from the editor’s desk - magnolia crappie the editor’s desk grenada, grenada, ... the great work...

From the Editor’s Desk Grenada, Grenada, Grenada, what else can you say about a crappie fisherman’s heaven. There is nowhere in the world, that I know of, can you enjoy such great crappie fishing. If we could clone this great lake and drop a few here and there, it would be wonderful. I’ve fished so-called “Big Fish Lakes”, some are seasonable, and some are hit-and-miss. Grenada is mystical when it comes to big fish. It’s one of the reasons that MCC schedules at least two tournaments each year. I could go on and on, about how many times we’ve had 19+ pound stringers, how many 3+ pound fish we’ve weighed, or how many 12” fish I’ve put back that weighed over 2 pounds. That’s not my point, my point this time is how the City of Grenada and the Convention & Visitors Bureau has welcomed MCC to their great town. Did I mention they are now a $5,000+ sponsor of MCC? You might not think that significant but wait a minute. It wasn’t long ago we didn't get anything from them. We thank y’all dearly. No other town, lake or area that MCC hosts tournaments around can boast of have nearly 20 sponsors (19 & counting). That’s amazing, phenomenal, outstanding, and impressive. It didn’t come easy. It took hard work and determination to get this accomplished. A few MCC members took my challenge earlier in the year to go out and solicit new sponsors, Johnny Walker, Jeremy Aldridge, Robbie Niven, Don Terry, Tommy Moss, Paul Johnson, Rod Womack and Les Smith did just that. Between these eight MCC members, they’ve delivered well over $25,000 in new sponsorship funds. Our current sponsorships are in excellent shape and we’re only past the 2nd tournament. Again I say “Thank You My Friends”. Last but not least, I would like to thank Brad Wiegmann for the wonderful photographs he provided us during the weigh-in. Thank you Brad. Special thanks goes out to Ms Anne and Ronnie Parker from Lake Fork Tackle for the door prizes. Another thanks to Mid-South Tackle owners Phyllis and Doyle Hudson for their past and current support. I’m available, if you need me; my email address and number is listed along with the entire Board of Directors. So keep up the great work you’re doing bringing in sponsors and recruiting new members, let’s make MCC the best club in the country. There’s plenty of work for everyone. It’s your club too. Be Safe & Have a Blessed Day, Bernard Williams, Vice-President & Editor

2014-15 Issue 2 October 25, 2014 Magnol ia Crappie Club Adventures

Cover photos courtesy of Brad Wiegmann—Freelance Outdoor Writer, Professional Photographer—www.bradwiegman.com

Grenada Lake is an awesome lake, no other crappie lake in the country can and do produce the monster crappie like this lake. Larry Holmes and TJ Ferguson proved that on Saturday. They fished the mouth of Perry Creek and boy did they lay the wood to the crappie. 16.55#’s of crappie would be an excellent weight for the spawn; no where but Grenada would you expect this weight in the Fall. Larry says they pushed minnows almost on the bottom to catch about 20 or more slabs in the early morning bite. These guys had no problem catching their 7 fish limit while others struggled. TJ says, “we had our limit around 8:30am. We had our weigh-in fish around 9:30, then they shut off. You have to catch them while they’re biting or you’re out of luck”. So true my friend, so true. Bobby Garland & Bass Pro Staff Team Brad Chappell & Bo Hudson finished 2nd with 15.09#’s. These guys fished the Carver Point area, long-lining soft plastics. Brad says, “We found those fish about a week ago; we pulled off them rather quickly and continued to check them during practice. Fishing Crappie Masters two weeks prior was a big ad-vantage. Our bite started early and lasted till about 10am. After that it was slim and none”. Second year team Jeremy Aldridge and Clint Egbert fin-ished 3rd with 14.42#’s. These guys came on the scene hard and heavy last year, winning 2 MCC tournaments and finishing in the top 5 in the Anglers of the Year race. They fished the Scuna area along with over half the field. Coming in 4th the team of Johnny ‘Cat’ Walker and Tom Robinson 13.92#’s. Johnny says his big fish (2.60#’s) was the 1st fish he caught. “I thought I was going to kill em’, I caught several more but the big ones either moved or stop biting.” Rounding out the top 5 was the brand new team of Nick Sullivan and Johnathan Pitcock with 13.68#’s. These Batesville guys showed us ‘pro-fess-i-o-nals’ how it sup-posed to be done. They weighed 13.68#’s. They fished the Carver Point area and the Scuna River side of the lake. Congratulations, Nick and Johnathan, y’all did great!!!

Congratulations to TJ Ferguson & Larry Holmes for an excellent stringer of Grenada crappie weighing in at a whopping 16.55#’s. That’s awesome for the spring, unbelievable for the fall.


Big Mama Open Winnrs - Kent Driscoll & John Harrison - 2.18#’s

Ok, speaking of Big Mama’s, we seen plenty. Kent Dris-coll of Covington, GA and John Harrison of Calhoun City, MS caught a whopper, 3.03#’s to be exact. The B’n’M Poles & War Eagle Boats Pro Staff Team fished the Choc-taw Landing area of the lake and weighed 12.38#’s. These guys are class acts, they donated the $500 in B’n’M Bucks they won using B’n’M poles back to MCC. I know of no one that would even consider doing that. Thank you Kent and John. Bless you my friends. Did I mention we had teams from Arkansas, Tennes-see, Mississippi, Kentucky, Georgia, Alabama, Illinois, and Missouri. That’s not too shabby for a little ole crappie club down in Mississippi. We must be doing something right or we wouldn’t have had 48 teams fishing our regular club tournament and 54 teams fishing the Big Mama Open. We weighed 268 fish for a total weight of 437.84#’s. The average fish weight was 1.63#’s and average number of fish per team was 5.68 fish. The average weight per team was 8.94#’s. I know of no lake in the country that has those type statistics. Guess that’s why the parking lots are filled with out of state tags. We were blessed with sponsors from Lake Fork Tackle and Mid-South Tackle. Anne and Ronnie Parker from Lake Fork Tackle provided us with lots of giveaways (soft plas-tics & rod socks) for the fishing teams. Doyle and Phyllis Hudson of Mid-South Tackle agreed to continue their team sponsorship of their MCC Team (Vic Finkley and Kim Gray). I had the pleasure of meeting a professional outdoor writer and photographer Brad Wiegmann. Brad did a photo shoot of some of the B’n’M teams. This guy is a class act. He taught me more about my camera than I could ever imagine. I can now take high quality, good looking photos. Brad says, “I’ve taken well over a 500,000 photos with this Canon Ti2 camera. You’ve got to learn your camera before you can take quality photos”. I agree with you 100%. With the right lens and a good flash, you can produce some ex-cellent photos, well at least Brad can. Thank you Brad for providing the cover photos. You are the man!!! Bernard

You can’t keep a good dog down long, Kent Driscoll & John Harrison won the Big Mama Open with a 3.03# crappie. These guys are tough to beat on any lake especially on their home lake of Grenada.

Grenada Winners - TJ Ferguson & Larry Holmes - 16.55#’s

From the Tournament Director’s Desk From the Tournament Director’s Desk -- Michael NowellMichael Nowell


Grenada Lake produces once again! This tournament was a tough one. Most teams had the same luck we did all week prefishing. 2 keepers a day. Not a good way to put together a pattern to catch a heavy stringer of fish on tournament day. But of course as always the expert teams of MCC found a way to catch some slabs when it counted. I know we have gotten use to catching some monster slabs at Grenada, but this was not a spring tournament when those females are fat and full of eggs. You guys and gals brought in numerous crap-pie to the scales that were over 2.5 pounds. And to top it all off one truly Big Mama weighing in over 3 lbs. A 3.03 pound crappie in October. That's just unreal. Just imagine what fat slabs might be waiting on us when we come back this spring. I want to take a moment to thank some people who stopped to help us in our time of need. Chaney Starnes and Matt Collier, Chris Horton, and Terry and Tony Stewart. You all stopped to offer your help and to make sure we made it back in. Good friends. That's what this club was built on. Also thank you goes out to Don Terry, Kent Driscoll, Kattie Womack, Logan and anyone else who helped with the weigh in that I could not see. Also thank you goes out to Paul Johnson that made sure the youth did not go home empty handed. Re-member, they are our future and we need to support and mentor them every chance we get. On a personal note I would like to ask everyone to keep one of our friends in your thoughts and prayers. Most of you know Mike and Suzette Vallentine with Crappie Masters. Well if you have not heard, Suzette has had some health problems. She is doing better but needs all the healing power we can send her way. Next up is Enid. This lake has become one of our favorites. You always catch a lot of fish and you catch big fish too. All reports I have gotten have really been good and this one could be another shoot out at the scales. We have a new sponsor for this tournament. The Chuck Stop @ 6367 Hwy 51, Pope, MS 38658. I just got off the phone with him and he plans on having some food for Friday night. He also plans on having a breakfast buffet set up Saturday morning along with plenty biscuits like he always has. He also plans on having 10,000 fresh minnows delivered just for us. So be sure to give them some business. Directions From the south take the Enid exit and go left back over the interstate.

From the north take the Enid exit and go right. Turn right onto Hwy 51 North. The Chuck Stop is about 3 miles on the left. Friday evening registration 5:00 - 6:00 PM @ "The Chuck Stop" Saturday morning registration 5:00 - 5:45 AM @ "The Chuck Stop" Start fishing time is 6:30 AM. Stop fishing time is 2:00 PM Weigh in time 3:00 PM @ the Wallace Creek Landing

The WeighThe Weigh--Master’sMaster’s–– Larry NipperLarry Nipper Grenada!!!

Hello Magnolia, we did it again. Another super Grenada Tournament is in the bag. We had fun, caught big fish and returned home safely. What more could you ask. Thank you Lord. I completed my harvest for the year. Thanks to the help of the Good Lord we made another good crop. Farming is crap-shoot. It takes hard work, good weather and other variables beyond your control to have a good year, and we were successful. Thank you for bearing with me dur-ing the last tournament. I had to miss due to factors beyond my control. Our weights were excellent for the fall. Grenada never ceases to amaze me, with all the pressure put on this lake, low water levels, the numerous tournaments, it still produces near record stringers every tournament we fish. I’m amazed at the size fish, having to throw back a 2# fish that’s not 12”. I would like to thank the Corp of Engineers, Park Rangers, MWFP for

their excellent work in making sure these natural resources will continue to flourish in the future. Thank you MCC for keeping your fish alive and returning them to the lake. Some say they don’t sur-vive, that’s not our fault, all we can say is “we tried”. Who knows for sure, that’s not my call. It makes me feel good catching those monster crappie, weighing them, and then returning them to the lake for next time. It’s not the fish we enjoy, it’s the fishing. Thank you and be blessed. Larry

Michael Nowell, Tournament Director

Larry Nipper Weigh-Master


From the President’s Desk From the President’s Desk -- Kenneth Middleton, IIKenneth Middleton, II OK…IT’S OFFICIAL These guys and gals are good. Same old story for me and Larry…wrong place at the right time or the right place at the wrong time. When we moved to our last spot of the day, we ran into the Bass Pro Shops pro staff team of Brad Chappell and Bo Hudson who said, and I quote, “they just shut down here five minutes ago”. Then we get to the weigh in line and the very first club weight was close to 14lbs, we knew no check for us today. But that’s ok because it was as an exciting weigh-in to witness, never know-ing what the other bucket was bringing. It was a great show that made a posi-tive impact on two fantastic new vendors for the new season. Anne and Ronnie Parker from Lake Fork Lures in Texas and Phyllis and Doyle Hudson, owners of Mid South Tackle from Jonesboro, Arkansas are coming to be a part of MCC. The Board of Directors met Friday to go over the club operations and agreed the club is in good financial health and made a couple of changes. One of them is the new look for the magazine. Hope you like it! Another change was to recognize that a Big Mama with a large turn out should be rewarded. So for the two spring tournaments a new payout for a 100+ boat event is 1st place $2500, 2nd place $1500, and 3rd place $1000. Not a bad payday at all! Congrats to BnM pro staff team John Harrison and Kent Driscoll on hauling

in a 3.03# crappie in October; that’s absolutely incredible. They also donated their BnM $500 bonus to be fished for in the finals. The top team that fished with BnM poles in the finals will take it home. Just may be them again, who knows. Take note of the current sponsor list and the member responsible. These members are driving this club forward and are the reason we are able to fish for an amazing amount at the end of the year. Thank them when you see them. Not bad for a little old fishing club from Mississippi. The best organizations are the ones where a lot of people do a little to help make the club better. Right now, Johnny Walker, John Harrison, Roger and Katie Womack, and of course Bernard Williams and Don Terry are putting us all on their backs. It’s time you and I get to work to help lighten their load. I’ll go first. I hear there are some major sponsorships in the works for this season and next. It seems you are so well known nationally that they are beginning to contact us. Gotta love that! More to come, Ken

Kenneth Middleton, II, President MCC

Grenada Lake Tourney ~ Top Teams

TJ Ferguson & Larry Holmes weighed 7 fish for a total weight of 16.55#’s to win Grenada Lake Tournament. This is Larry & TJ’s first year as a team, Larry fished as a guest of Terry Stewart a few times. Good job my friends, y’all showed us how it’s done. Keep it up….

Clint Egbert & Jeremy Aldridge weighed 14.42#’s to finish 3rd. These guys consistently make the top 5. Good job, way to go……….

Brad Chappell & Bo Hudson weighed 15.09#’s to finish 2nd at Grenada. The Bass Pro Shops & Bobby Garland Pro Staff Team is extremely hard to beat.

Johnny Walker & Tom Robinson finished 4th with 13.92#’s. Johnny & Tom could be the new team to watch this coming year.

Nick Sullivan & Johnathan Pitcock weighed 13.68#’s to finish in the 5th spot. This rookie team could very well be our Rookie of the Year Team.

In the Running

6th TERRY / TONYA STEWART 13.67#’s

7th B BURNETT / J GROSS 13.49#’s

8th M BLOUNT / K SULLIVAN 12.95#’s

9th K DRISCOLL / J HARRISON 12.38#’s

10th S CULPEPPER / D THORNTON 12.24#’s

11th JAMES / TRACE CARPENTER 12.17#’s

12th T MOSS / B CALHOUN 11.78#’s

13th R CLARY / P KIRK 11.72#’s

14th ROGER / KATIE WOMACK 11.30#’s

15th STEVE / DAVID WHITE 10.99#’s


1st Big Fish — 3.03#’s

2nd — Phil Kirk & Ray Clary — 2.97#’s

3rd—Tommy Moss & Brad Calhoun — 2.75#’s

1st—Kent Driscoll & John Harrison — 3.03#’s


MCC Anglers of The Year - Top Teams The Tite-Lok Pro Staff Team of Jerry Gross & Bill Burnett are the leaders in the Angler of the Year Race. Jerry is from Rison, AR. Bill lives in West Memphis, AR during the week and at Sardis on the weekend. These guys caught 7.29#’s at Wolf Lake and 13.49#’s on Grenada.

Jerry is the owner of Meatgetter Jigs. He sells the Minner-Critters. Y’all know the ones that Mike & Paula Nowell caught the club record (3.49#) slab on, and on top of that, they caught a 3.19# and a 3.01# slab.

Bill owns Big River Marine and sells boats in West Memphis, AR. If you’re in the market for a new or used boats, don’t hesitate to contact Bill. He’s on the web so look him up. Not only can he sell you a boat, he can rig it with the proper electronics, trolling motor, and rod racks. Also, if you catch him in a good mood, he might just tell you where to catch some of those huge crappie on Grenada, Enid, or Sardis.

These guys are dedicated members of MCC. Thanks Guys

David Thornton and Shelton Culpepper are at the number 2 spot in the Anglers of the Year Race with 39.95 total points after two tournaments. These guys are no strangers to this race, they’ve won it several times and continue to finish in the top 5 each year.

David lives on Eagle Lake, just out of Vicksburg, MS. He’s a re-tired electrician and crappie guide. David fishes strictly for the fun. He has plenty of money and being an old man, he’s blessed to be in very good health. This allows him to fish nearly 200 days each year. David loves MCC having served as Weigh-Master for numerous years. I think this guy can smell where the fish are.

Shelton on the other hand lives in Bay Springs, MS when he’s not at his cabin on Eagle Lake. Shelton is a retired Farm Bureau Insur-ance broker that retired and sold his business last year. Shelton got so much money until he uses dollar bills to start the fire in his fire-place. He also served as Vice-President for many years. LOL.

I’m glad to be associated with these guys, they’re personal friends of mine, at least they were before I wrote this….

Clint Egbert & Jeremy Aldridge are just behind in the number 3 spot with 39.86 points. These guys came on the scene last year about this time and won at Grenada. They both hail out of Batesville, MS. I thought they were a fluke until they won the 2nd tournament on a lake.

Jeremy & Clint secured an Ultimate Sponsorship ($5,000) from the City of Batesville to host our MCC Championship. These guys are sponsored by Silent Stalker; it’s a device placed on the front of the boat to keep down the wave splash noise. It must be working cause they keep doing good. Speaking of doing good, these guys caught the heaviest stringer in Crappie Masters National Championship on day two. Way to go guys.

When you see Jeremy be sure to get your cigar, he and his wife welcomed their first child about a month ago. I know that boy is gonna be fishing and hunting about the time he starts to walk. Con-gratulations Jeremy. You need to start baby-sitting and leave crappie fishing alone, maybe I’ll be able to win one once in a while.

1st Place—Jerry Gross & Bill Burnett

2nd Place—David Thornton & Shelton Culpepper

3rd Place—Clint Egbert & Jeremy Aldridge


Coming in the 4th spot is Charles Lindsay and his son, Charles Lindsay, Jr. These guys are tough to beat on any lake except the Corp Lakes. Charles Sr. hates them. They’re chomping at the bits to get back on the River Lakes and Barnett.

The ole man is a retired Gift Shop owner having sold his business several years ago. He’s another one of my friends that’s loaded. However, he’s extremely tight. I tell him all the time we’re gonna have to screw him in the ground. He now enjoys fishing, gardening, and playing the stock market. The team is sponsored by the Yazoo County Convention and Visitor’s Bureau and have been for many years.

Charles Jr., is a self-employed Private Investigator. If you think your spouse is cheating, just call him. These guys live near Pelahat-chie, MS which is a stones throw away from the Barnett. They love crappie fishing and MCC. Charles Sr., served several tenues as MCC President and currently a MCC Board Member through 2016.

They’re no strangers to the points race, they’ve won it several times.

MCC Anglers of The Year - Top Teams

Dr. Tonya & Terry Stewart of Clinton round out the top 5 teams. Tonya & Terry are sponsored by Tony & Terry (Elite Optical) if you know what I mean. Tonya is a optometrist (eye doctor) for all you that don’t know what that means. Terry is the only man in the histo-ry of MCC that proposed to his wife at a crappie tournament weight-in. No joke, it made the newspaper; talk about being a red-neck.

This team was smoking hot at one time, then they bought that big 22’ Ranger and their luck took a down turn. I told them that the fish think it’s nighttime when that ship comes across them. That thing sure is a fine boat.

Tonya fished every tournament with Terry before they got mar-ried, now she picks the fair weather tournaments. Guess when you get what you want you don’t have to do crazy stuff anymore. I got to give it to them, they love crappie fishing and MCC. Terry served as Tournament Director and Tonya served as Secretary/Treasurer for several years. That was a lot of work, but they served honorably.

4th Place—Charles Lindsay Sr. & Charles Lindsay Jr.

5th Place—Tonya & Terry Stewart


CHIRP - A Game Changer By Bernard Williams

Nothing has changed the crappie fishing game like side and down imaging sonar technology. Several months ago I started hearing about a new type of sonar. I started to do some research and what I found was amazing. You can now distinguish bait fish from game fish and actually see the fish sitting on top of a stump or brush pile. That's always been a challenge with the older sonar units.

What I discovered is called Compressed High Impact Radar Pulse technology or CHIRP for short. CHIRP has been around for a while. It's been used by the military since the early 1950's and declassified around 1960. It's the first time the technology has been available to recreational and sport fishing at an affordable price.

What is CHIRP?

CHIRP transducers transmit a long pulse across a wide frequency band; traditional transducers operate at 50 kHz and 200 kHz. This limits what targets can be detected and distinguished in the water column. Any object(s) below the boat that are detected in the frequency band, will be seen on the display. CHIRP transducers are designed to operate over a broad range of frequencies (28 kHz – 800 kHz) with no sensitivity loss. You get remarkable target separation and resolution.

CHIRP can be used to distinctly identify targets like individual fish in a school, precise separation between bait fish and game fish, and 5 to 10 times greater detail and resolu-tion. So to sum it up your ability to resolve individual fish, or separate fish from bottom structure, is now a matter of inches, instead of several feet with traditional fishfinders. You'll see individual fish in groups, instead of a single mass.

Depth finders that use CHIRP

♦ Garmin echoMap & GPSMap Series

♦ Lowrance Elite CHIRP & HDS Gen2 – with Sonar Hub Networking Module

♦ Lowrance Gen2 Touch Series

♦ Humminbird ONIX Series – with SM3000 Black Box

The Lowrance Elite 5 Series starts around $500 and the Garmin echoMap 70dv around $900. The Garmin GPSMap starts around $1,200, HDS Gen2 with SonarHub Sounder Module lists around $1,300 while the Humminbird ONIX Series starts around $1,600.

Is it worth the price?

If fishing time is a factor, then you make the investment. I tournament fish once a month and fish mostly on weekends. I also fish on large reservoirs and I need to be where the fish are. I made the investment in a HDS Gen2 – with Sonar Hub Sounder Module ($1,700). I chose the Sonar Hub because it includes both CHIRP and Structure Scan. It had made a drastic difference in my catch ratio.

Now I spend a third of my time side-scanning pre-selected areas before I begin fishing. I use my Side-Scan & Down-Scan to find structure and baitfish schools. I mark the struc-ture or baitfish, when completed I turn around and fish the spots I've marked with my sonar unit. I can almost tell when a bite will occur before it happens. If you're running the old sonar technology it would be well worth your while to invest in a unit that utilizes CHIRP. At the end of the day the results will be in the cooler.

2014-15 Issue 2 October 25 , 2014 Magnol ia Crappie Club Adventures

Sponsor MCC Team Current Thru Sponsorship Level

City of Batesville Jeremy Aldridge /Clint Egbert 10/1/2015 ULTIMATE SPONSOR

Grenada Co. Tourism Tommy Moss / Les Smith 10/1/2015 ULTIMATE SPONSOR

Academy Sports Paul Johnson 9/4/2015 EXCLUSIVE EVENT SPONSOR

B & M Pole Company Kent Driscoll / John Harrison 2/27/2015 EXCLUSIVE EVENT SPONSOR

Elite Optical Terry / Tonya Stewart 9/5/2015 EXCLUSIVE EVENT SPONSOR

Farm Bureau Shelton Culpepper / David Thornton 5/30/2015 EXCLUSIVE EVENT SPONSOR

The Crawley Law Offices, PLLC Don Terry / Bernard Williams 10/22/2015 EXCLUSIVE EVENT SPONSOR

Washington Co. Tourism Ken Middleton / Larry Nipper 2/6/2015 EXCLUSIVE EVENT SPONSOR

PRADCO / Bandit Lures Brad Taylor 10/31/2015 EXCLUSIVE EVENT SPONSOR

Yazoo Co Tourism Charles Lindsay / Charles Lindsay, Jr 10/16/2014 EXCLUSIVE EVENT SPONSOR

Desiccare, Inc. Roger / Katie Womack 10/6/2015 SPECIAL SPONSOR

Taylor Made Labels, Inc. Roger / Katie Womack 9/4/2015 SPECIAL SPONSOR

Cannon Chevrolet Johnny Walker 9/24/2015 PLATINUM SPONSOR

Counce Marine Chaney Starnes 8/2/2015 PLATINUM SPONSOR

Douglas Quikut Kent Driscoll / John Harrison 10/9/2015 PLATINUM SPONSOR

Gateway Tire Johnny Walker 8/6/2015 PLATINUM SPONSOR

Huskavarnna Johnny Walker 8/25/2015 PLATINUM SPONSOR

Kirk Auto Company Johnny Walker 8/28/2015 PLATINUM SPONSOR

Lakeway Sporting Goods Johnny Walker 8/1/2015 PLATINUM SPONSOR

Performance Marine, LLC Roger / Katie Womack 10/1/2015 PLATINUM SPONSOR

Rankin First Economic Develop Tommy Moss / Brad Calhoun 5/30/2015 PLATINUM SPONSOR

Southern Belle T-Shirts Kent Driscoll / John Harrison 3/15/2015 PLATINUM SPONSOR

Tite Lok/Black Hawk Ken Middleton / Larry Nipper 11/19/2015 PLATINUM SPONSOR

TLC Marine Johnny Walker 8/25/2015 PLATINUM SPONSOR

War Eagle Boats John Harrison 8/6/2015 PLATINUM SPONSOR

Dunlap & Kyle Johnny Walker 10/1/2015 MAJOR SPONSOR

East Side Motel Johnny Walker 8/18/2015 MAJOR SPONSOR

Jake and Rips Johnny Walker 8/6/2015 MAJOR SPONSOR

Pete Patrick Tire Service, Inc Hugh Krutz / Steve Stevenson 3/11/2015 MAJOR SPONSOR

Lake Harbor Trading Post Charles Lindsay / Charles Lindsay, Jr 4/16/2015 MAJOR SPONSOR

Scott Pertroleum Corporation Johnny Walker 8/20/2015 MAJOR SPONSOR

Woods Home Building & Repair Robbie Niven / David McWilliams 7/31/2015 MAJOR SPONSOR

Yazoo Body Works Robbie Niven / David McWilliams 7/29/2015 MAJOR SPONSOR

49 Tire & Auto Service Roger / Katie Womack 9/8/2015 PATRON SPONSOR

A-1 Gear & Auto, Inc Roger / Katie Womack 2/27/2015 PATRON SPONSOR

Alfa Insurance Robbie Niven / David McWilliams 7/29/2015 PATRON SPONSOR

Magnolia Crappie Club - Sponsors

2014-15 Issue 2 October 25 , 2014 Magnol ia Crappie Club Adventures

BFMW Group CPA Johnny Walker 8/22/2015 PATRON SPONSOR

B's Grocery Johnny Walker 8/21/2015 PATRON SPONSOR

Central MS Cementary Roger / Katie Womack 2/18/2015 PATRON SPONSOR

Collins Bait & TackLe Johnny Walker 8/29/2014 PATRON SPONSOR

Crystal Grill, Inc. Johnny Walker 8/22/2015 PATRON SPONSOR

Custom Printing Johnny Walker 8/21/2014 PATRON SPONSOR

D & D Gas , LLC Robbie Niven / David McWilliams 8/11/2015 PATRON SPONSOR

David Thornton Guide Service Johnny Walker 9/4/2015 PATRON SPONSOR

Dry Dock Bar & Grill Roger / Katie Womack 9/22/2014 PATRON SPONSOR

Duncan Marine & Outfitters Johnny Walker 8/25/2014 PATRON SPONSOR

Dunn's Store Paul Johnson 5/3/2015 PATRON SPONSOR

Edward Jones Johnny Walker 8/20/2015 PATRON SPONSOR

Executive Planning Group Roger / Katie Womack 8/21/2015 PATRON SPONSOR

Fratesi Grocery Johnny Walker 9/9/2014 PATRON SPONSOR

Green Thumb's LLC Robbie Niven / David McWilliams 8/11/2015 PATRON SPONSOR

Greenwood Nursery & Boat Johnny Walker 8/22/2015 PATRON SPONSOR

Grenada Lake Field Office Johnny Walker 8/25/2015 PATRON SPONSOR

J. Harrison Crappie Guide Service Johnny Walker 9/4/2015 PATRON SPONSOR

Jeffery Wilson State Farm Mike Nowell / Paula Nowell 9/3/2015 PATRON SPONSOR

Jeffreys Grocery & Sporting Goods Roger / Katie Womack 10/13/2014 PATRON SPONSOR

KAJCP Parts & Supply Johnny Walker 10/7/2014 PATRON SPONSOR

Laney's Boat Camp Shelton Culpepper / David Thornton 10/25/2014 PATRON SPONSOR

LeFlore Hardware, Inc. Johnny Walker 8/26/2015 PATRON SPONSOR

Middleton Farm Company Roger / Katie Womack 3/20/2015 PATRON SPONSOR

Outlaw Sporting Goods Johnny Walker 9/5/2014 PATRON SPONSOR

P-Reaux's Cajun Mudbugs, LLC Robbie Niven / David McWilliams 7/25/2015 PATRON SPONSOR

Rankin County Towing Roger / Katie Womack 2/14/2015 PATRON SPONSOR

Roys Store Ken Middleton 10/6/2014 PATRON SPONSOR

Service Auto Parts, Inc. Johnny Walker 8/26/2015 PATRON SPONSOR

Smith & Company Outfitters Johnny Walker 9/1/2015 PATRON SPONSOR

Spencer's Dairy Cream Johnny Walker 8/21/2015 PATRON SPONSOR

Stub's Resturant Robbie Niven / David McWilliams 7/29/2015 PATRON SPONSOR

Sunset Chrysler Dodge Jeep Vic Finkley /Kim Gray 9/5/2015 PATRON SPONSOR

The Biscuit Pit Johnny Walker 8/6/2015 PATRON SPONSOR The Chuck Stop Jeremy Aldridge /Clint Egbert 10/6/2014 PATRON SPONSOR

Top Dog Power Sports Johnny Walker 8/27/2015 PATRON SPONSOR

Trustmark National Bank Johnny Walker 8/26/2014 PATRON SPONSOR

Vans Deer Processing Roger / Katie Womack 2/27/2015 PATRON SPONSOR

Vic's Bait & Tackle Vic Finkley /Kim Gray 8/18/2015 PATRON SPONSOR

Wade Inc. Johnny Walker 8/14/2015 PATRON SPONSOR

Sponsor MCC Team Current Thru Sponsorship Level

Magnolia Crappie Club - Sponsors

If you would like to become a Magnolia Crappie Club sponsor, contact us at [email protected] or call Ken Middleton, President - 662-907-4080. You can also go to our website at www.magnoliacrappieclub.com and print a sponsorship form, fill it out and mail your checks to:

Magnolia Crappie Club - 3616 Kim Dr. - Lauderdale, MS 39335


Place Team Team# Wolf Lake Grenada I Total 1 B.BURNETT-J.GROSS 60 17.29 23.49 40.78 2 S.CULPEPPER-D.THORNTON 5 17.71 22.24 39.95 3 J.ALDRIDGE-C.EGBERT 73 15.44 24.42 39.86 4 C.LINDSAY-C.LINDSAY JR 10 18.79 20.65 39.44 5 T.STEWART-T.STEWART 26 15.26 23.67 38.93 6 L.HOLMES & TJ FERGUSON 42 11.83 26.55 38.38 7 M.BLOUNT-K.SULLIVAN 4 15.07 22.95 38.02 8 K.DRISCOLL-J.HARRISON 9 15.54 22.38 37.92 9 M.NOWELL-P.NOWELL 37 16.33 20.94 37.27

10 J.WALKER & T. ROBINSON 30 13.26 23.92 37.18 11 T.MOSS-B.CALHOUN 11 15.37 21.78 37.15 12 V.FINKLEY-K.GRAY 20 16.14 20.98 37.12 13 R.SANDERS-W.TYER 44 17.14 19.80 36.94 14 P.JOHNSON-E.BATES JR 1 16.48 19.90 36.38 15 C.HORTON-K.HORTON 36 18.64 17.63 36.27 16 R.ROGERS-P.JEFFCOATS 7 17.77 18.45 36.22 17 R.WOMACK-K.WOMACK 3 14.41 21.30 35.71 18 C.STARNES-G.FRAZIER 65 16.68 18.15 34.83 19 D.MCWILLIAMS-R.NIVEN 53 14.81 18.37 33.18 20 D.WHITE-H.STRICKLAND 57 15.33 17.81 33.14 21 S.STEEN-S.STEEN 28 13.65 19.47 33.12 22 B.TAYLOR - AB TAYLOR 59 15.36 17.20 32.56 23 B.WILLIAMS-D.TERRY 8 11.75 20.73 32.48 24 N.DEMPSEY-D.DEMPSEY 89 16.74 14.18 30.92 25 E.OSWALT-J.ROBERSON 54 15.00 15.79 30.79 26 S.MARQUIS-T.GARRETT 69 10.00 20.01 30.01 27 J.SMITH-R.SMITH 34 15.83 14.14 29.97 28 D.WADE-R.WADE 22 14.76 14.79 29.55 29 D.COLLINS 51 10.00 18.14 28.14 30 B.CHAPPELL-B.HUDSON 19 0.00 25.09 25.09 31 N.SULLIVAN-J.PITCOCK 94 0.00 23.68 23.68 32 J.CARPENTER-T.CARPENTER 40 0.00 22.17 22.17 33 R.CLARY-P.KIRK 25 0.00 21.72 21.72 34 S.WHITE-D.WHITE 78 0.00 20.99 20.99 35 H.KRUTZ-S.STEVENSON 35 0.00 20.80 20.80 36 M.HIGGINBOTHAM-N.POLAN 43 0.00 20.25 20.25 37 S.TURNER-A.TURNER 93 0.00 19.81 19.81 38 S.CLARK-J.RILEY 91 0.00 19.35 19.35 39 A.SMITH-L.SMITH 31 0.00 18.72 18.72 40 M.BAKER-K.HUGGINS 81 0.00 18.02 18.02 41 J.WARD-M.WARD 18 0.00 16.83 16.83 42 C.PATTERSON-J.FORD 76 16.71 0.00 16.71 43 R.MOODY-S.MOODY 90 0.00 16.52 16.52 44 R.BOUCHILLON-J.LOWREY 6 0.00 15.87 15.87 45 L.EVANS 71 14.70 0.00 14.70 46 K.MIDDLETON-L.NIPPER 23 0.00 14.41 14.41 47 K.HOLMES-A.MORGAN 24 0.00 12.46 12.46 48 C.WRIGHT JR-C.WRIGHT III 79 11.70 0.00 11.70 49 J.PITT-R.CATALANI 92 0.00 11.32 11.32 50 J.LINTON-J.LINTON 49 0.00 10.00 10.00 50 D.NEWMAN-A.NEWMAN 107 0.00 10.00 10.00 50 J.THOMASON 52 10.00 0.00 10.00

Magnolia Crappie Club - Anglers of the Year Race

Magnol ia Crappie Club Adventures 2014-15 Issue 2 October 25, 2014

David Thornton Crappie Guide Service

David Thornton (601) 218-0007 Visit my website on

www.Crappie101.com Book your trip early Call for prices $$$

Offering Guide Services on: Grenada

Enid

Eagle

Chotard

Washington

John Harrison

Crappie Guide Service

John Harrison (662) 983-5999 Visit my website on

www.Crappie101.com Book your trip early Call for prices $$$

Offering Guide Services on: Grenada

Enid

Sardis

Arkabutla

Washington


SpyderLoc Rod Holders – No Wrench Needed Crappie fishermen listen up, found a new product that’s amazingly simple to use and easy to adjust. A few days ago a friend of mine, Professional Bass and Crappie Fisherman Don Terry of Jackson introduced me to a new rod holder that needs no wrenches to make adjustments. The SpyderLoc Rod holder is flexible, versatile, and adjustable. The height can be raised up and down 3 or 4 levels or any height in between. The holders themselves can be turned left, right, up or down by loosening 1 or 2 knobs. I’m a Driftmaster Rod Holder man and just when I thought there was nothing that comes close, these pop up. I interviewed the inventor, Gene Johnson of Madison, MS. Gene says, “I looked for rod holders and I couldn’t find any that suited my

taste. They were either too expensive and/or low quality, or just wouldn't do the things I wanted them to do. So I went out to my shop and made my own. The first time I took them out, a guy comes along and sees them and had to have’em. I sold them and installed them on his boat at the dock. I go back to the shop and make another set, next time out another guy comes along and sees them and he buys them. The same scenario occurred at least 4 more times.” “Each time I made a set I would make an improvement. When I started pulling crankbaits and longlining, more adjustments were needed. They wouldn’t stay in place; I came up with the teeth or groves in the left, right, up and down adjustments. They were designed for spi-der-rigging and they lock. Thus the name SpyderLoc is derived from this technique,” said Gene. The left and right adjustments is done by loosening the bottom knob, the connections sit

in grooved slots assuring that nothing moves once you set the position. To make up and down adjustment (12” – 20” height adjust-ment), just loosen the camlock at the top of the riser; to make small quick changes in your rod tips while out on the water, simply loos-en the knob on the back of the cradle, make the adjustment, then re-tighten the knob. The back and front of the holder is rubber coated, so there’s no damage to your rod. The distance between the back and front of the holder is wide enough to place your reel inside, assuring that your rod will not get pulled into the lake. I’ve lost several rods to big gar and catfish. The entire rack (24” crossbar) can be rotated left or right by loosening the center knob. The connection at this point has slotted groves for small adjustments. The plate that the holders sit on can be adjusted up or down to 3 positions or anywhere in between. Now the kids can have the holders at a comfortable height. Don’t worry about it rusting; it’s made out of aluminum anodized metal. Contin-ued on page 15


It’s Autumn – The Great Shad Migration

Good bye summer, hello fall. It’s October and we all know what that means for fishing. Longer Nights, cooler temps, the fish start to move shallow and the start of the shad migration on your local lakes, it’s time to break out the crankbaits, jerkbaits, spinnerbaits, and topwater lures. Are you ready for some

fish catching? It’s called a feeding frenzy; bass & crappie go wild gorging up the shad that’s moved into these shallow creeks.

Why do shad migrate? What we see is only one part of what’s driving the food chain causing this migration. Shad feed primarily on microscopic plant and animal life, phytoplankton and zooplankton. They’ll travel miles searching for plankton rich waters. Threadfin shad are more migratory than gizzard shad because of their choice of food. Threadfin are more surface-oriented than gizzard shad and they move in large schools just under the surface.

According to Colton Dennis, bass and crappie biologist for the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, “Threadfin shad adults rarely exceed 5 to 6

inches but can reach a maximum size of 9 inches, whereas the gizzard shad adults are usually 10 to 16 inches long and reach a maximum size of 20 inches and 3.5 pounds,” Dennis said. “They are both pelagic (open-water) schooling fish, but the threadfin shad occupies the layer of water between the surface and the thermocline during most of the year,” Dennis said.

According to Dennis, “Gizzard shad become more bottom-oriented fish as they mature, seeking to consume more organisms associated with the bot-tom substrate rather than those found at the surface. Temperature also plays a role in where the shad will be found. Threadfin are especially tem-

perate in nature. Temperatures dipping into the low 40s cause huge shad die-offs. Threadfin shad is found mostly in Southern waters from Florida to Texas and as far north as the southern part of Illinois. Gizzard shad are much more adaptable and have been found as far north as Canada, ranging from New Mexico to the East Coast.”

Because shad feed on plankton, they roam the open areas of the lake looking for food. Early year rains and runoffs bring nutrients to the lake, warming water temperatures and sunlight cause enormous plankton explosions in the lake’s open waters. This creates a plentiful source of food for shad. As summer passes and fall begins, nutrients in the main lake gets used up and falling temperatures slows plankton growth. Wind, dam control, and summer boat traffic causes this food source to become stirred up in the main portions of the lake. In the shallow creeks the plankton continues to grow, mainly because these areas don’t cool as fast as open water areas. Shad schools migrate into these shallow areas in search of food. This causes bass and crappie to be located in predictable places. These predators love to find ambush points where they can utilize the chance to load up on these schools of shad as they come through the area.

The old saying of “find the shad, you will find the fish” is not always accurate. Occasionally this works just the opposite. These creeks and coves hold millions of shad, far more than crappie and bass can eat. One way to resolve that matter is to find the spots that give bass and crappie a feeding ad-vantage. Cover and structure give bass and crappie an excellent ambush perspective. A long shallow point with deep water on each side is a superb location to begin your search. Areas with a creek channel running through, grass beds along a creek, and creek bends are excellent choices this time of year.

We’ve discussed the shad migration in detail, however not all bass and crappie follow the shad migration. Some remain in their open water retreats. They have all they need, oxygen, comfortable temperatures and an ample supply of food. I wouldn’t abandon areas where you caught summer bass and crappie just because of the shad migration. The great thing is you have lots more areas to fish. When you find these fall fish, remember keep the net handy. Be Safe. Bernard

Garmin GPSMap Recording showing shad schools.


Continue from page 13 Don says he chose SpyderLoc because he uses his boat for dual purposes. He fishes for both bass and

crappie. “I don’t want them on the boat when I’m bass fish-ing; they’re in the way. I didn’t want those high-dollar hold-ers all over my boat with no way to take them in and out. SpyderLoc holders can be removed very quickly; just un-screw the two thumb screws from the base plate, now they can be easily and stored away. You would’ve never know I had them on the boat”, said Don. “I like the fact that one mounting plate is screwed to the floor of the boat for each set of holders. The plate mounts flush to the carpet. I don’t have to deface my Ranger boat”, said Terry.

Don has four sets, two sets in the back for pulling crank-baits and longlining, two sets in the front for spider-rigging. “I’m on the water all the time, 150 to 180 days a year. I’m either bass fishing in tournaments or crappie fishing with my wife and son. My wife mans the poles in the back and she loves the SpyderLoc holders”, says Don. According to Don, “She can quickly make adjustments in the rods when the wind picks up without touching a wrench. The sure lock ad-justment with teeth means it’s going to stay where I put them. We’ve had catfish on over 20 pounds and the holders did their job. They stay exactly where you put them, they

don’t move. My wife is not that tall, she lowers the holders to her comfort level without any help from me, and I love them for that aspect if nothing else.”

According to Johnson, “SpyderLoc holders are selling like hotcakes. My friends on crappie.com order at least 5 or 6 sets a week. You can find them at several local stores around Jackson (R.J’s Marine, Vans Sporting Goods, Duncan Marine and more to come)”. They retail for $129.95 per set and worth every penny. You can order them from their website at http://www.millenniummarine.com/ or call Gene Johnson at (601) 750-3519, If you see him on the water he may have a set or two in the boat. SpyderLoc holders come with a 3 year war-ranty so you can rest at ease. These things are built to handle whatever you throw at them. Bernard

Austin & Mathew Turner, Hayden Tyer—I told you so!! Mr. & Mrs Chad Bridges, AE Smith—Thank You from MCC


Custom Lake Mapping – Easy as One, Two, Three

Sonar Devices have the ability to record and save the sonar readings to an SD card for custom mapping. Lowrance offers a neat way to create these maps with their Insight Genesis and the Insight Planner. Technology has changed so drastically and it’s changing every day. With this new sonar technology, you and I can now cre-ate our own maps of lake contours. Most of the lake map chips available today were mostly derived for old paper maps of lakes. Vendors took these old lake contours and digitized them and copied them to a SD card. With Insight Genesis Custom Maps you can create customized maps from your own survey data for free.

It’s as easy as uploading a sonar log from your Lowrance chart plotter to the Insight Genesis web site. Within minutes you’ll received a link to view your customized contour map. With a subscription upgrade you are allowed to download maps to use on your Lowrance device. It allows you to overlay vege-tation, bottom composition and access community data via the Social Mapping Layer. For anglers skilled at reading maps, this could provide a huge ad-vantage during tournament fishing. In the above example the user mapped a complete lake and uploaded it to the Insight Genesis Social Map. You can also download the custom map to your chart plotter. The map created below

has a few holes; Insight Genesis allows you to go back and map the holes and merge the data to create complete maps. The map created is a true 1’ contour map that’s completely ac-curate. Vegetation data is also included as a map layer. For fisher-men that want to find lake vegetation, this is an ideal tool to quickly locate these areas. If soil composition is important, there’s a map layer for that. You can easily find hard or soft bottoms in all mapped areas. Continued on page 18.

The above photo shows the tracks used to generate the custom lake map.


14/15 Tournament Season

Regular Tournaments

Sep 6 Wolf Lake

Oct 25 Grenada BMO

Nov 15 Enid

Dec 13 Chotard/Eagle

Jan 17 Okatibbee

Feb 21 Washington

Mar 21 Grenada & BMO

Apr 11 Barnett BMO

May 9 Sardis

June 12-13 Finals Batesville

Minimum participation level for Post-Season qualifi-cation is to enter 7 tournaments and earn at least 90 points. You get 10 points for entering and 1 point per pound of weighed in fish.

Ok teams, it’s time for Splash-4-Cash. Again this year we wel-come Kevin & Chris Horton as our S4C Coordinators. These guys have the tickets and as you know each member is responsible for one book (25) tickets at $5.00 each. New rule change this year, every two books of tickets you sell after your initial required two books, your team will receive a free tournament entry for one tournament. Kevin & Chris will be glad to answer any questions you may have concerning Splash-4-Cash. This is one of our few fund-raisers that we use to fund the MCC Finals. The finals location & date have been set, so plan on fishing Sardis / Enid next June. Our finals are the biggest payouts of the year. Each day of the 2-day tournament is just like a single day’s tournament, plus if your combined weight is the heavi-est, you win another $500. You can contact Chris or Kevin for ques-tions. Thank you Kevin and Chris. Kevin Horton - C: 662-588-5379 - [email protected] Chris Horton - C: 662-515-1363 - [email protected]

Kevin & Chris Horton—Splash-4-Cash Coordinators

President, Kenneth Middleton 662-907-4080

Vice President, Bernard Williams 601-454-0196

Sec/Treasurer, Paula Nowell 601-917-1787

Tournament Dir., Michael Nowell 601-917-1787

Weigh-Master, Larry Nipper 662-827-7470

Imm Past President Paul Johnson 601-624-0359

Director 2015 - Don Terry 601-291-2987

Director 2015 - Brad Chappell 601-317-6681

Director 2015 - Ricky Smith 601-757-5406

Director 2016 - Jimmy Smith 601-757-1142

Director 2016 - John Harrison 662-983-5999

Director 2016 - Charles Lindsay 601-624-6348

Director 2017 - Tommy Moss 601-260-6267

Director 2017 - Terry Stewart 601-502-5699

Director 2017 - Rod Womack 601-942-8907

MCC Governing Board 2014-15


Continued from page 16 Custom Lake Mapping – Easy as One, Two, Three You can also add your waypoints to your custom map for places of interest. To me creating my custom maps is kind of like making your own jigs. It feels so good when you catch a fish with either.

Follow along as I take you step by step in the map creation process. It’s not a complicated procedure. If you miss a step simply backup to the last step and follow the instructions closely.

1 - Data Collection Data will be collected using SD cards and Lowrance HDS GEN2 with built-in Broadband and Structure

Scan Sounder. I recommend carrying or storing two 4GB+ SD cards to mitigate lost, damaged, corrupt or full cards. I

recommend logging no longer than two hours per file. Note the depth of the transducer under the surface of the water. The difference can be applied as a post-

process offset

Recommended Boat Path for Data Collection Drive the boat in a crisscross design of the recorded area and if possible with one transect looping the

near shore area. Minimum spacing between paths should be based on size of water body: By default Insight Genesis creates 36 foot grid cells and will create blank interpolated outputs greater

than 75 feet from the trip path.

Size of the Body of Water Minimum Spacing <5 Acres 15 Feet

5-10 Acres 30 Feet 10-20 Acres 45 Feet 20-30 Acres 60 Feet >30 Acres 120 Feet


2 - Upload — Continued from page 18 Once your sonar log is recorded, the files can be saved to your computer or uploaded directly from the SD card. Files are uploaded using the Insight Genesis Upload Tool that is downloaded from the Insight Genesis tab in your Insight

Genesis account. Once installed, the Upload Tool will show an icon on your computer desktop. Double-click this icon to launch the tool. After launching the Upload Tool, click on the “Select Files” button to select the collected log files (*.slg or *. Sl2 files) that

you have on your SD card or have saved to your computer. Time required to upload and process the files will depend on a number of factors including the size of the file (distance

traveled, data points collected), size of the area surveyed, and internet connection speed. An email will be sent to you once processing is complete, generally within 30 minutes after the upload has completed.

View Map When you are ready to view your map you will be notified 3 different ways. You will receive an e-mail, a notification will appear at the top of your Insight Genesis account and your map will be viewable under your Insight Genesis tab. Once inside the Insight Genesis Dashboard you will see a list of all the trips that have been uploaded to your account, with the most recent at the top.

3 - Download In order to take a map to your boat, follow the prompts to Save File after you have put an empty SD card in your comput-er’s card reader. Save the file to the SD card. Make sure there is only a single AT5 file on the SD card, since multiple AT5s on an SD card can cause Read Errors on some Lowrance units. To create a Map for use on your chart plotter (*.AT5), follow the prompts to choose from the available choices, based on subscription level, and then click Generate. Within a couple of minutes the process will complete. Click on the Save button and a dialog box will appear. Once the file is on the SD card, double click the file you created (*.exe) and Extract the files to the same SD chip. Now the map is ready to be inserted in your Lowrance chart plotter. Once the map is in the chart plotter the unit will automatically open the map. Now that was easy. Good Luck. Bernard


Roadrunners and Charlie Brewer Sliders Rock in the Crappie Masters National Championship By Bernard Williams

Crappie Masters held their National Championship in Greenville, Mississippi, September 26th and 27th. The Magnolia Crappie Club team of David Thornton and Shelton Culpepper finished 5th with a 20.32# two-day

weight pushing 1/16th ounce Roadrunners and 1 1/2" Crappie/Panfish Grub Grass Hopper. Culpepper and Thornton are well known crappie guides in and around Vicksburg, MS, guiding on some of the best crappie waters of the MS River Oxbows. The team pre-fished Lake Washington and Lake Lee and found their better fish in Lake Lee.

“We found our better fish in 15’ to 20’ feet of water, fishing 7’ to 8’ deep. The green / chartreuse and the white / chartreuse sliders were the ticket. We would hit some spots and catch multiple fish at one time. Several times I netted a fish with one in the net. We tried other soft plastics but none would produce the size fish we needed for the tournament. We pushed our rigs between 1.1 and 1.3 mph. It was like power-trolling. We used 16’ B’n’M BGJP poles with 1/4th ounce egg sinkers be-

tween the baits.” David says. This team is no stranger to the Crappie Masters National Championship. Both team members have followed the Crappie Masters tournament trail from Florida, Tennessee, Kentucky and Mississippi.

“Shelton and I are retired, we love crappie fishing. We were longtime board members with Magnolia Crappie Club with me serving as weigh-master and Shelton serving as vice-president for over 8 years. We both fish out of 20’ Triton Crappie Boats,” says David. I asked Shelton what was his favorite crappie fishing technique. “I love single pole jig fishing. Fishing a tournament like the championship requires us to change

that to utilize the 8-pole limit. It changes my style from feeling the ‘thump’ to watching the pole tips or a bite,” says Shelton.

“I’ve always loved the action a slider produced; I’ve won a bunch of tournaments pushing sliders. I think it’s one of the best soft plastic baits on the market. When I combine a slider on the back of a roadrunner, crappie will hit it for nothing more than a reaction strike”, says David. Shelton says, “I like to add a minnow or crappie

nibble to my setup when the bite slows. I think it’s the scent trail that brings the strike”, says Shelton. “We had over 160 teams of professional crappie fishermen from all over the country fishing the championship; you had to have a strategy for both days. If anyone knows, it’s hard to pattern oxbow fish. They’ll be here today and at the other end of the lake tomorrow. We were able to find good fish and stay on them for 2 days. It was grueling work; we had to get up around 3am each day and get our boat in the water ahead of over 60 teams launching out of one ramp. We believed Lake Lee had the best fish in the area. We pre-fished Wash-ington, Lee, Ferguson, and Whittington. After comparing our results, we both agreed that Lake Lee would be our go-to-spot”, says David.

So what advice can you give other fishermen about catching fish on these river oxbows? David says, “Get you some 1/16th ounce roadrunners and some Charlie Brewer Sliders and get started. It’s not complicated, kinda simple. The key to the entire situation is patience”. Knowing David and Shelton like I do, they’re telling the truth now, just don’t trust what they say before the tournament. They’re known to stretch the truth at times or worse not tell you anything. I can’t blame them in most cases. Again I say congratulations to my friends. Bernard…

David Thornton & Shelton Culpepper on the Hot-Seat with a 2-day total of 20.32#’s. Congratulations from MCC.


MCC member Brad Taylor with his new partner Allie Bre. This team is no joke, Allie caught the big fish at Sardis last year and finished 2nd in he Big Fish Split for the 1st half season.

James and Trace Carpenter of Winona finished 11th with 12.17#’s. Trace & James are veteran MCC members. Trace was the recipient of the Elite Fisherman of the Year for 2014 Season.

2014/2015 MCC Membership Application / BMO Registration Form

Membership fees waived for partners (children) that are school age or younger. Please make check(s) payable to Magnolia Crappie Club. Please read the paragraph below, sign and date. Both partnersshould read the following carefully and sign this form to be legitimate members:

BECAUSE CONDITIONS OF FOG, LOW LIGHT, WIND, WATER DEPTH, AND WAVE ACTION VARYGREATLY FROM ONE LAUNCH SITE TO ANOTHER ON ANY GIVEN BODY OF WATER. THEMAGNOLIA CRAPPIE CLUB URGES ALL TEAMS NOT TO LAUNCH THEIR BOAT UNTIL THE TEAMMEMBERS THEMSELVES HAVE DETERMINED THAT SAFE BOATING CONDITIONS EXISTREGARDLESS OF THE START TIME OF MAGNOLIA CRAPPIE CLUB TOURNAMENT.

Partner Signature: ____________________________________________ Date:__________________

Partner Signature: ____________________________________________ Date:__________________

Mail to:MCC3616 Kim DriveLauderdale, MS 39335

Kenneth Middleton II, President - 662-907-4080Michael Nowell, Tournament Director- 601-917-1787

Name: Name:

Addr: Addr:

City:

Zip:State: Zip:State:

City:

Home: Cell: Cell:Home:

Fishing Member $50.00 Newsletter ONLY $35.00 Newsletter ONLY $35.00Fishing Member $50.00

PARTNER # 1 PARTNER # 2

Email: Email:

BIG MAMA OPEN REGISTRATION - $100.00

Check Here if You & Your Partner will Fish the Big Mama Open - $100.00

MCC GRENADA CLUB TOURNAMENT REGISTRATION

Check Here if You & Your Partner will Fish the Grenada Club Tournament - $100.00 - Membership Required

Release and Waiver of Liability

Magnolia Crappie Club

By signing this document, I am certifying that I have fully read, acknowledge, and understand the following:

1. I have read and agree to abide by the current Rules & Regulations of The Magnolia Crappie Club, to include beingsubject to a Boat Inspection and a Polygraph Test.

2. I am aware that operating or riding in motor boats and participating in tournaments poses potentially serious risksof injuries or death. I am aware of the intrinsic dangers of boating and fishing activities. I understand that I may beinjured or die as a result of my negligence, the negligence of others, or through no fault of myself or anyone else,because of the nature of the activity in which I am going to be engaged. I understand that acts of God and theactions of other participants are often unpredictable and uncontrollable.

3. This waiver shall remain valid unless expressly revoked by the participant or parent or guardian of a minor, inwriting, with receipt acknowledged by an officer of The Magnolia Crappie Club.

4. With the knowledge of the foregoing, and as an inducement for The Magnolia Crappie Club to allow me toparticipate in all tournaments from September 2014-July 2015 season. I hereby agree to waive or release any andall rights that I or my heirs may have to make a claim against The Magnolia Crappie Club, it's Governing Board ofOfficers and Directors, employees, and it's sponsors, arising from any damages, injury, or death which I mightsustain or which might occur from any damages, injury, or death which I might sustain. I further agree toindemnify and hold harmless all of the foregoing from any claims which I might make or which might be made onmy behalf by others or which might be made against me by others, arising from participation in fishingtournaments. Furthermore, I agree to indemnify The Magnolia Crappie Club, its Governing Board of Officers andDirectors, employees, and its sponsors, for any injury, death, loss or damage to any personal property which mightoccur during a Magnolia Crappie Club activity or social function sponsored by the Club or held in its behalf or for itsbenefit.

5. I understand that this waiver is valid for all “fruit jar” fishing tournaments, regular season tournaments, and allactivities or social functions sponsored by the Club or held in its behalf or for its benefit in which I participate forthe entire season of 2014-2015 and a separate waiver for each event in which I participate will not be necessary.

___________________________ ____________ ___________________________ ____________

Participant Date Participant Date

Parent or Guardian Release or Waiver

I am the parent or guardian of ____________________________, a minor(s), and on the minor's behalf and on mybehalf and on behalf of all other parents or guardians of the minor, I accept the release and waiver of liability at the top ofthis form as inducement for allowing my child, or this minor to participate in fishing tournaments and all activities or socialfunctions sponsored by the Club or held in its behalf or for its benefit in which this minor participates for the entire seasonof 2014-2015. I further authorize any emergency medical care which may be necessary. I represent and warrant that I havethe authority to give this release.

_____________________________ ______________

Parent or Guardian Date

2014-15 Sponsorship Program

The MAGNOLIA CRAPPIE CLUB is a Mississippi State chartered non-profit fishing organization. This is our 24th year. We appreciate our sponsors returning every year with their financial support of our club. Your sponsorships are used to sup-port all our club functions including our Civic Projects and our Post Season Payouts. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR SUPPORT.

ULTIMATE SPONSOR-- $5,000 per year

ThIS top-level sponsor will receive at least four full pages of advertisement in the club’s newsletter. Every $5,000 Sponsor will receive two free member-ships, and we encourage you to use these memberships to enter a team in all our regular tournaments. Additionally, we will waive tournament entry fees and tournament maintenance fees for $5000 Ultimate Sponsored teams. We will display your logo prominently on our new tournament trailer. $5,000 sponsors are given top panel space on our heavily-visited website for a Logo Link.

EXCLUSIVE EVENT SPONSORS-- $2,500 per year & EVENT SPONSORS -- $1,500 per year

These sponsors will receive at least two full pages of advertisement in the club’s newsletter immediately preceding the sponsored event. For every $2,500 or $1,500 Sponsorship you will receive two free memberships, and we encourage you to use these memberships to enter a team in all our regu-lar tournaments. Additionally, we will waive tournament entry fees and tournament maintenance fees for $2,500 Exclusive Event Sponsored teams. We will display your logo prominently on our new tournament trailer. $2500 sponsors are given top panel space on our heavily-visited website for a Logo Link. $1500 sponsors are given Logo Link space on our right side panel.

SPECIAL SPONSOR-- $1,000 per year

We will give you two free memberships for the year and encourage you to use these memberships to enter a team in all our events. Special Sponsors may choose to run one full page ad per year in two issues of our newsletter. Your company-supplied logos will be displayed on our new tournament trailer. $1000 sponsors are given Logo Link space on our right side panel on our club’s website.

PLATINUM SPONSOR -- $500 per year

We will give you two free memberships for the year and encourage you to use these memberships to enter a team in all our events. Platinum Sponsors may choose to run ½ page ad per year in two issues of our newsletter. $500 sponsors are given Logo Link space on our left side panel website.

MAJOR SPONSOR -- $275 per year

Major Sponsors may choose to run one ½ page ad per year in our newsletter.

PATRON SPONSOR -- $150 per year

Patron Sponsors may choose to run one ¼ page ad per year in our newsletter.

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Sponsor Form

Do you wish to place a Logo Link on our club’s website?_______yes ______no

Do you wish to place a display ad in our newsletter? ______ yes _____no

(If yes, please provide ad or logo to MCC member.)

Date:____________________

Company Name:______________________________________ Sponsor contact person:___________________________

Address:_____________________________________ City:__________________________ State:_______ Zip:_________

Phone:___________________ e-mail address:____________________________ MCC Member: _____________________________________

Please check one: ____$5,000 Ultimate Sponsor ____$2,500 Exclusive Event Sponsor ____$1,500 Event Sponsor

____$1,000 Special Sponsor ____$500 Platinum Sponsor ____$275 Major Sponsor ____$150 Patron

Please mail to—

Magnolia Crappie Club

3616 Kim Dr.

Lauderdale, MS 39335

662-907-4080, 601-917-1787

601-454-0196

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