Are We Finally Getting a Real Crappie Spawn in the Mobile-Tensaw?

This week on the Mobile-Tensaw Delta Fishing Report, Nick Williams checks in with two longtime Delta voices to talk crappie season, conservation concerns, and a youth deer story that’s going to be told for decades.

The episode opens with Josh Gunter of Steele Creek Bait & Tackle, who breaks down why this year could finally give anglers a true, fishable crappie spawn after nearly a decade of high water disrupting access to traditional spawning areas. Josh dives into crappie spawn fundamentals for the Delta, including the key water temperature range of roughly 58 to 62 degrees that triggers movement. He explains the behavioral differences between black and white crappie, noting that black crappie typically move shallower first and relate to hard bottom, cypress trees, and visible structure, while white crappie may spawn slightly deeper as long as sunlight can reach the eggs. The segment wraps with a strong endorsement of supporting local bait shops and a look at Steele Creek’s new location in the historic Northside Tackle building, plus details about their upcoming grand reopening and raffle fundraiser to help rebuild their Mount Vernon store.

In the second half of the show, Nick checks in with Dip McMillan of Dippi Outdoors for both a fishing report and a feel-good youth hunting story. Dip shares details about a remarkable 136-inch buck harvested in Baldwin County by one of the youth hunters in his program, calling it one of the most impressive deer he’s seen taken locally. He reflects on a strong youth season overall and the importance of creating meaningful outdoor experiences for kids.

Switching back to fishing, Dip reports that crappie are still suspended in roughly 20 feet of water, holding 10 to 13 feet down in creek channels. Many of the fish he’s targeting are roamers rather than tightly relating to structure, and he explains how forward-facing sonar allows him to quickly identify active fish and avoid wasting time. He notes that while he caught plenty of solid 10- to 12-inch fish, the larger females may be beginning to shift positions as water temperatures gradually climb. The episode closes with details about Dippy Outdoors’ upcoming youth rabbit hunt in Loxley and a reminder that spring in the Delta means opportunity in every direction, from crappie to catfish to turkeys in the hardwoods.

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