Extended Half Day Bass And Crappie Trip
Private Trip
Lakes/Reservoirs/Ponds Fishing
Sixhour private fishing trip targets largemouth bass and crappieModern boat features live scope and active target fishing technologyExpert captain provides guidance for all skill levels
Picture this: you're heading out on Mississippi's prime waters at 7:30 AM with Captain Garrett McWilliams, who knows these lakes like the back of his hand. This isn't your typical three-hour rush job – you've got a full six hours to really work the water and dial in on some serious Largemouth Bass and Crappie. Whether you've been fishing these species for decades or you're still figuring out the difference between a spinnerbait and a jig, Garrett's got the patience and know-how to put you on fish. The best part? It's just you and one other angler, so you're getting personalized attention the whole time.
When you step aboard Garrett's boat, you'll immediately notice this isn't some bare-bones operation. We're talking live scope and active target technology – the kind of fish-finding gear that lets you literally watch bass swimming around structure before you even drop your line. Garrett runs light tackle setups that make every fight feel like you're wrestling a monster, even if it's a keeper-sized crappie. The extended timeframe means you're not constantly checking your watch; instead, you can settle into a rhythm, learn the nuances of how these fish behave in different parts of the lake, and actually enjoy the process. Morning bite typically fires up right around our start time, and with six hours ahead, you'll have plenty of opportunities to hit multiple spots as conditions change throughout the day.
Forget the heavy artillery – this trip is all about finesse fishing that puts you in direct contact with every head shake and run. Garrett specializes in light tackle approaches that transform a two-pound bass into a memorable battle. We're talking spinning reels with 8-12 pound test, maybe some fluorocarbon leaders when the fish get finicky. For crappie, you'll be working with ultra-light setups that let you feel every subtle tap and nibble. The live scope technology becomes your underwater eyes, showing you exactly where fish are holding and how they react to your presentation. Garrett will walk you through reading the screen, understanding what those arches and marks mean, and timing your casts to actively feeding fish. It's like fishing with x-ray vision, and once you experience it, regular blind casting feels like you're fishing with one hand tied behind your back.
The Largemouth Bass in these Ridgeland waters are the stars of the show, and for good reason. These chunky green machines average between 2-5 pounds, with legitimate shots at fish pushing 6-7 pounds if the stars align. Spring through early summer is prime time when they're staging for the spawn, making them aggressive and predictable. You'll find them relating to submerged timber, rocky points, and vegetation lines where they ambush baitfish. What makes catching them here so addictive is their fighting style – these aren't the skinny, jumping Florida-strain bass you might be used to. Mississippi largemouths are thick-bodied bruisers that pull hard and dig deep, testing every knot and drag setting on your light tackle setup.
Crappie fishing here is a completely different game but equally rewarding. These paper-mouthed slab masters typically run 10-14 inches, with the occasional 15-16 inch fish that'll have you grinning ear to ear. They're schooling fish, which means when Garrett locates them on the electronics, you're often looking at steady action rather than the hit-or-miss nature of bass fishing. Peak crappie season runs from late winter through spring when they move shallow for spawning, but the deep timber and brush piles hold fish year-round. The light tackle makes every crappie feel significant, and there's something deeply satisfying about the subtle bite detection required to consistently hook these finicky feeders. Plus, they're some of the best eating fish that swim, so you're looking at both sport and supper.
Six hours with a top-rated guide who actually knows how to put you on fish – that's what separates this trip from the cookie-cutter operations running three-hour tours. You'll leave with a better understanding of how to read electronics, present baits with light tackle, and locate fish in different seasonal patterns. Garrett's not just rowing you around hoping for the best; he's actively teaching and adjusting tactics based on what the fish are telling him through that high-tech sonar. The 7:30 AM start gets you on the water during prime feeding times, and the extended format means you're not rushed through the learning process. Whether you're a local angler looking to up your game or visiting Mississippi for some world-class fishing, this is the kind of trip that changes how you approach bass and crappie fishing. Just remember, deposits are non-refundable, so commit when you're ready to fish.
Meet your fishing platform for the day - a 2023 Nitro Bassmaster that's built specifically for serious bass and crappie action on Ridgeland's lakes. This 20-foot skiff cuts through the water with a powerful 250HP Mercury engine, getting you to the hot spots quickly and quietly. The boat's equipped with GPS navigation and a fish finder to locate those deep-water crappie schools and structure-holding bass. With room for just two anglers, you'll have plenty of space to work your tackle without bumping elbows. The shallow draft design lets Captain McWilliams position you over submerged cover and along weedlines where the big ones like to hide. The live scope and active target technology gives you a real-time view of what's happening below, turning every cast into a strategic move rather than blind luck.
Pomoxis NigromaculatusCrappie are perfect for anglers wanting steady action and a fish fry worth bragging about. These schooling fish run 7-12 inches and travel in groups, so when you find one, you'll usually find more. Look for them suspended around brush piles, fallen trees, and creek channels in 8-20 feet of water. Spring spawning season is dynamite, but they bite year-round if you know where to look. What guests love most is the delicate white meat - some of the best eating you'll find in freshwater. They're also great for kids since they're willing biters. Here's my Mississippi secret: use our live scope to locate the schools first, then drop small jigs or live minnows right into the middle of them. Takes the guesswork out and keeps the action hot.
Micropterus SalmoidesLargemouth bass are the crown jewel of our Mississippi lakes, averaging 12-24 inches and putting up one heck of a fight. These green fighters love hiding around submerged timber, weed lines, and drop-offs in 3-15 feet of water. Spring through fall are prime times, but early morning and late evening really turn them on. What makes them special? That massive mouth can inhale prey twice what you'd expect, and when hooked, they'll jump and run like nothing else. Plus, they make excellent table fare when kept from clean water. My go-to local trick: work a Texas-rigged worm slow along those cypress stumps. The bass here are used to seeing fast-moving lures, so that patient approach often triggers strikes when nothing else will.
Mississippi