Crappie

Crappie fishing around Theodosia, Missouri, on Bull Shoals Lake is a popular pursuit, and for good reason. This large reservoir offers abundant crappie habitat, from submerged timber to brush piles and docks. Spring is undoubtedly the best time to target slabs, as they move into shallow bays and coves to spawn. Minnows and jigs fished under a bobber are classic and effective presentations. Look for crappie around structure in 5-15 feet of water. Summer crappie tend to move deeper, suspending around submerged trees and brush in the main lake. Trolling crankbaits or spider-rigging with multiple jigs can be productive during this time. A local tip: check out the flooded timber near the Highway 160 bridge – it's a known crappie hotspot. Also, be mindful of the daily creel limit, as it's actively enforced. Bull Shoals crappie are known for their good size, so you have a great chance at catching a true keeper.