Brilliant Fishing NC

Summer Crappie Fishing: Brush Piles & LiveScope Tips with Capt. Scott Ferguson

One of the biggest questions new anglers ask is simple: Where can I go fishing? In this episode of the Brilliant Fishing NC Podcast, I talk about how to find new fishing spots, especially when you’re new to a lake, new to fishing, or just trying to be more successful with your time on the water. We’ll talk about why finding fish is not just about getting someone’s secret spot, but learning the pat...

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...

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, 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 ab...

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...

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...

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 inspi...

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 i...

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...

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...

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 202...

In this episode, we dive deep into the data and discoveries from our collaboration with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission’s biologist and crappie guide Chris Miller. 🎣

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 pr...

Jeff King of King of the Lake Guide Service tells us about how he catches trophy-sized catfish consistently on the Yadkin chain of lakes using basic techniques. Connect with Jeff: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61552095145329 or call 704 574 9276

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 Ya...

Newell Montgomery, a co-organizer of the Yadkin River Crappie Trail shares some stories, insights, and tips on catching fat Yadkin River slabs as well as discussing faith, egg rolls, and the brotherhood enjoyed among fishermen.

Marc Gioeli of “Cats On The Rock” Guide Service https://www.facebook.com/cats.on.the.rock.guide.service https://www.catsontherockguideservice.com

Capt. Pete shares tips and trick for trolling artificial baits for stripers and hybrids.  Connect with Pete:  https://www.facebook.com/BOLOcharters

Chris Miller of Milroc Crappie Guides (336) 309-9835) gives tips on how to catch the biggest slabs, as well as tournament fishing tips and suggestions. 

Glenn Allen comes by the podcast nook and talks summer/fall surf fishing opportunities, tips, strategies, and locations. 

Glenn Allen, an avid surf angler shares tips, tricks, secrets on catching citation-sized red drum from the OBX.  Feedback, comments, suggestions? Reach out to us at brilliantfishingnc at gmail.com. 

Contact us at Brilliant Fishing: brilliantfishingnc@gmail.com Tony’s Shad-N-Ator page: https://www.facebook.com/shadnator

Insights into NC's stocked Striped Bass & Hybrid Striped Bass biology from Casey Joubert, District 6 Biologist: 910-729-0872 Casey.joubert@ncwildlife.org

This episode features spring (pre-spawn, spawn) tactics for crappie, with special guest, Shane Walser of Yadkin Lakes Crappie Guides. Tactics, baits, locations, and more! To contact Shane Walser: 336-978-3737 https://www.facebook.com/Yadkinlakescrappieguides