Herren’s crappie hunt

Alabama pro Matt Herren expected to be launching his Skeeter FXR in Dayton, Tenn., this week for the Bassmaster Elite at Chickamauga Lake.
Alabama pro Matt Herren expected to be launching his Skeeter FXR in Dayton, Tenn., this week for the Bassmaster Elite at Chickamauga Lake.
But since the world had other plans, he went to the lake he calls his
But since the world had other plans, he went to the lake he calls his “happy place” — Neely Henry on Alabama’s Coosa River chain.
It was a nice escape — and a trip he always tries to make once or twice this time of year.
It was a nice escape — and a trip he always tries to make once or twice this time of year.
All of his standard equipment was in place for the day, but his Humminbird Solix units and Minn Kota Ultrex were in for a different kind of workout.
All of his standard equipment was in place for the day, but his Humminbird Solix units and Minn Kota Ultrex were in for a different kind of workout.
The rods on his deck were a easy giveaway that he was in search of crappie instead of bass.
The rods on his deck were a easy giveaway that he was in search of crappie instead of bass.
The search started as the sun was coming up.
The search started as the sun was coming up.
Like a lot of Alabama anglers, Herren enjoys
Like a lot of Alabama anglers, Herren enjoys “shooting docks” for crappie.
Crappie use the docks year-round for shade and structure, and they congregate around them heavily during the spring spawning season.
Crappie use the docks year-round for shade and structure, and they congregate around them heavily during the spring spawning season.
Their positioning under the docks requires a different approach. Using a small crappie jig, the angler must grab the lure, pull the rod tip down and use a sling-shot-type action to propel the bait into tight places.
Their positioning under the docks requires a different approach. Using a small crappie jig, the angler must grab the lure, pull the rod tip down and use a sling-shot-type action to propel the bait into tight places.
Sometimes a standing position just won't work.
Sometimes a standing position just won’t work.
Once the jig is under the dock, it's just a matter of letting it fall and waiting for that familiar
Once the jig is under the dock, it’s just a matter of letting it fall and waiting for that familiar “thump” that anglers of all descriptions love to feel on the end of a line.
Then comes the hook set.
Then comes the hook set. “You can ask any angler on the Bassmaster Elite Series — any angler anywhere,” Herren says. “They’ll all tell you they like getting a bite. Obviously, most of the time, we want it to be a bass. But we all live for the bite.”
After the bite, there's the fight.
After the bite, there’s the fight.
Though crappie don't grow as large as bass — a big one in Alabama weighs about 2 pounds — they are still a blast on light tackle.
Though crappie don’t grow as large as bass — a big one in Alabama weighs about 2 pounds — they are still a blast on light tackle.
A good drag system and lots of patience are good tools to have.
A good drag system and lots of patience are good tools to have.
Their thin mouths make it easy to rip the hook out. That's where the patience comes in.
Their thin mouths make it easy to rip the hook out. That’s where the patience comes in.
Sometimes a net comes in handy.
Sometimes a net comes in handy.
Of course, bass anglers don't always have patience for a net.
Of course, bass anglers don’t always have patience for a net.
With smaller fish, it works out OK.
With smaller fish, it works out OK.
That's another one for the livewell.
That’s another one for the livewell.
Herren wasn't the only Elite Series pro with this idea today. Across the way, reigning Bassmaster Angler of the Year Scott Canterbury is doing the same thing.
Herren wasn’t the only Elite Series pro with this idea today. Across the way, reigning Bassmaster Angler of the Year Scott Canterbury is doing the same thing.
Before lunchtime, Herren's livewell was loaded with crappie.
Before lunchtime, Herren’s livewell was loaded with crappie.
As one of the most prolific and tastiest fish in the water, crappie are a prized delicacy across the country — especially in the South.
As one of the most prolific and tastiest fish in the water, crappie are a prized delicacy across the country — especially in the South.
The end result of a day on an Alabama lake this time of year is often a bowl full of crappie fillets that can be frozen and enjoyed a few at a time for the next several months.
The end result of a day on an Alabama lake this time of year is often a bowl full of crappie fillets that can be frozen and enjoyed a few at a time for the next several months.