by Sam Ray
As the excitement about College Basketball March Madness continues so does March Fishing Madness excitement trill crappie fishermen. Reports are coming in that crappie are spawning in area lakes and the time is now to catch big slabs laying eggs and big males making bedding areas. I consulted with expert fisherman Eddie Wise and he informed me that while most people like to fish tree brush for crappie he has been using gig poles and fishing about a foot off of the bottom. Crappie do look up for their food but if they are on the bottom they can't see all the way to the top of the water. He said keeping the line tight is a must and many times the crappie will set the hook themselves and if you feel a bite just give it a little nudge. Crappie have soft mouths and you can snatch the hook out if you are too aggressive. Even though the water is high you best get on out there while the spawn is on because the fish aren't waiting for the water to recede. So when you get free on head out to your fishing spot a get started with West Tennessee March Fishing Madness and take the kids with you. The photo is crappie caught by Eddie Wise on Oneal Lake.