Mike from Ky and his first artificial crappie jig fish.

I have a new friend now from Kentucky and was delighted and honored that he would make the nearly 4 hour trip down here for crappie lessons and fishing trip. He came down yesterday and stayed in a nearby hotel so that we could get an early morning trip in. He had many questions. Lolol.

Mike Bicknell had never caught a crappie with an artificial jig before in his life and was resigned, as many others are, to Minnow fishing and trolling. Two techniques that I refuse to do and I’ve told you that many times. Grin.

We were on the water and in our first spot by 6 am. In fifteen minutes or less, I had Mike grinning from ear to ear. I set him up in the perfect place and told him where to cast after a one minute lesson on how to shoot a jig without getting impaled by the hook.

He caught two keepers, two short crappie and a little spot in the first 15 minutes. We had 6 keepers in the livewell in 30 minutes and Mike said that was his all day catch on his home lake. We were just getting started with his education. We sent him home with 14 keepers and lessons on offshore setups, how to fish roadbeds, a creek or ditch channel off the main river channel and answers or at least what I think about many of the questions that he asked. I recommended that he buy a rod like I had him fish with today. I use it for just about all applications.

Quantum Qx36 graphite 5.0’ ultralight rod and 4 lb test hi-vis line. He handled that little baby just fine today. He said he was going home and buy a rod and reel for shooting. Lolol

This makes my day and is what I live for. Teaching people that have the desire to catch fish and not a clue how or what to look for. It was my desire to learn when I first got started fishing 50 years ago and no one was willing or able to share. I’m going to make a bold statement here and many might not like it cause they don’t want others fishing their secret spots, but you can never lose by sharing what you have with others who need what you have learned. It is a spiritual principle and cannot fail.

Keep you life (fishing spots) and you will lose it. Lose your life (your fishing spots) and you will find more than you could ever imagine. God is good all the time and it is His good pleasure to give us the kingdom and that includes friends and fishing spots. Lolol.