My grandfather as well is the reason I love the outdoors so much. He used to take me fishing in the Big Sandy area of Kentucky Lake. He always fished a Kentucky Rig with two minnows. Don't know how many times I'd watch him bring up two big old slabs at a time. He'd get all excited like a kid, start giggling and throw out a marker bouy.

I shyed away from panfishing from my teens up until about three years ago. I primarily bass fished with a little musky fishing mixed in. Something in me has changed now though, I'd much rather be spider-rigging for Crappie! I very seldom bass fish anymore and haven't thrown a big plug at a Musky in some time.

I go back to the Big Sandy area two to three times each spring. The fishing is still good there, but the memories I have of my grandfather make the trip.

I'm just a crappie fisherman now thanks to him, and that's a good thing.