Page 10 - Crappie NOW - July 2018
P. 10
Story & photos by Tim Huffman
June 15-16. Truman Lake, MO. There were 105 teams competing at Truman
“This tournament,” says Crappie Lake. The pre-tournament meeting included
Masters President, Mike Vallentine, “is special registration, give-away drawings and review
in many ways. First, it’s a good jigging lake. of the rules.
It’s full of visible and invisible cover. Crappie
relate to it. It’s also one of our two, one-pole
tournaments, so it’s important for anyone was the first thing I heard when arriving.
wanting to do well in the points race. The “They shut down. The fishing should be great
tournament itself is unique because it puts right now but it isn’t.” The truth was that even
everyone on a level playing field. Jig fishermen though the bite had slowed, some fishermen
are not competing against spider riggers. It’s were still catching a few good crappie, but
not jigs against minnows. It’s everyone using work, time, effort and a little luck was required
one pole and artificial baits. Numbers don’t to catch them.
lie and they show this tournament is very
popular each year with our fishermen. Intro/Basics
A 105-boat tournament is big for
Truman Lake is best known for two today’s national crappie tournaments.
things. First, it’s among the top three vertical Crappie Masters holding a one-pole event at
jigging lakes in the country. Two, it’s one of the Truman has proven to be a favorite of many
few lakes that gets better as the temperature competitive fishermen. The top five places
gets hotter. Crappie Masters has combined paid a total of over $20,000 in cash, prizes
the two elements for an annual one-pole, and bonuses.
artificial bait only tournament. The tournament was not for the weak.
Temperatures reached the low to mid-90s
10 Crappie NOW July 2018
