River fishing presents an entirely different challenge. "You'll spend a heck of a lot more time looking for crappie if you're fishing for them on the river," Woodruff says. "Crappie don't like being in the current so you'll need to search for them in calm water - up in the creeks, oxbows, sloughs and other backwater areas. I believe the larger crappie seem to stay close to the entrance of these type places."

Woodruff uses what he calls "a mini-rig for big crappie" for his presentation rig. That's a Pinnacle T2 spinning reel/rod combo. This ultralight gear is usually best as it allows the sensitivity often needed to detect the gentle tap of the fish inhaling your offering. One very old and popular method for using minnows is the cane pole and slip cork technique. Since so much of crappie fishing is done in or near brush or standing trees, this method allows the angler the freedom to carefully "doodle" his minnow in just the exact spot. The length of the cane pole added to the weight of the minnow, sinker and cork on the line makes it easy. While many anglers get their kicks watching their cork take off running, an equal number live for the anticipation of the slightest of taps.

Jigs from 1/64- to 1/16-ounce are most popular. And while a great number of anglers prefer to bait with minnows, Woodruff prefers using a 1/32-ounce jig head with a tiny tube jig attached. His color preference varies with the season, but always includes some chartreuse. "I prefer solid chartreuse, green and chartreuse, or white and chartreuse jigs in the spring, but during the fall I use purple and chartreuse."

If you are fishing the right spot, you may expect to lose some lures. While the brush attracts the fish, it all too often becomes the new and permanent home of many jigs. The more serious the angler, the more you'll be likely to find a lure mold, appropriate hooks and jig-tying equipment in their game room or garage.

Not only do you want to have lots of jigs with you but you'll also want to have lots of the same color and weight. Whether due to reality or superstition, crappie often seem to want just one particular color on that particular day in that particular body of water. If you run out of the jigs and your fishing buddy doesn't, you might have a hard time getting him to lend you some. There are few things worse than sitting idle while your fishing partner brings in fish after fish, rubbing it in all the while.

Woodruff is just as particular about the size of the fishing line he uses, spooling his reel with 6- to 8-pound-test line. By using the larger dimension 8-pound line he can handle bigger fish and his presentation is better. "If I use larger line, my bait just doesn't seem to fall through the water the way I want it to."

Lakes with a healthy population of crappie usually have an overabundance of anglers as well. Texas lakes get a lot of fishing pressure, and some lakes can be overfished for crappie. This is particularly true at the state's larger reservoirs and other popular lakes. To ensure good populations of crappie at the lakes getting too much fishing pressure, the Texas Parks & Wildlife Commission has implemented more stringent crappie regulations and has begun stocking fish to supplement the natural reproduction. Anglers are encouraged to practice catch-and-release on overfished waters.

"Catch-and-release can be just as important to crappie fishing as it is to bass fishing," Woodruff says. "You don't have to take home a limit of crappie every time you go fishing. Don't take any more than you plan to eat."

When's the best time to be on the water? "Unless it below freezing or going to be 100 degrees, I seldom leave the ramp before about 7 a.m.," says Woodruff. "The best fishing for crappie takes place between 7 and 10 in the morning and from about 3 to 6 in the afternoon. You should get your best bites during those time frames."

And Woodruff's No. 1 rule in crappie fishing is: "Don't spend a lot of time in one place unless you're on a strong bite. Keep moving until you find fish, and if the fish you find are small, you have to make up your mind whether they're big enough to keep fishing there or whether you should move on and find bigger ones. If you catch a nice crappie make a mental note and return to that spot."

Crappie is found throughout the state in virtually every type of water. They are aggressive feeders so you can harvest them a little easier than other species. In addition to being one of the most sought-after and most-caught species, crappie also are some of the tastiest fish found in Texas.

The 3-pound slabsides, the one whose paper-thin mouth bears the scars from last year's tear-away is probably the thing that keeps the most avid of crappie anglers going. However, the pleasure of catching a barn-door crappie may actually be exceeded by the pleasure of eating it. Crappie fillets, fresh from the skillet will meet any hungry gourmet's approval.