Slab crappies are meat eaters—sure enough minnow munchers. They take artificials well at times, especially jigs—but big crappie will turn their noses at even the best of the best crappie lures.

Jerk baits, Alabama rigs, crank baits or jig and pigs are good lure choices for black bass, said Reese Jones at Hook, Line and Sinker in Rogers. Work them along rock or gravel points and rocky banks.

The Alabama Rig has been a very effective and controversial device in the bass fishing world since it's introduction by Andy Doss and Mann's Bait Company in early 2011. The Alabama Rig is not a lure ...

Fishing for crappie has improved. Hook, Line and Sinker in Rogers reports fair crappie fishing in the midlake area with minnows or jigs 10 to 20 feet deep. The best fishing is near brush piles. Try ...