To make a drop-shot rig work properly in Michiana waters, experiment with rigging techniques. Getting the right set-up can make a bigger difference.

Water depth and cover are keys to how I determine the leader distance between my hook and weight and how I rig the lure.

Anyone who's fished North America's best bass lakes in recent seasons has seen the signs: Clearing waters; schools of trophy bass shifting deeper and deeper; tournament game plans revolving around off-shore structure, anglers mining small, specific sections of underwater real estate.

On May 15, 2018, Lionel "Jam" Ferguson made fishing history by landing a giant 5 lb. 7.68 oz crappie on a pond near Philadelphia, Tennessee. This fish vastly exceeded the state's previous record of 4 lbs. 4 oz caught in 1985.

Not only did this fish make the state record books, but it also made world history. The previous world record was 5 lbs. even. Therefore, after a genetic and weight confirmation, Ferguson became the new black crappie world record holder.