Crappie University 2025 “Crappie Fishing’s Newest Insights” consists of 3 course nights, with each class covering a different topic(s) and taught by a different instructor(s). Course sessions include: Best Crappie Rigs and Techniques for the Region, In-Depth Training on Dock Shooting and Other Fish-Targeting Tactics, and Making the Most of Forward-Facing Technology. All instructors are crappie fishing guides and/or crappie fishing experts. Instruction is taught in a classroom setting and includes multimedia presentations and hands-on demonstrations. All sessions are relevant to waters and techniques for catching crappie in and around the Indiana region. Each class ends with a Q & A session that allows students to ask questions specific to that night’s presentation. The registration fee includes a lure sample pack for the course.
TOPICS AND INSTRUCTORS
Night 1
Feb. 4, 2025, 6:30 – 9 p.m.
“In-Depth Training on Dock Shooting and Other Fish-Targeting Tactics”
Doug Sikora
Doug Sikora of Noblesville, IN, is as good a boat crappie angler as there is in the country … his trophy collection of top tournament finishes across multiple state lines is proof. However, Doug is also passionate about ice fishing for the species. His favorite approach for that technique is to travel light and walk as far as needed to get to the best spots and then drill lots of holes. But even before the holes, there is a method to his madness and a full set of keys to how he goes about his preparations to ensure success. Whether from the boat or on foot, Doug can do it all, and he’s one of the best crappie fishing communicators in the business as to what works to catch crappie and why. That’s why his nickname to those who know him best is “The Crappie Professor.”
Night 2
Feb. 11, 2025, 6:30 – 9 p.m.
“Making the Most of Forward-Facing Technology”
Tom Hankins
Tom Hankins lives in Mooresville, IN, and considers his home waters to be Monroe Lake, Lake Cataract and Lake Lemon. His experience goes well beyond just those places though, thanks in part to years of traveling the pro crappie tournament trails where he has amassed wins all along the way. He developed a passion for fishing at an early age when his family lived in Illinois and traveled every year to Minnesota for two weeks of fishing and where crappie dominated their catches. No longer a tournament angler, he spends most of his water time now learning more about the species through use of forward-facing sonar, often fishing-slow from a kayak, and then sharing the knowledge with others who have a common interest in the sport and crappie. He says one thing he’s learned for sure, “crappie are everywhere!”
Night 3
Feb. 18, 2025, 6:30 – 9 p.m.
“Best Crappie Rigs and Techniques for the Region”
Jim Dant
The only thing Eureka, MO, angler Jim Dant likes as much as catching crappie, is teaching other anglers what he knows on how to catch the species. Although he lives near St. Louis, his passion for crappie fishing has given him several “home” lakes and therefore a treasure chest of fish-catching knowledge for a variety of conditions and waters everywhere. He has frequent experience on several of the country’s top crappie places, including Lake of the Ozarks, Lake of Egypt, Carlyle Lake and Reelfoot. Once a national touring crappie pro, Dant is now more about going fishing for fun and introducing others to the activity. He fishes year-round for the species, but especially likes the winter timeframe. He loves “reading” the water and adjusting techniques to the conditions at hand. Creek channels, stump beds and lily pads really get him excited.