By Warren Cotton

Warren Cotton is a native of Memphis, TN, the 2013 Crappie Masters Mississippi State Champion and a guide on Arkabutla Lake, Sardis Lake,  Enid Lake and Grenada Lake in MS. 

By Ken Duke

Ken Duke is the Managing Editor of Fishing Tackle Retailer Magazine, most recently serving as Senior Editor of B.A.S.S. Publications (2005-14). Before that he served as B.A.S.S.’ Senior Publicist (2004-05) and as an editor with Game & Fish Publications (1999-2004). He is the author of two books on bass fishing and has been published in more than 50 regional and national outdoor magazines.

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If you're a crappie angler, you probably know lots more anglers who love catching crappie just as much as you do ... or almost as much. But what do you really know about your brothers and sisters who share your passion (and appetite) for the sport? Who are they and how do you compare with them as an angler and as a consumer?

The answer is in the numbers. With them, we can learn a lot about our sport, our resource and the economic impact that crappie fishing has on the fishing industry. We can also plan a course to improve things. Let's get started.

Many times people look at successful professional crappie anglers and say they got lucky. They didn't get lucky, they just mastered the L.U.C.K Factor.

(Location) Location is everything. Think about it, if there are no fish in the area you are then obviously you can't catch them. If you are fishing an area that you have caught fish in the past give it about 30 - 45 minutes. If it is a new area that you have not fished in the past, give it about 15 - 20 minutes. If you have not caught fish in this length of time, then it is time to change location. Crappie are structure oriented so look for some type of cover. Whether it be brush piles, stake beds, lay downs, etc. If the lake you are fishing has creek channels and ledges in it, this is a very good area to look for that structure. Just remember don't fish in an area too long where you are not catching fish.

- Mike Waters

To Become A Better Angler You Need To Learn The Importants Of T.I.M.E. We have talked with four Crappie Professionals and asked them to weigh in on the subject.

(Transition) There are only a few transitions. Pre-spawn, spawn and post spawn. We all make this to difficult. Bottom line is anytime other than the spawn crappie are looking for one thing and one thing only, something to eat. Find baitfish and you will find crappie.

- Todd Huckabee