Brilliant Fishing NC

High Rock Lake crappie fishing doesn’t have to be complicated. In this episode of the Brilliant Fishing NC Podcast, Captain Butch Foster of Yeah Right Charters shares his simple, highly effective system for catching crappie on High Rock Lake using short rods, live minnows, precise boat positioning, and modern electronics like LiveScope. A Davidson County native and longtime charter captain, Butch spent decades running saltwat...

When black crappie shut down, finesse is the difference. Black crappie are notorious for being tight-lipped—especially on pressured lakes where they dominate the population. In this episode of Brilliant Fishing NC, we sit down with two highly knowledgeable crappie anglers to break down what actually works when black crappie refuse to bite. From summer brush piles to suspended open-water schools, this conversation focuses on t...

Derek Kelly, administrator of the 74,000-member Carolina Inshore Fishing Facebook community, joins Brilliant Fishing NC to share proven strategies for catching one of the most challenging inshore species — the Sheepshead.

In this episode, Derek discusses tackle setups, bait selection, reading structure, and how to detect the light “tap-tap” bite that makes Sheepshead so tricky. You’ll also hear about his bac...

Bundle up and get ready for a winter crappie masterclass! Host Jason Brilliant welcomes back expert angler and outdoorsman Chris Hammill on the Brilliant Fishing Podcast to talk all things open-water winter crappie fishing — from finding suspended schools to fine-tuning your tackle, electronics, and strategy for cold-weather slabs.

When water temperatures drop, crappie don’t go deep — they school up in open water,...

In this episode of Brilliant Fishing, we're joined by Clayton Eudy — rising crappie tournament angler, community builder, and local musician. From learning to fish on Flat Swamp as a kid, to running the High Rock Crappie Club, Clayton brings both wisdom and humor to the world of tournament crappie fishing.

We cover everything from LiveScope tactics and shallow brush piles to building a culture of knowledge-sharing in local fi...

In this powerful episode of Brilliant Fishing NC, we sit down with Terry Snyder, founder of Operation North State (ONS) — a life-changing nonprofit dedicated to providing fishing trips and outdoor outings for disabled veterans and wounded warriors.

🎖️ Learn how ONS got started, who they serve, and how host boaters play a crucial role in making these special events possible. Terry also shares inspiring stories from the water,...

This episode is WOOO-packed with energy as Ralphie Hollifield—fishing guide, content creator, and all-around legend—shows up in a Ric Flair costume and drops some serious crappie fishing knowledge! 🏆🎣

We dive into: ✅ How to target big open-water crappie in deep and shallow lakes ✅ Seasonal crappie migration patterns and how to stay on the bite ✅ Boat control & sonar tips for better fish identification ✅ The "big f...

Are you ready to unlock the secrets of fishing below dams? In this exclusive interview, retired game warden Tony Sharum shares decades of experience fishing with live bait—threadfin and gizzard shad—to catch monster catfish and striped bass.

https://cubecarolinas.com/lake-levels/

https://www.facebook.com/shadnator

🚀 Topics Covered:

✔️ Best rigs and techniques for live bait fishing

✔️ How to catch and keep shad alive

✔...

The National Crappie League is bringing its Wild Card Tournament to High Rock Lake, but there’s a major twist—water levels are at significantly low levels! In this episode of Brilliant Fishing NC, we break down how this changes everything for anglers competing in the event. Will the usual trophy crappie spots be off-limits? How will anglers adjust their strategy? If you’re fishing this tournament or just love crap...

Join us for a special episode of Brilliant Fishing NC as we sit down with Kevin Blevins, a seasoned crappie angler who’s making waves in the fishing world. Kevin shares his journey from early fishing memories to becoming a respected name in tournament crappie fishing. We dive deep into the story behind his jaw-dropping 4+ pound crappie at High Rock Lake and explore his goals and challenges for 2025. Get expert tips, inspiring...

Join us for a laid-back, podcast-style conversation with Chris Hammill, the Yadkin River’s favorite fishing expert and a true outdoorsman. In this episode, we dive into the best fishing opportunities on the Yadkin River chain of lakes this Fall and Winter. From targeting trophy catfish to landing slabs of crappie, Chris shares insider tips to help every angler succeed. Whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting, this chat...

One of NCWRC's district 6 biologists, Troy Thompson, talks to us about the current health/status of (mostly black) crappie in the Yadkin & Catawba chains of lakes in the NC Piedmont. We discuss: - aging fish - stunted populations - which lakes have higher/lesser recruitment - what causes some lakes to have larger/smaller fish - the effect of the removal of the size & creel limits on the Yadkin lakes For more answers, feel f...