Discover Secrets of Landing Giant Summertime Crappie at Lake Eufaula!

  • Summer Crappies are hungry, big, fight hard, and are tasty on the dinner table.
  • The key to finding summer crappie is using a hi-tech sonar process.
  • Minnows or jig tail baits work; there are secrets to working them for a strike.
Plastic jig tails fished on red jig heads was the hot ticket for one of our Lake Eufaula fishing trips. Some jigs resemble minnows, others appear as bottom creatures, still others as nymphs hatching from the lake bottom to escape to the surface. The retrieve sets the tone. Any and all, it’s food for crappie. Jigs work!

By Forrest Fisher

Get the fishing rods ready! Join us as we embark on an adrenaline-pumping adventure into the heart of Lake Eufaula, where monstrous crappie roam the depths, ready to put up a fierce fight. We share the thrilling tactics uncovered by seasoned anglers to hook up with limits of these behemoths. Learn how to outsmart these cunning creatures for the ultimate slab crappie conquest.

When the water warms up in the summertime, warmwater fish species seek the comfort of deeper water and shade – crappie included. In the Black Belt Region of Central Alabama at Lake Eufaula, the summertime crappie eat more and get bigger each day. They become tasty rod-benders!

From heart-pounding battles with rod-bending crappie to the tranquil beauty of the Alabama wilderness, a visit to Lake Eufaula is not just a fishing trip – it’s an expedition into the wild unknown. Get ready to witness eagles soaring overhead, encounter other majestic wildlife, and immerse yourself in the untamed beauty of Lake Eufaula and the beauty of nearby wilderness.

Yours truly with a Lake Eufaula crappie; they are so wide and hefty, making for a great tussle at the boat and a tasty meal at the table. Imagine 30 of these in the live well.

Also called Lake Walter F. George, Lake Eufaula is an impoundment on the Chattahoochee River, created in 1963 by the Army Corps of Engineers behind the lock and dam at Fort Gaines, Georgia. The reservoir is a primary fishery for anglers from near and far, forming the southern boundary between Georgia and Alabama. While fishermen frequently target bass and channel catfish here, the village of Eufaula is a visitor-friendly Alabama destination. Located west of Atlanta, Georgia, and south of Birmingham, Alabama, anglers meet here to find the biggest crappies in the country all year long. There is major bass tournament action-from Eufaula too. Hotels, motels, campgrounds, fish camps, great diners and restaurants, and many bait/tackle shops and taxidermy shops sweeten the surprise for visitors.

Lake Eufaula fishing guide, Eddie Whitehead, with one more slab from the Eufaula deep near Lakepoint Resort State Park.

In short, if it’s your first time here, it pays to rent a guide service. Experience the thrill of exploring 45,000 acres of open water, teeming with life, while enjoying the comfort of top-notch accommodations. We stayed in a cabin on the water at Lakepoint Resort State Park. Each morning and evening, I didn’t fight the adrenaline rush as we teamed up with expert guides who led us to the hottest fishing spots. They explained how they were using cutting-edge sonar technology (Humminbird Helix 12 and Mega-Live FFS) to pinpoint the elusive crappie lurking beneath the surface. We searched for fished in 8 to 28 feet depth of water.

Despite the popularity from the bass fishing tournaments that come here, I feel that this area in Alabama is something of a well-kept secret, as the number of boats on the water is minimal.

I can’t help but reminisce about our incredible adventure at Lakepoint Resort State Park! The 2-bedroom cabin was nothing short of amazing, equipped with all the comforts of home, air conditioned, and with a stunning view of the lake. Upon arrival, we were greeted by warm-hearted Jalissa Jones, Lakepoint Resort Hotel Administrator, who shared details, directions and fascinating stories about the State Park.

Our days were filled with thrilling fishing excursions led by legendary guides such as Tony Adams, Eddie Whitehead, and Mayor Jack Tibbs. These experts took us on a whirlwind tour of the lake, using their hi-speed boats, top-notch equipment, and expert knowledge to guide us to the best fishing spots. It was incredible to witness their use of advanced sonar technology to locate the perfect fishing spots. Their simple, yet effective, fishing techniques left us in awe.

GUIDE SERVICES: Tony Adams (334-695-3003) of “Gone Fishing with Tony Charters,” Eddie Whitehead (334-530-8878) of “Eufaula Lake Guide Services,” and Mayor Jack Tibbs (334-695-3765) of “Fishing with the Mayor” fishing services.”

B’n’M Fishing rods for crappie range from 6 feet to 12 feet in length, most with a 100 series open-face spinning reel loaded with 6-pound test monofilament in chartreuse color.

From the breathtaking views of the lake to pulse-pumping fishing expeditions, our time at Lakepoint Resort State Park was nothing short of extraordinary. It was an adventure that filled our hearts with excitement and left us with unforgettable memories.

In addition to using simple live minnows lipped hooked to a size 2 gold-plated Model 202 Eagle Claw hook with a split-shot a foot above, we used plastic-tailed jigs too. Using 1/32 to 1/16 ounce painted jig heads with a size 4 hook, these were also quite effective. In one area, I cast my jig about 20 feet from the bottom structure and let it slowly fall to the bottom and sit there for 10 or 15 seconds; then I ripped the jig up a foot or so swiftly and let it settle again, briefly, only a second or two. Then followed with a gentle lift of the rod to slide the jig slowly on the bottom, and many times (four times in a row in one case), a fish had sucked up the jig for a meal, and it was…Fish On! Fun times! Some of the jig-caught fish checked the scale at over 2 pounds.

Each of the charters costs $350 without tip, and let me tell you, that’s a bargain! They were worth every penny. The daily bag limit of crappie is 30 per person, and the guides usually toss back anything under 10 inches, and you

Fishing guide Tony Adams with a usual half-day crappie stringer of crappie, placed on a stringer for this picture. They usually go into the live well and into the cooler filled with ice in the truck. Richard Simms photo

often have a limit is less than 3 hours. These crappies are wide, chunky, and beautiful. The best part is that there are so many crappie here. I’m happy we fished with a guide to learn about presentation and gear and to share some incredible Southern jokes.

The warm Southern Hospitality and the friendly local people made the whole experience unforgettable. I can’t wait to return; it may be tomorrow!

About Eufaula, Alabama: Mayor Jack Tibbs, a fisherman and hunter, believes the town should be considered the “Fishing Lure Capital of the World.” The village is home to numerous fishing lure companies, including Strike Zone Lures, Manns Bait Company, Big Bite Baits, Southern Plastics, and others, and it is the home of Humminbird Electronics. Many say it should be called the “Bass Capital of the World” because of the number of world-class bass tournaments held here. The area is historic, with southern plantation-style homes along Main Street and adjoining areas. Visit https://www.eufaulachamber.com or call 1-800-524-7529 for information and a guidebook on the region. Learn more about fishing in the Alabama Black Belt region through the Alabama Black Belt Adventure Association.