SPARTANBURG, S.C. - Crappie University, a classroom-style educational
program dedicated to teaching anglers of all ages and skill levels how to catch the popular
panfish year-round, is scheduled to begin next week in Spartanburg.
The course is offered as part of Spartanburg Community College's (SCC) continuing
education program and consists of four nights, each taught by different instructors over a
two-hour period. Class dates are Feb. 15, 20, 27 and March 6; class times are 7:30 - 9:30
p.m.
The enrollment fee of $89 per person includes all four classes. Registration is open and
online enrollment can be accessed through the CrappieUniversity.com website, or by calling
SCC at (864) 592-4900.
All of the instructors have vast crappie-catching expertise and their respective topics are
beneficial to every crappie angler who lives and fishes in and around South Carolina.
Stokes McClellan kicks-off the first night with his class titled "Keeping Track of Your Baits to
Maximize Catching." McClellan has years of crappie-fishing experience in the Carolinas and
attributes his success to being able to keep his baits in the active strike zone, and it's those
tips he will be sharing.
The Feb. 20 class, "Thinking Small for Big Crappie - Adjust to the Bite," is taught by Jordan
Newsome. Newsome will share his proven techniques for knowing how and when to make
adjustments as crappie patterns change throughout the day and seasons.
Troy Basso is teaching the third class, "The 3 Ws of Long-Line Trolling - Why, When and
Where." Basso's knowledge on crappie comes from a lifetime of fishing for and writing about
the species.
Noted area outdoorsman Phillip Gentry, from Taylors, S.C., instructs the March 6 final class.
Gentry is an outdoor writer and host of Upstate Outdoors, a weekly radio program that airs
on Saturdays. He is an avid crappie angler and writes the weekly tips and techniques
column for B'n'M Poles. His class topic is "Simplifying Crappie Fishing - From Techniques to
Boat Set-Up."
Crappie University was established in 2016 and is modeled after the iconic Bass Fishing Techniques
and Bassmaster University programs that were originated more than 30 years ago by the same
founder, Gary White. The Spartanburg class is the first appearance for Crappie University in the area.
"Crappie University is so different than typical fishing seminars because the instructor expertise brings the
latest in tips and techniques from across the country to apply to local waters," said Crappie University
President Gary Dollahon. "The experts use multi-media presentations and hands-on
demonstrations for thorough explanation of their topics. Anyone interested in crappie fishing will benefit
greatly from attending Crappie University."
For more information on Crappie University, including schedules and enrollment,
visit www.CrappieUniversity.com.
Local outdoor writer and radio show host Phillip Gentry is among the instructors teaching at Crappie
University's debut at Spartanburg Community College.
Follow this link for for some great feedback from one of our very own members that attended: http://www.crappie.com/crappie/main-...y/#post3555482