie trip.

Why Anglers Keep Coming Back

There's a reason our lakes draw anglers from all over the country. The quality of the fishing speaks for itself – where else can you realistically expect to catch a 3-pound crappie? But it's more than just big fish. It's about the experience of being on these historic waters, learning new techniques from guides who live and breathe crappie fishing, and the satisfaction of filling a cooler with tasty fillets. Our trips are designed to be educational as well as productive. Whether you're looking to master a new technique like Livescope fishing or just want to put some slabs in the boat, we've got you covered. And let's not forget the scenery – there's nothing like watching the sun rise over Grenada Lake as you wait for that first bite of the day.

Top Catches This Season

Every season brings its own highlights, but this year has been particularly good to our anglers. We've seen multiple 3-pound-plus crappie come over the gunwales, including a few fish pushing the 4-pound mark. These are true trophy slabs that most anglers only dream about. But it's not just about size – we've had days where clients have limited out before lunch, with coolers full of thick 1.5 to 2-pound fish that make for some of the best eating you'll ever have. Spring has been especially productive, with spider rigging in the flooded timber producing consistent limits of quality fish. As we move into summer, our Livescope skills have been put to the test, resulting in some exciting sight-fishing action for suspended crappie holding on deep structure.

Time to Book Your Spot

If you're itching to get out on the water and experience some of the best crappie fishing Mississippi has to offer, now's the time to lock in your trip. Our calendar fills up fast, especially during peak seasons like the spring spawn. Remember, we can accommodate up to 4 anglers, making this a perfect outing for a group of friends or a family looking to make some memories on the water. All the gear is provided, so all you need to bring is your sense of adventure (and maybe a cooler for your catch and some snacks). Don't forget, deposits are non-refundable, so make sure you're ready to commit to a day of world-class crappie action. Whether you're a local looking to up your game or an out-of-stater hoping to tangle with some famous Mississippi slabs, we've got the knowledge, the gear, and the spots to make it happen. Book now, and get ready to experience crappie fishing like never before with Reel Crappie Guides!

Learn more about the animals

Blue Catfish

Blue cats are the giants of Mississippi's catfish, often reaching 20-30 pounds with some topping 100. They inhabit the deep channels and holes in our major lakes like Grenada and Sardis. Blues are most active in cooler months, especially fall and early spring. Anglers target them for the thrill of landing a true monster and their firm, white meat. To catch one, use fresh cut bait like shad or skipjack on a heavy-duty setup. Fish deep, often 30-50 feet down, near drop-offs or river channels. A local tip: use circle hooks to improve hookups and make releasing easier if you're not keeping them. Blues put up an impressive fight, so be ready for a battle. They're opportunistic feeders, so let your bait sit on the bottom and be patient. Night fishing can be particularly productive. If you land a big one, you'll have bragging rights and plenty of fillets to share.

Channel Catfish

Channel cats are common gamefish in Mississippi's lakes, typically weighing 2-4 pounds but can grow much larger. They prefer deeper, cooler waters near structure like logs or rocks. Spring and fall are prime seasons, as they become more active feeding. Anglers love targeting them for their strong fight and excellent table fare. To catch one, try fishing near the bottom with stinkbait, cut bait, or nightcrawlers. A local trick is to use cheese-based bait, as the amino acids attract cats from a distance. Be careful handling them – their sharp fins can give a nasty cut if you're not watching. Channel cats have soft, tasty meat that's great fried up. Look for them in Grenada, Sardis, or Enid lakes, especially in deeper holes or near creek mouths. Patient anglers willing to wait out a bite are often rewarded with a good-sized cat to take home for dinner.

Crappie

Crappie are the stars of Mississippi fishing, especially in Grenada, Sardis, and Enid lakes. These tasty panfish typically run 10-14 inches and 3/4 to 1 1/2 pounds, with trophy "slabs" pushing 3 pounds. They school up around brush piles, stumps, and creek channels. Spring is prime time when they move shallow to spawn, but fall can be excellent too. Anglers love crappie for their delicate, flaky meat and the fun of catching a mess of them. To land some, try spider rigging with minnows or jigs around structure. A local tip: use your electronics to find submerged brush piles, then work them thoroughly. In cooler months, look for crappie suspending over deeper water. These fish put up a good fight on light tackle, and it's a blast when you get into a big school. Nothing beats a fresh crappie fry after a good day on the water. Whether you're after numbers or trophy slabs, our lakes offer some of the best crappie fishing you'll find anywhere.

Flathead Catfish

Flatheads are the bruisers of Mississippi catfish, often weighing 20-40 pounds with some monsters pushing 80. They love deep, slow-moving water with plenty of cover like logs or rocky ledges. You'll find them in the deeper sections of Grenada, Sardis, and Enid lakes. Summer nights are prime time for flatheads, as they come out to hunt. Anglers target them for the challenge and their sweet, firm meat that's less "muddy" tasting than other cats. To land one, use live bait like bluegill or shad – flatheads prefer their meals kicking. A local trick is to fish near underwater timber or steep drop-offs where they ambush prey. Be ready for a serious fight; these fish are strong and ornery. Use heavy gear and be patient. Flatheads aren't as numerous as other cats, but the payoff of landing a big one makes the wait worthwhile. It's a rush when that rod nearly doubles over with a massive flathead on the line.

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

Ready to chase some slab Crappie? Hop aboard our specialized fishing boat for a 6-hour adventure on one of Mississippi's premier lakes—Grenada, Sardis, or Enid. We've got room for up to 4 anglers to join in on the action. Our local guide knows these waters like the back of their hand and will put you on the fish using proven techniques like spider rigging, long-lining, and Livescope. Don't worry about gear—we've got all the rods, reels, and bait you'll need to land some big ones. Throughout the trip, you'll get hands-on instruction to sharpen your skills. While we don't provide snacks, feel free to bring a cooler with your favorite drinks and munchies. Whether you're a seasoned pro or looking to level up your Crappie game, this trip is tailored for those who take their fishing seriously. Just remember, deposits are non-refundable, so come ready to make some memories on the water!

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