On this episode of the Black Speck Fishing Podcast, JD sits down with Craig Robertson — a traveling tournament angler whose last few weeks have been nothing short of an adventure. From equipment failures on Grenada, to a lifesaving assist at the boat ramp, to a Buc-ee’s pit stop on the way to Kentucky, Craig’s journey is packed with stories that every crappie angler can relate to.
Craig breaks down what really happened with his crappie brakes at the Crappie Masters on Grenada, how PTG Outdoors came through in the clutch, and what he learned from fishing one of the most challenging lakes in the country. Then we follow him to Kentucky’s Cumberland Lake for the National Crappie League tournament — and yes, we get his honest review of Buc-ee’s.
But Craig’s story isn’t just about tournaments. It’s about heart.
He shares his passion for the HOI Crappie Trail, his insights on local lakes like Shelbyville, Banner Marsh, Decatur, Clinton, and Rend, and why he’s committed to supporting youth anglers through the CICC trail. His dedication to the next generation shines through every word.
This episode is full of laughs, lessons, and the kind of real‑life fishing moments that remind us why we love this sport. Craig’s willingness to travel, compete, and invest in young anglers makes his story one worth hearing.

Craig “The Crappie Cowboy” Nichols joins the show for a wide‑open conversation that spans two worlds most people never connect—bull riding and competitive crappie fishing. Craig shares what life was really like in the rodeo arena, how the toughness and discipline he learned there shaped his journey on the water, and the path that led him to becoming a national champion crappie angler. We dive into his upcoming run at Crappie Fest on Lake Fork, the techniques and gear he trusts when the stakes are high, and why innovations like crappie brakes are changing the way serious anglers control their boats. It’s a story of grit, transition, and mastery from one of the sport’s most respected voices.

In this episode, we open we take a deep dive into proper crappie rod and reel setups and what truly separates high‑quality gear from everything else on the water. Andy Lehman, founder of ACC Crappie Stix, breaks down how each rod in the ACC lineup is engineered for power, balance, and sensitivity, and why matching the right rod, reel, and line is the key to fishing at a higher level.
Andy explains how ACC was built around one mission: creating stronger, more sensitive, purpose‑built rods designed specifically for real crappie anglers and real crappie techniques. We explore the performance differences across the ACC lineup—Super Grips, Green Series, dock‑shooting rods, trolling rods, vertical jigging models, rear‑seat rods, and youth rods—and how each model delivers superior feel and control for its intended style of fishing.