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.

Crappie school is in session, and the professors are ready. Though I'm no expert when it comes to finding and catching crappie, I have shared the boat with a passel of guys who are masters at the art ...