One-of-a-kind Crappie Camps - Brad Wiegmann

[Slab]

When was the last time you and a group of other crappie anglers got together to eat a meal, talk about crappie fishing techniques and share fishing stories? Probably never that is unless you have attended the one-of-a-kind crappie camp. If you haven’t attended don’t worry as more and more states are setting up the events opened to the crappie fishing community.

“Crappie Camps essentially started in 2004 with Richard Williams with the David Sumners’ Memorial Tournament Camp and from there the camps spawned off to almost every state that has crappie in them. There is lot of fun with people getting together sharing their fishing knowledge with other crappie anglers,” said Crappie.com owner Ed Moes aka “Slab”.



At a recent Crappie Camp on Kentucky Lake out of Sportsman’s Lodge I visited with crappie fishing guide Doug Wynn, owner of Crappie-Gills-n-More (www.crappie-gills-n-more.com) about Crappie Camps. “It started here with a bunch of guys and it’s grown bigger and bigger. Last year we had crappie anglers from 11 different states attending and well over a hundred people attending the camp,” said Doug Wynn.

Wynn noted that crappie anglers were more willing to share information and techniques because they want other crappie anglers to catch fish. “You normally won’t find the openness in other fishing communities. It’s pretty much a fun get together although we did have some guys today that are doing a fruit jar tournament but it’s all for fun,” said Wynn.

“The food is really great at all the camps. Participants will bring their own local regional foods and grill out making it such a great time,” said Moes.



All of the Crappie.com Camps are different depending on the state. Mississippi has a weeklong camp while Kentucky is having a 3 day camp and some have one day camps, however, it’s not unusual for anglers from other states traveling to participate in other state camps. Activities also differ in each state and get organized on the Crappie.com (www.crappie.com) website.

Crappie.com has a hundred forums and every state that has crappie has a forum so people can check out what has been posted as a sticky note about upcoming events. Most of the Crappie Camps are held in the springtime and many states also now have a fall camp.



At the Kentucky Crappie Camp, Mitch Glenn with PICO Lures (www.picolures.com) came to enjoy the camaraderie along with all the great food. Glenn even brought his boat for the event so he could fish and showoff the legendary PICO Lures crankbait that many of the anglers were fishing with on Kentucky Lake. Fishing out of Glenn’s boat, Ed Moes had even brought his own “secret” Slab Sauce to spray on the PICO Crankbaits.

“Crappie fishing is complex then what a better way to learn how to catch them from other crappie anglers. So, we are excited that Crappie Camps continue to grow and grow in popularity and into other states,” said Moes.
If you haven’t been to a Crappie Camp this is your invitation to attend one in your state or any state having one.

[bandchaser]

Wow, I thought crappie camps were suppose to be about getting together, sharing and swapping stories, enjoy fishing with family and friends, sharing a table with others over awesome food, and making memories.

But now we have several that believe they have the right to turn it into their own personal brand marketing scheme. I have been to several camps and I will say I have never seen it this bad where there was so much "all about me" mentality, and look who I am and what I do.

These same folks have lost touch with the true meaning behind these events. There is no need in them being marketing blitz, or showcases for businesses. We are gathering because we all love crappie fishing, fishing new waters, and making new friends, and catch some fish is just a bonus...



Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

[Slab]

What you talking about! So we got some support from sponsors, nothing's changed. And even that original camp which Richard Williams held, the David Sumners Memorial one, had the Teezur trailer there (Davids wife brought it).



Sponsors are good people too! And it's the sponsors that allow us to keep the site up, and they provide us prize packs for our contests! But no worries, it's all there still, bigger and better than ever: "getting together, sharing and swapping stories, enjoy fishing with family and friends, sharing a table with others over awesome food, and making memories". And now we even have Cobbler!

Here's that original story FYI about the Richard Williams Crappie Camp: https://www.crappie.com/crappie/cont...ial-Tournament

This was just Brads interpretation of what he had heard about the camps from us. He's an outdoors writer and simply stopped by to talk to Doug and I about the camps. He was nice enough to write up a little story. And heck, he did not even make me look that bad (not easy to do)! Dang it was way too early in the morning for making videos, all without coffee even! lol

[Just Steve]

You did good Boss.....

[Cane Pole]

The first CAMP was great. That's where I first met Billbob and Slab. I won the big prize, a 74# troll motor, but also a better prize was friends for life... We pretty tight friends "ya" know. Nothing has changed 'cept the hair dye and Ima still a pain in their butt.

["G"]

Everybody I talked to said it was a great camp in every way. I sure hated to have to cancel my reservations and miss it. I will try to be at the next one.

[sinkermaker]

I have enjoyed both in Kentucky that I have attended and hope to be there next year.

[SuperDave336]

Is there a Carolina Crappie Camp?

["G"]

Is there a Carolina Crappie Camp?

None that I know of......
You ought to kick the ball and get the game started.

[skeetbum]

I have attended a few gatherings here in FL, snowbird central. I have fished since I was 5 and NEVER in all the time I have spent around the fishing community have I met better, down to earth people that are willing to share anything they know to help you catch fish. I have met members in a BPS in Memphis, TN and another in another outdoors store west of St Louis, Mo. Several of us members gathered and started the Middle Tennessee Crappie Club which I have since relocated away from. This is my second family and I take offense that someone could make the statement that it was becoming the “Dig Me” show by promoting things or services within the community. In years past I have been involved in clay targets and attended several tournaments and championship events. At these events were trailers holding vendors, repair shops, endless accessories and services including instructors and other shooting facilities. I found all of this to be a gold mine of information as everyone there was also glad to answer any questions that this rookie had. I found it a very big plus to be able to handle and understand the different gear that could make me better at what I was wanting to learn. Sponsors and vendors and guides do nothing to detract from any Crappie.com event but they do enrich it in many ways. I’ll get off my soap box now but want to close by saying “ROCK ON” to Slab and all of those who take their time and effort to organize these camps and simple gatherings. I leave them a much happier and light hearted person and it takes quite a few days for me to wipe the smile from my face........Skeet