This Rig Is Crappie Candy!

Spring kayak fishing for crappie and panfish on a quiet little lake! It's tough to beat a slip bobber and small jig and plastic combo this time of year when those fish are up shallow. We find a whole bunch of crappie, bluegill, and hybrid sunfish on this trip!
NDYakAngler merch: shorturl.at/jwCLR
Gear used on this trip:
Lure: VMC Mongo jig amzn.to/3UYW3Nw
Nikko stonefly
Rod: St Croix LT Walleye 5'9" M XF (discontinued)
Reel: Abu Garcia Revo MGX 20 amzn.to/3ObJMDT
Line: Trilene XL 6lb amzn.to/3nUq4BC
Pliers: Umpqua Rivergrip amzn.to/3MoV0mQ
Anchor: Power Pole Micro amzn.to/3MmmKsj

[@couponvillage]

Old guy here. Used to live in the north, now in Florida. Miss the small lakes, rivers, etc. The birds and birdsongs - redwing blackbirds, even the geese, really trigger the memory banks. Thanks for providing good stuff!

[@waltersteffensthezr2man431]

Same story my friend!! Born and raised in northwestern Michigan now living in Florida! Miss those lakes and memories.

[@LtPickles]

But now you have big largemouth and peacock bass to chase

[@IknowyoulikeNUTZ]

​@@LtPickles your right! I forgot Florida bass grow bigger than northern bass!

[@huskergator9479]

Excellent as always Mr Matt! Interesting to see the wheels for your yak. I snorted when you said you looked like a nerd with your pants tucked in. There isn’t a regular viewer who thinks you’re a nerd. Fish whisperer, smally smasher, pike playa, musky magician, etc. Those are the descriptors that come to mind. Thanks for taking us along!!

[@StonerCreek74]

After 40 years of Bass fishing and all the expensive gear, it still gets me excited to see a simple bobber go under which is something I haven't used in years.

[@Shudaba]

I agree man. That's why I always have one rod, rigged with a thill slip bobber. Little plastic, bread, slim Jim, random bugs or classic night crawler. Panfish will always kill a skunky day.

[@CallMeTopes]

bob ross of fishing

[@gavinvo410]

The most repeated comment ever, and it will never get stale

[@MikeYurbasovich]

Never heard that before😂

[@antoniomora1255]

@@gavinvo410Certainly it never gets stale despite the repetition. As an European myself I didn’t have a clue who this guy Bob Ross was at all and prompted me to find out. Quite a discovery indeed! A genius of painting this Bob Ross!!! And a most appropriate comparison to our friend Matt Nelson.

[@Thewoodlandworkshop]

That’s not a snag, that’s a happy little accident 😂

[@ijgorbun]

He should change it to be his channel name.

[@htuckey]

We used to get into big schools of Crappie on Black Lake, in northern NY. Great eating! Thanks again for keeping this old dude going! I just got some 10 inch bull worms in the mail this morning, and planning to spend a week with my little brother on the St Lawrence early in July. He's 78, and we still manage to have some fishing fun, mostly for bass and catfish on the river.

[@paultharp4626]

You ever hear them referred to as Strawberry Bass in that region?

[@htuckey]

@@paultharp4626 No, I've heard the term, but not applied to our Black Crappies. I think it's more of a down south name.

[@regis360q]

Great weather over here in Massachusetts lately, got some time off for memorial day and thinking of heading to a good spot in my area for bass and crappie, occasionally perch. Glad everything's clearing up weatherwise. Happy fishing, everyone!

[@TheNodontdoit]

2 years ago I got a kayak and started to get recommend your videos. This year I’m into my first full soft water fishing season. Thanks for inspiring me to try this amazing hobby.

[@jefebeans1486]

Catching up on your videos again. Certain KZbinrs make this life better. You sir are one of them. God Bless Matt.

[@christinerogers5331]

I can't think of something I'd rather be doing than having a good cup of coffee while watching Matt slay the slabs on a beautiful, peaceful lake, thanks Matt! Take care and be safe!

[@ronaldkulas5748]

Crappie is my favorite fish. I love the subtle bite and I like finding them. Once found they are fairly cooperative. Fun!

[@joshuadavis8230]

Wish I had more access to boat free waters! That looked and sounded peaceful!! Thanx for taking us!!!

[@ndyakangler]

I really like those carry in launch lakes! More often than not I have the lake to myself.

[@mattskiii63]

Love Saturday mornings with Matt. 👍👍👍

[@antoniomora1255]

How punctual! At exactly 3:00 pm (Spanish summer time) I got this video. Later on the day I'll watch It, of course!

[@drcrap118]

Love that you had the lake pretty much all to yourself, the constant bird songs made it the best soundtrack to a day of slamming the panfish. Awesome.

[@geordiejones2]

Hi NDYakAngler, Im Chris in the UK, my friend you use the most odd lures and baits there in the USA, but my friend THEY WORK, love your clips/vlogs. Chris.

[@oakdogfu]

LOW WATER?!! SoCal has full reservoirs and resurrected lakes. All the best, Angler.

[@garvindreis]

I live in central minnesota, we went through a extreme drought last summer through fall and got no snow all winter. We have only now started getting some decent rain.

[@NorthWoodsWes]

Yup. Northeast MN here. Lake levels are just starting to rise.

[@ronaldmatros9890]

Enjoy your technic. I tried a tungsten jig with nikko wax worms and a small split shot, no bobber. I'm 68 and I felt like a kid. Great fun.

[@garvindreis]

Hey NDYakAngler, im happy to announce that my haunting of Facebook Marketplace has netted me with a $600 Old Town Topwater 120. I should be getting the old 798ci HD mounted on monday. Im excited to get out and fish again. It came with a anchor trolley and a crait

[@BrandonBrandmaker-km3fz]

Gorgeous fishing spot and love how it feels like I’m right there with ya man awesome work 😎🎣

[@janeskinner1949]

I have a acre pond. And I have several Crappies that are 14+ inches. I caught them from a different pond and they were about 11 inches a piece now there over 14.

[@trentk268]

I love crappie! They go right into my frying pan!

[@antoniomora1255]

It’s hard to think of just one thing to make this video even better. The gorgeous lake, that overcast sky, the close ups of the fish caught (those interesting comments about the possible hybrids!)…and most important to me: a detailed description of the gear and lures used (brand, size…Close up image of the package). And also what you don’t find: awful unnerving music, stupid screaming…Only the relaxing sound of paddling, the fish splashing…the birds chirping…the marvelous sounds of Mother Nature. Very appropriately someone wrote “fishing vicariously through Matt”. I see many other fishing channels on KZbin and this is the best to me hands down.

[@scottspradau3067]

What a beautiful day/spot for a little crappie fishing. Always a safe bet to play with the wind/breeze. Can’t wait to get out there myself and do the same. Thanks for bringing us along…see you next time!

[@UniverseAvalon]

I just came across this channel this week and goodness thank you for posting content! So relaxing and informative. Fish on!

[@thunderwang4832]

Keep 'em coming, Matt!! Thanks for the content and whoop whoop on all the fish caught. I look forward to your new posts. Cheers!

[@rayhollingsworth2588]

Nice crappie!! 👍 those bluegill are pretty impressive too!

[@mikepollock8295]

Tots of great crappie and blue gill catches! Great video Matt thanks for taking us along! See you next adventure!

[@tbh334]

I just want to say that you and another fishing channel have greatly encouraged me to get back into fishing after a long hiatus successful and fun fishing so far here in the south. Thank you for the great content

[@Strykenine]

Crappie has always been my favorite pan-fried fish. As far as catch and eat in the same place I think they're tough to beat.

[@eberfish6116]

Congratulations on the incredible work you have done on the channel! It's inspiring to see your dedication and passion for sport fishing. Each video is a valuable lesson, full of tips and teachings that really make a difference. Keep it up, your effort in sharing knowledge is admirable and I'm sure you're helping many fishermen to improve their techniques. Success always!"

[@southsideronnie]

I thought you might get that pike. At the very least you had a good day of fishing! Thank you for sharing!!

[@davidherth2497]

Another excellent video enjoying the great outdoors on the water! Many youtubers get so in depth with their tactics on their videos that it takes you away from the whole experience. I really like how you give a quick explanation of why you are fishing the spot that you are, and get back to enjoying what you are doing and taking us along. Also, if you have been around tics you know tucking the pants into the socks is a good tip! That's part of fishing, some kind of bug always trying to bite you lol.

[@GLepage74]

Awesome video as always Matt!

[@Flacco-p5k]

Those Bluegill are epic! Thanks Matt!

[@billycraighead9814]

This is my favorite show on you tube.

[@eric1richards]

One of my favorite fishing memories is top water bluegill fishing with my fly rod on a tiny lake in Utah. Using little poppers or grasshopper flies. We could catch dozens each day that were 10-12”. They are such great fighters.

[@JRec-ql5fc]

Crappie crack me up. Big bluegills with a bass mouth.

[@waitaminute7257]

Wow I'd love to get into some of those big sunfish!

[@FISHER-GIRL_24.]

Your videos are great keep going

[@paultharp4626]

Use to fish almost same setup for Crappie (bobber and tube jig) at the mouth of a Marina.. the boat wakes moved the jig up and down - produced lots of hits 👍

[@FinsNFeathers]

My favorite fishing KZbinr!

[@brianathern9154]

Great time on the water Matt. Hard to beat drifting small jigs under the slip bobbers (Mick Thill once corrected me at an outdoor show near Chicago...They're floats man) whatever you like calling them it's a blast. Definitely like chop on the water...does most of the work for you. The mixed bag of fish and mystery of what you hooked are a bonus. Blessings buddy

[@manks5491]

Subbed. Your channel is amazing. The Bob Ross of fishing

[@dreadnorth8745]

Would you ever make a video about your rod and bait setups for different fish? Love the content, and I'm interested in bass fishing, but I am not familiar with most of the gear.

[@findmyat]

Man I watch you all the time in English class. You're the best!

[@VladimirAvseyevich]

Very nice and informative video. Learned something new. Thank u.

[@GoneOffTheGrid]

I also walk around with my shirt and socks tucked in like a nerd in the spring.

[@waynewurst3487]

Doesn't matter what you look like keeping ticks off of you is pretty smart

[@wayne-oo]

Another great outing ! If you were to buy another kayak what would it be ?

[@MrWesd93]

Making me want to move home to Minnesota, I miss being 30 minutes from 30 lakes... now its 30 minutes to 4 over fished ponds in Louisville

[@SirensOfSEWI]

Please consider trying for pike at this lake sometime!! Would be a cool vid

[@TURBOLOVER-dy7ij]

Amazing content !!!! Respect from Russia !

[@Csteph205]

one of my favorite little lakes.....so jealous.

[@blackbreezo4007]

The bird sounds are relaxing!!

[@Badkharma21]

those were some chunks of panfish. surprised you did not keep any crappie for the grease!

[@michaelsimko7694]

Those 8"+ bullgills and pumpkinseeds sure do put up a fight for their size. And pumpkinseeds are usually more willing to hit than a bluegill normally would.

[@Aidan_Eh]

thank you so much for takin me along with you on this relaxing, beautiful excursion 🙏👀... this one Matt, this is one of your best imo ... see you on the next an above all, stay safe out there bro... buh bye from Central Canada 👋🤓 p.s i had a bigger comment with a few time stamps but something happened an my yt page switched to a new page😭😭😭... i do have that "auto play" option turned off so i dont know what happened.. but im a dope at computer stuff sooooo , yea 😏... lol 🙄🙄...

[@martyhenderson1995]

How soft is the seat do you have enough cushion it looks like my back would hurt afterwards but I guess it's comfortable enough for yourself Good fishing and keep the videos coming I love watching them

[@bobrich1950]

Matt, if i saw it correctly, it seems you use a small spilt shot as your bobber stop ?? Generally speaking, what depth do you typically set it at ? Thanks.

[@Scully176]

This sis probably the dude that made fish brain app😂 he is just that good at it

[@jonathanbranum8976]

Best part of being in the Kayak with ya, I wasn't actually in the kayak--hehehe...my balance is the shits currently, Stroke Recovery...luv listening/watching you though eh... ;p

[@jhipstyle77able]

Nice spot you got there. Keep that spot a secret. Your nice little slice of paradise

[@JonkDanube]

never knew you had merch! picked up a decal for my kayak and a shirt!

[@crazy88909]

Great Video! hope to get out there myself soon.

[@сергеймарков-я8ъ]

always fun.thanks

[@svengalt9546]

He is back at it again!

[@joesmanifesto730]

Caught my first crappie today on my cross country move ! Nice video

[@NorthWoodsWes]

Matt's got that right. Ticks are hellish this Spring. They're everywhere. 😢

[@bradmallery435]

Do you just leave your cart on the bank, or does it break down and store somewhere?

[@ndyakangler]

I bike lock it to a tree at this spot. There’s usually several people that will walk down there while I’m on the water and I don’t want my cart to wander off.

[@upallnyte2000]

It’s good to mix up the catch of the day, good video.

[@logoson938]

Awesome fishing bro !

[@brucevonah511]

Nice knotty headed bluegill

[@RayKooter]

Those ones you’re calling blue gill with the big mouths are green sunfish I believe. That’s what we call them here in Oklahoma anyway. They’ll bite anything. I catch them all the time on accident fishing for large mouths. They’re like a blue gill with with a bass mouth😂 I catch them on top waters a lot for some reason. Whopper plopper, rats, frogs.

[@ndyakangler]

I believe they were listed as hybrid sunfish on a DNR survey or something I saw them listed on. They’re not that common up here so the first time I hooked into one I was a little confused lol.

[@RayKooter]

@@ndyakangler Nice! That one was a fatty for sure. Never seen one that big. I can see where they’d be a hybrid since they’re lighter than the suns but darker than the blue gills. The suns are usually pretty dark that I catch here in OK.

[@NanoFishRoom8]

I use trout magnets and catch tons lol

[@isaacford4160]

I’m going walleye and crappie fishing Tuesday

[@chadsmith5146]

No thank you sir for the video thank you for taking me with you catching some good crappie

[@DanKoning777]

You're a better man than me Matt-it would kill me not to fish for bass in water that looked like this. Great content just the same, and worth more 👍 than I'm able to give. Btw; years back I used to have a bobber named "Frazier"-and every time I got a bite you'd hear: "Down goes Frazier." For those unfamiliar with the phrase, search boxings: Frazier vs Foreman [1973].

[@joepastori616]

The bobber said down goes Frazier?? That’s sick

[@DanKoning777]

@@joepastori616 // I said "Down goes Frazier" whenever I got a bite. How could a plastic bobber say anything?

[@RideAcrossTheRiver]

That nymph imitation might serve well on a trout stream! Maybe a darker olive or brown shade.

[@roysaari3028]

Crappie fest!! Thanks, Matt!!!

[@Bassboy94]

Thanks for giving us so much tips and baits to use! ❤😊

[@antoninanderson2015]

Always good to see your video's

[@HookinDinks]

crushed em man. Looks like I may need to size down my jigs...

[@yabigman3]

Was just wondering if you ever eat any of the fish you catch Matt? I dont think ive ever seen you string any up. Always catch and release. Not a bad thing, just wondering. Another nice video. Thanks for the content.

[@RockyMtnBlues]

Saw a lot of people recommending your channel on a reddit post. Decided to check the channel out and now I'm going down the rabbit hole of videos. Great work. What part of MN do you fish?

[@scottm.4091]

Will crappie just suspend in deeper water with no cover? Seems kinda boring and unsafe just hanging out without cover.

[@FishAndFrogTv]

I love your videos

[@johnchristian6620]

What are those bobber stops you use? They look so easy and convenient!

[@ndyakangler]

I’m not sure if they have a certain name, I think they’re just standard slip bobber stops. They come wrapped around a little plastic tube and you slip the knot on to your line and tighten it up.

[@Michdave700]

Thill makes them, along with a great selection of float types and sizes.

[@gismoogity]

10/10 flippy spinny.

[@dee6338]

I've been using this lure called the crappie king it's a underspin with a mister twister catches crappie gills bass even pike

[@ardisbell2923]

Been Watching for some time now, recently subscribed. Just got a kayak this year and been out a bunch lately. Going crappie fishing in the morning and wanted to know if you have any tips. I live in Des Moines IA. Was wondering if you have fished any of our lakes or ponds

[@crazy88909]

What do river smallies like during the late spring?

[@Bobert_113]

Do more pan fish videos

[@logmaster27]

I wish I had spots like this to fish. Maybe I do and just don’t know about them?…haha. Everywhere I fish is loaded with other people.

[@danieljones1251]

NDYak, How early was this when filmed? Im pretty new into fising and i cant seem to have any luck bass fishing during the day. I only have luck past 7-8 pm . im in upstate NY too btw.

[@thesteveshowfoodfestroadtest]

Still hunting crappie up here in Northern Manitoba! Double digits into pike, though, so all good! 7 nights solo camp n fish! Vids on KZbin!

[@haisyburner5603]

I’ve been having trouble catching fish this spring would love some advice

[@edkennard72]

Matt, what size is that kayak that you're using for paddling? Is that a 10 and 1/2?

[@ndyakangler]

I have a 12’ kayak.

[@josephabeytajosephabeyta9305]

Good one

[@enfiestado]

Hey man I really love your fishing videos I’m new to fishing do you think you can make some videos reviewing fishing gear

[@CaiaqueiroTrespontano3848]

Mais um escritó aqui do Brasil pesco de Caique também otimo esporte abraço 👍