Shows
Brilliant Fishing NCWhen Black Crappie Won’t Bite: Brush Piles, Open Water, and Finesse TacticsWhen 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 the subtle adjustments that matter most: presentation speed, jig size and fall rate, electronics decisions, and finesse tactics that can turn lookers into biters.
🎙️ Guests on this episode:
* Scott Ferguson – Fishing W...
2026-01-201h 06Brilliant Fishing NCDerek Kelly: Expert Strategies for Inshore Sheepshead Fishing — Brilliant Fishing NC PodcastDerek 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 background, memorable catches, and tips for fishing the Carolina coast effectively.
Topics covered:
Choosing the right rod, reel, and leader setup
Best baits for Sheepshead: fiddler crabs, barnacles, and urchins
Unders...
2025-10-2839 minBrilliant Fishing NCWinter Crappie Secrets: Open Water Strategies with Chris Hammill | Brilliant Fishing PodcastBundle 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, following baitfish across main-lake basins and creek mouths. In this episode, Chris explains how to locate and catch winter crappie using Livescope, traditional sonar, and subtle presentation changes that make all the difference.
...
2025-10-2240 minBrilliant Fishing NCClayton Eudy on Crappie Strategy, Community Tournaments, and Mastering LiveScopeIn 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 fishing circles. Whether you're an experienced angler or just getting into tournaments, this episode is packed with insight.
🎣 Topics Covered:
Clayton’s fishing background and first b...
2025-07-061h 06
Brilliant Fishing NCFishing With Heroes: Operation North State's Mission to Serve Disabled Veterans | Terry SnyderIn 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, upcoming events, and how YOU can get involved.
👉 Visit Operation North State: http://www.operationnorthstate.com
📘 Follow ONS on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1000645080...
2025-04-1152 min
Brilliant Fishing NCWOOO! Big Crappie, Fishing Secrets & High-Energy Stories with Ralphie Hollifield!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 fish down in the mud" theory—are they catchable?
✅ Ralphie’s recent monster catches and the stories behind them
✅ Some trade secrets you won’t want to miss!
✅ His thoughts...
2025-03-311h 11
Brilliant Fishing NCLive Bait Fishing Below Dams: Pro Tips from a Retired Game Warden! (Catfish & Striper Secrets)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
✔️ Water safety tips when fishing below a dam
✔️ Insider stories from a lifetime on the water
✔️ Fishing legends- "Catfish as big as Volkswage...
2025-03-1946 min
Brilliant Fishing NC🔥 National Crappie League at High Rock Lake: Low Water Changes the Game! 🎣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 crappie fishing, this is one episode you won’t want to miss! Plus, Jason will share an update on the channel, where we are headed next, as well as a devoti...
2025-02-0524 minBrilliant Fishing NCKevin Blevins: From Tournament Roots to Trophy Crappie—A 4-Pound High Rock Lake LegendJoin 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 stories, and a behind-the-scenes look at the life of a dedicated crappie angler. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a weekend enthusiast, this episode is packed with...
2025-01-2832 minBrilliant Fishing NCCrappie Fishing Secrets Revealed: Surprising Findings & Expert InsightsIn 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. 🎣
2025-01-221h 07Brilliant Fishing NCExpert Fall & Winter Fishing Tips for the Yadkin River: Crappie & Catfish Secrets with Chris HammillJoin 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 is packed with advice, stories, and actionable tips you don’t want to miss. Tune in and learn from one of the most well-rounded outdoorsmen in our area!
2024-12-0355 minBrilliant Fishing NCTalking Big Badin Blues with Jeff King [King of the Lake Guide Service]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
2024-11-0836 minBrilliant Fishing NCCrappie Biology with NCWRC's District 6 Biologist Troy ThompsonOne 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 free to reach out to Troy: Troy Thompson // District 6 Fisheries Biologist I Division of Inland Fisheries NC Wildlife Resources Commission 1721 Mail Service Center Raleigh NC 27699...
2024-10-1145 minBrilliant Fishing NCCrappie Fishing the Yadkin River with Newell MontgomeryNewell 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.
2024-08-0244 minBrilliant Fishing NCExpert Catfishing Tips with Marc Gioeli: Bait, Tackle, and Seasonal Strategies for High Rock LakeMarc Gioeli of “Cats On The Rock” Guide Service https://www.facebook.com/cats.on.the.rock.guide.service https://www.catsontherockguideservice.com
2024-07-2439 minBrilliant Fishing NCMastering Striped Bass Fishing: Expert Guide's Tips & Techniques with Captain Peter MalecCapt. Pete shares tips and trick for trolling artificial baits for stripers and hybrids.
Connect with Pete:
https://www.facebook.com/BOLOcharters
2024-07-1657 minBrilliant Fishing NCMastering Tournament Crappie Fishing: Chris Miller's Pro Tips for Livescope and Other Advanced TechniquesChris 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.
2024-07-1043 minBrilliant Fishing NCSummer Surf Fishing//Sand Fleas//Spanish & BluesGlenn Allen comes by the podcast nook and talks summer/fall surf fishing opportunities, tips, strategies, and locations.
2024-05-3058 minBrilliant Fishing NCSpring OBX Bull Reds in the SurfGlenn 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.
2024-03-2851 minBrilliant Fishing NCFormer Game Warden Talks Spring Fishing on the YadkinContact us at Brilliant Fishing: brilliantfishingnc@gmail.com
Tony’s Shad-N-Ator page:
https://www.facebook.com/shadnator
2024-03-0629 minBrilliant Fishing NCStriper and Hybrid Biology [with Casey Joubert, NC Fisheries' Biologist] Podcast #003Insights into NC's stocked Striped Bass & Hybrid Striped Bass biology from Casey Joubert, District 6 Biologist:
910-729-0872
Casey.joubert@ncwildlife.org
2024-02-2628 minBrilliant Fishing NCSecrets for Springtime Slabs [with Shane Walser] Podcast #002This 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
2024-02-2426 minBrilliant Fishing NCFly Fishing for NC Trout [with Nick and Sara Freeman] Podcast #001In this episode, Nick and Sara Freeman (of NC Rivers and Ridges guide service) talk about the great opportunities that exist to target NC’s three species of mountain trout and how to get started for those who are perhaps intimidated to try fly fishing. Tips, resources and more! Connect with Nick and Sara at ncriversandridges.com
2024-02-2448 min